Kedley is the second Iowa Republican in barely a month to pass on the race
Instead of becoming stronger, the GOP field in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is shrinking… down to zero.
Barely a month after jumping in, Osceola Mayor Thomas Kedley and sole Republican IA-02 candidate announced his plans this weekend to drop out of the race. Kedley’s exit comes shortly after perceived GOP frontrunner Iowa State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann surprised party insiders by declining to run himself. The son of Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann, Bobby was an “obvious choice” for the GOP nomination and would have given Republicans a candidate with both strong name ID and the ability to tap into deep fundraising networks.
With Kedley and Kaufmann officially out, former Illinois Congressman Bobby Schilling — who has said he is “98 percent there” in getting into the race — appears to have a clear path to the GOP nomination.
“The decision by yet another Iowa Republican to pass on a run in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District says all you need to know about what an uphill climb this race is for the GOP,” said DCCC Spokesperson Brooke Goren. “With Washington Republicans focused on giving tax handouts to special interests and stripping protections for Iowans with pre-existing conditions, it’s no wonder they’re having a hard time convincing a viable candidate to run on their agenda.”
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