With Kaufmann’s exit, GOP loses frontrunner with serious fundraising ability
It’s Monday, and the week is already off to a rough start for Republicans in Iowa.
Iowa State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann announced this morning that he will not run for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. 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 Kaufmann declining to run, the frontrunner for the GOP nomination is likely to become former Illinois Congressman Bobby Schilling, who has said he is “98 percent there” in getting into the race.
“State Rep. Kaufmann’s decision to pass on a run in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is a serious blow to Republicans who have been talking a big game about their supposed ability to pick up a seat in southeast Iowa,” 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 recruiting a viable candidate to run on their agenda.”
What they’re saying about Kaufmann’s decision not to run:
The National Journal’s Ally Mutnick:
###