“Abby Finkenauer has deep roots in Eastern Iowa and has a strong track record of fighting for hardworking families like her own,” said DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján. “In Congress, she will bring new energy to tackle Washington’s greatest problems and get results. Leading in the polls and with dozens of labor unions backing her bid, Abby is running a strong campaign to return this seat to the hardworking people of Eastern Iowa.”
To: Interested Parties
From: Rachel Irwin, DCCC Regional Press Secretary
Date: June 5, 2018
RE: The Case Against Rod Blum
The primary results in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District set up a competitive race between labor champion Abby Finkenauer and self-serving millionaire Rep. Rod Blum.
Over the past year, Blum has proven through a series of unpopular votes, scandals and outbursts that he’s among the worst of the Washington swamp. Rather than stand up for Iowans, Blum voted to raise healthcare costs on working families and seniors and voted for a GOP tax scam that enriches millionaires like himself.
The backlash in Eastern Iowa has been fierce. Blum’s constituents have held protests and confronted him at public events, like this father of a disabled son who fought back against Republican attempts to gut Medicaid. Or this memorable, viral moment when Blum embarrassed his constituents by storming out of a TV interview with Iowa school children looking on.
If you thought 2017 was rough for Rod Blum, let’s look at 2018. A blockbuster ethics scandal exposed Blum’s hypocrisy on his #1 campaign promise to drain the swamp. It’s no wonder that through his own self-inflicted damage that Blum has earned Roll Call’s title of the most vulnerable incumbent in the country heading into November.
Don’t take our word for it. Just look at the multiple polls and pundits who agree that energy and enthusiasm is on the side of Abby Finkenauer, who has outraised Blum three fundraising periods in a row. Abby is a proven champion for hardworking families and is running a strong campaign to win back blue-collar voters this November.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Iowa’s Blum Now Most Vulnerable House Member” [Roll Call, 5/10/18]
“Finkenauer Has Blue-Collar Image With Formidable Campaign” [KCRG, 5/24/18]
“Abby Finkenauer Is Paying off Her Student Loan Debt and Challenging a Millionaire to His Seat in Congress” [Elle Magazine, 2/6/18]
“Finkenauer Leads The Way In 4th-Quarter Congressional Fundraising” [Des Moines Register, 2/1/18]
“GOP Mega-Donors Pile Money Into Iowa Race As House Candidate Falters Ahead Of Midterms” [CNBC, 4/18/18]
“Poll: Trump, Blum Disapproval Ratings Close In Iowa 1st District” [The Gazette, 4/3/18]
ROD BLUM: ONE OF THE DC SWAMP’S WORST
Forced Healthcare Premiums to Skyrocket in Iowa, Jeopardized Constituents’ Care
Rod Blum repeatedly voted to increase health care premiums – which are expected to increase by nearly 16 percent in Iowa thanks to GOP attacks on the ACA– in addition to gutting pre-existing condition protections and jeopardizing health insurance for 29,000 in his district. Additionally, he voted to impose an age tax on seniors and did nothing to lower the price of prescription drugs.
His vote for the American Health Care Act (AHCA) would hit rural communities and nursing homes in Eastern Iowa especially hard. The political liability of Blum’s vote has taken its toll, 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.”
Voted for a GOP Tax Scam Enriching Millionaires Like Himself
Despite representing a blue-collar district, Rod Blum 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.
Rod Blum clearly can’t be trusted to fight for the middle class when he’s voting for a GOP tax scam that enriches millionaires like himself.
Embroiled in Ethics Violations, Abusing Taxpayers’ Trust
Rod Blum has made his top campaign promise to drain the swamp. Two years ago, we thought Blum was wading in the swamp when he said, “I don’t care” about a campaign promise he made but never kept to donate half his salary to charity, but a blockbuster Associated Press report revealed Blum’s actually swimming in it.
According to the report, Blum failed to disclose his shady internet firm Tin Moon that profits from helping companies bury FDA warnings. Not only did Blum potentially violate House ethics rules, he also used taxpayer resources to promote the company that put Iowans’ health and safety at risk. Now the FDA is warning companies not to work with Tin Moon as Blum dodges questions back home, and the Gazette editorial board called Blum’s conduct troubling and disappointing.
THE PATH TO VICTORY
Iowa’s First Congressional District is a traditionally Democratic stronghold with rural populations that make this swing district one of the most competitive in the state. Iowans here voted for President Obama twice by double digits. And while Republicans tout Trump’s performance and Republican gains, both the President and Blum have taken hits at the polls while advancing an agenda that betrays rural Iowans.
While there’s no question Blum has experienced competitive races in the past, momentum and energy is on the side of strong, female candidates with records of serving their communities. Abby is also no stranger to tough races. She won her first race for the Iowa State House in 2014 as the underdog candidate, going on to win the Primary and serve the people of Dubuque.
A Dubuque native, Abby cuts into Rod Blum’s home territory and is quickly making inroads among blue-collar voters fed up with Washington. She’s earned the support of 15 labor unions and counting in her bid for Congress, who trust her track record in the State Legislature of beating back attempts to gut collective bargaining rights.
For Abby, it’s personal. She’s fighting for her family, friends and neighbors, and it’s clear that her message is resonating with voters. She leads in every poll of this race to date, and leads Blum by 6 points, 47% to 41%, in the most recent public poll available.
In a contest of Wall Street versus Main Street, our bet is on Abby Finkenauer taking back this seat for the hardworking people of Eastern Iowa.