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Join NowIowa Democratic Party Leaders Add Their Names to Letter Urging Elizabeth Warren to Run for President in 2016
** See the letter and complete list of Iowa Democratic Party Leaders who signed it below **
IOWA — Eighteen additional Democratic Party leaders from across Iowa have joined with Run Warren Run supporters from around the country in urging Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to run for President in 2016.
In a letter, re-released on Thursday, 18 Democratic Party leaders join 16 previous signers in counties and cities across the state in a letter citing Sen. Warren’s record as a tireless advocate for working families and calling on the issue’s biggest champion to join the 2016 presidential contest.
The full letter is below:
Our country is at a crossroads. The rich get richer, but middle-class families and those struggling to make it into the middle class work harder while falling further behind. Income inequality is at its highest since 1928 and wages remain too low. The game is rigged.
If you work hard, if you play by the rules, it doesn’t matter where your parents were born, what color your skin is, whether you’re a woman or man, or who you love—you should be respected in our society, you should be valued, and you should be able to make ends meet. You should be able to walk down the street without fear. You should be able to live on a sustainable planet. And your voice should count in our democracy. Washington can no longer be run by lobbyists, the powerful, and corporate interests for their own advantage.
As the 2016 presidential campaign begins, it is time for Democrats to be bold, to stand for something, to propose innovative, inspiring solutions to our nation’s toughest challenges, and to stand strong for core American values.
We need leaders who aren’t afraid to tell the truth, and fight back—no matter what powerful interests say—and we need all the candidates in the caucus to offer a bold vision for an economy that works for all Americans.
Contested caucuses test and strengthen candidates and ensure progressives have a chance to make our voices heard. Having a real debate is what democracy is all about.
That’s why Americans from all walks of life have risen up to encourage Senator Elizabeth Warren to run for President. Sen. Warren is a fighter for middle-class and working families who has stood up to the corporate interests and Wall Street banks. I urge Elizabeth Warren to run for President in 2016.
One thing Iowans value is the first-in-the-nation caucus, and a chance for candidates to come into our homes and libraries and community centers to talk to real voters. We look forward to all the candidates coming to Iowa to share their views about the critical issues that matter to us.
The latest signers of the letter include:
- Heather Chamberlin-Ryan, East Des Moines Democratic Party Vice-Chair
- John Colombo, Franklin County Democratic Party Chair
- Maria Dickmann, Davenport School Board Member
- Dan Friedrichs, Boone County Democratic Party Chair
- Marcia Fulton, Union County Democratic Party Chair
- Laura Hubka, Howard County Democratic Party Chair
- Maggie Rawland, Move to Amend Des Moines Vice-Chair
- Rosemary Schwartz, Benton County Democratic Party Chair
- Stephanie Schwinn, Bremer County Democratic Party Chair
- Justin Scott, Delaware County Democratic Party Vice-Chair
- Bryce Smith, Candidate for Iowa State House
- Carol Smith, Union County Democratic Party Vice-Chair
- Julie Stewart, Dallas County Democratic Party Chair
- Joe Stutler, Iowa Democratic Veterans Caucus Vice-Chair
- Jim Throgmorton, Iowa City Council Member
- Carolyn Walker, Move to Amend Des Moines Chair
- Beth Winterhof, Cherokee County Democratic Party Vice-Chair
- Kerry Waughtal, East Des Moines Democratic Party Secretary
Here’s what some of the latest signers had to say about Sen. Elizabeth Warren and why they want her to run for President in 2016:
“Senator Warren is a progressive voice and isn’t afraid to push the democratic party to where it should be. She’s fearless and one of the few politicians who stand up for the American people and does the right thing.” – John Colombo, Franklin County Democratic Party Chair.
“She’s unapologetic and unafraid to go after Wall Street, big banks, and the status quo in Washington. She’s a breath of fresh air for American politics.” – Justin Scott, Delaware County Democratic Party Vice-Chair.
“I support Elizabeth Warren because she believes in returning to the values and principles that made our country successful. Economic and social fairness, equal opportunities, courage, and strengthening the working and middle classes.” – Stephanie Schwinn, Bremer County Democratic Party Chair.
“I’m very passionate about saving our democracy from the power of corporate personhood. Particularly, my parents were immigrants and our democracy is about opportunity for all. I am very pleased we have a woman named Elizabeth Warren who is feisty and strong and will not back off when presented with opposition” – Maggie Rawland, Move to Amend Des Moines Vice-Chair.
“I support Elizabeth Warren because I have watched her fight against the tide, against all who said that she couldn’t and shouldn’t; she has fought diligently for the middle class and poor. She is knowledgeable and is working to stand up against corporations, banks and Wall Street and even the President (in reference to the Trans Pacific Partnership) to remove the barriers that are increasingly making the wealthy wealthier, and the poor, poorer.” – Beth Winterhoff, Cherokee County Democratic Party Vice-Chair.
The original signers of the letter include:
- Robert Bell, Madison County Democratic Party Chair
- Kimberley Boggus, Des Moines Activist
- Tim Bottaro, Former Democratic Party State Central Committee Member
- Mike Carberry, Johnson County Supervisor
- Gerene Denning, Johnson County Central Committee Member
- George Ensley, Boone County Democratic Party Co-Chair
- Ed Fallon, Former State Representative & Former Gubernatorial Candidate
- Neil Morgan, Ringgold County Democratic Party Chair
- Don Paulson, Muscatine County Democratic Party Chair
- Kevin Perkins, Small Business Owner, Davenport
- Heather Ryan, East Des Moines Democratic Party ChairDave Somsky, Former Woodbury County Democratic Party Chair
- Dave Somsky, Former Woodbury County Democratic Party Chair
- Veronica Tessler, Small Business Owner, Iowa City
- Jerry Tormey, Urbandale Area Democratic Party Co-Chair
- Phyllis Ann Weeks, Former Marion County Democratic Party Chair
- Lorraine Williams, Washington County Democratic Party Chair
Since launching in December, the Run Warren Run campaign has hired field and campus organizers on the ground in Iowa, opened offices in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, identified supporters in all 99 Iowa counties including prominent political and business leaders, and held more than 90 events in Iowa. Nationwide, more than 321,000 Americans have signed up to support the effort, and supporters have organized more than 400 events across the country.
For more information on the letter’s original release: http://www.