“A fifth-generation Iowan and small business owner, Cindy Axne has the experience, the values and the resolve to fight for Iowa’s hardworking families,” said DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján. “When starting her small business, Cindy’s family struggled to pay their healthcare bills. In Congress, she will advocate for better jobs, higher wages and access to affordable healthcare. She’s putting together a strong campaign to flip this seat in November.”
To: Interested Parties
From: Rachel Irwin, DCCC Regional Press Secretary
Date: June 5, 2018
RE: The Case Against David Young
The primary results in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District set up a competitive race between career politician Rep. David Young and first-time candidate and fifth generation Iowan and small business owner Cindy Axne.
Given Young’s performance over the past year, it’s no wonder enthusiasm and energy is on the side of Axne, who emerges even stronger from a crowded primary to take on the Washington establishment.
There’s no greater symptom of a broken Washington than those politicians willing to cave to Party leaders and special interests. Young epitomizes that, having very publicly flipped his vote in favor of raising his constituents’ healthcare costs when Paul Ryan’s Super PAC threatened to pull its support. Young later voted to give his ultra-wealthy donors a tax break while raising taxes and healthcare costs for middle class Iowans.
Now he’s being propped up by Party leaders and special interests. Only one percent of Young’s fundraising comes from small dollar donations of $200 or less, and more than 63 percent is from special interests and corporate PACs. Young’s lack of grassroots support in Iowa is unsurprising as Iowans are outright rejecting his far-right agenda that hurts middle class families. Axne on the other hand rejects corporate PAC money and will put middle class Iowans first in Washington.
Young’s record clearly won’t cut it in southwest Iowa. From his vote to raise healthcare costs, to his vote for the GOP tax scam, to his full-throated support for the Republican Farm Bill that the Des Moines Register said was “misguided,” David Young’s days in Washington are numbered.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“The Register Endorses Axne As A Problem-Solver Who Knows How To Hold Government Accountable For Doing Its Job” [Des Moines Register (Editorial Board), 5/25/18]
“Cindy Axne, Democratic Candidate For The 3rd District, Offers High-Energy, Enthusiasm” [Des Moines Register (Editorial Board), 5/26/18]
Des Moines Register Editorial Board: “Perhaps This Will Be The Year Iowa Voters Hold [GOP] Accountable For Their Hypocrisy” [Des Moines Register (Editorial Board), 4/19/18]
“Iowa Poll: Iowans Favor Democrats For Congress In 2018” [Des Moines Register, 12/13/17]
AP: “Republicans Like Young Find Themselves Squeezed Between A Polarizing President And Hundreds Of Angry Voters” [Associated Press, 2/25/17]
DAVID YOUNG REPRESENTS THE WORST OF WASHINGTON
Young Flip Flops on Healthcare amid Pressure, Donations from Ryan
During the height of the healthcare debate in Congress, David Young publicly said he was going to vote against the American Health Care Act. Immediately afterwards, Paul Ryan’s Super PAC – the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) – very publicly threatened to pull its support from Young and closed its field office in Iowa’s 3rd District that was already propping him up.
At the time, Young’s spokesperson noted that “Young wouldn’t be swayed by any pressure from political leaders in Washington.” However, weeks later, Young flipped his vote and joined Republicans in passing the AHCA despite growing pressure from his constituents to vote against it. Speaker Ryan’s finance reports show that David Young took money from Speaker Ryan and his leadership PAC before flipping his vote.
Young Votes to Raise Healthcare Costs, Sabotage Leads to Higher Premiums
Young repeatedly voted to increase health care premiums – which are expected to increase by nearly 16 percent in Iowa – in addition to gutting pre-existing condition protections, jeopardizing health insurance for 31,500 in his district, and imposing an age tax on seniors.
The political liability of Young’s vote and highly-publicized flip-flop has taken its toll and Young will have a tough time explaining to voters why he’s making it harder for them to get ahead.
As POLITICO Magazine noted, “The chaotic situation in Iowa could have political ramifications for 2018 and beyond…polling data suggest the public will overwhelmingly fault Republicans for future problems. That could spell trouble for candidates on the ballot next year, including… Reps. Rod Blum and David Young, who are top Democratic targets.”
Votes for GOP Tax Scam, Puts Donors Ahead of Hardworking Iowans
Given Young’s reliance on special interests and Party insiders fueling his campaign, it’s no wonder he voted for the GOP Tax Scam that benefits his wealthy donors.
Young voted for the GOP Tax Scam that gives more than 80% of its benefits to the wealthiest 1% of Americans and a huge handout to large corporations. The bill even incentivizes corporations to ship jobs overseas, all while making millions of middle class families pay more over time. And because of how the tax scam blew up the deficit, it has given Republicans an opening to revisit their favorite topic: cutting Social Security and Medicare.
THE PATH TO VICTORY
Given the grassroots momentum on the ground and Young’s out-of-touch voting record, Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District was put on the DCCC’s first round of targets in early 2017.
IA-03 is the most urban, suburban, and well-educated of Iowa’s Congressional Districts. In fact, a greater share of its population has college degrees than the national average. President Obama won this historical Democratic seat twice. While President Trump was able to win in this district in 2016, the demographics of the district indicate that it will be a challenge for Republican David Young to hold in 2018.
Especially with a strong challenger like Axne in a year when voters are looking for a better direction in Washington. This year, momentum and energy is on the side of strong, female candidates with records of serving their communities. Axne is a first-time candidate running against a career staffer and politician who embodies the Washington swamp. And she’s got a strong track record in her community. She fought for all-day Kindergarten for every West Des Moines child and knows firsthand what it’s like to struggle to pay for healthcare in a year when it’s top of mind for voters.
Young falling in line with the Washington Republican agenda is a huge liability. A poll in this district by PPP found Young effectively tied with a generic Democrat, and that voters disapprove of Young by 10 points (37% to 47%). This poll occurred before Young’s vote for the Republican Tax Scam, which the poll found a majority of his constituents oppose and only spells trouble ahead.
First elected in 2014, this will be the first cycle that Young will need to defend his record with a Congress and President of his own party. Even as a life-long politician, it will take more than a magic trick for David Young to hide from his vote to increase healthcare costs on middle-class Iowans and his vote for the GOP tax scam.