WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE IOWA?
WE RESIST EXTREMISM
& WHITE SUPREMACY
The politics of Ashley Hinson’s balancing act in IA-01
Bleeding Heartland | Sunday, Feb 14 2021
Senator Chuck Grassley Pretends to Be a Principled Republican. Don’t Buy It.
The Nation | Feb 13 2021
MAGA Conspiracy Theorist Declares For Chuck Grassley’s Seat
Iowa Starting Line | February 13th, 2021

Activate Iowa Accountability Project
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS NOW. THE IOWA GOP MUST DENOUNCE:
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election fraud claims
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the insurrection attempt
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white supremacy and right-wing extremism
We are posting statements from Iowa elected leaders related to the November 2020 election, the insurrection, and right-wing extremism in America. If you have information to share about the reactions or participation of an Iowa elected official, please email us with a website, social media post, or other source. PLEASE NOTE: This is the work of volunteers. If you see an error, please let us know right away.
Statements by Iowa elected officials:
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R)
ON ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS:
Has not acknowledged Biden’s win as of Jan 7.
APNews, Jan 7, 2021
Reynolds decries riot but says many believe vote ‘not valid.’
“I don’t care what your politics are or what you believe happened in this election. When you have half of the electorate that feels that maybe something is not valid, then that’s a concern for our republic and we want to do everything we can to address that.”
KCRG.com, Dec 10, 2020
Reynolds denies AG Miller’s request to oppose Texas lawsuit to overturn election: The Governor says she would have supported the lawsuit, while Iowa’s Attorney General says he would have opposed it.
ON INSURRECTION:
Minimized the June 6 events at the Capitol and sent mixed messages about the rioters.
DesMoines Register, Jan 7, 2021
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds: ‘Stop pointing fingers’ in wake of Trump supporters mobbing U.S. Capitol
The Gazette, Jan 7, 2021
Reynolds, legislative leaders denounce Capitol violence
ON EXTREMISM:
Governor Reynolds has a history of turning a blind eye to extremism. She did not stand up to either Steve King or Donald Trump. However, she has condemned the recent Henry County GOP post.
DesMoines Register, Jan 7, 2021
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds: ‘Stop pointing fingers’ in wake of Trump supporters mobbing U.S. Capitol
Weareiowa.com, Jan 7, 2021
Republicans condemn county GOP ‘stay locked and loaded’ post.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
Did not acknowledge Biden’s win until Dec 14. Hedged on Electoral College challenge. Lack of leadership stoked unwarranted fear and anger about election fraud.
DesMoines Register, Jan 5, 2021
GOP U.S. Reps. Hinson, Miller-Meeks won’t challenge Electoral College results; other Republican members haven’t decided
DesMoines Register, Dec 14, 2020
Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst acknowledge Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory
The Gazette, Dec 7, 2020
Grassley, Ernst quick to call House race. But neither say Biden won presidency
DesMoines Register, Nov 12, 2020
Sen. Chuck Grassley says it’s still too soon to congratulate Joe Biden on victory
On Insurrection:
Has condemned the insurrection.
Des Moines Register, Jan 7, 2021
“Everyone must take responsibility for their destructive actions yesterday, including the president… As the leader of the nation, the president bears some responsibility for the actions that he inspires — good or bad. Sadly, yesterday he displayed poor leadership in his words and actions, and he must take responsibility.”
Twitter, Jan 6, 2021
“Today’s violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attack on American democracy itself. I condemn today’s violence in the strongest terms & perpetrators deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also thank Capitol Police for protecting our Capitol & staff.”
On Extremism:
Spoke against Steve King in 2019 but refused to hold hearings on white supremacy after Charlottesville.
NWIowa.com, Jan 16, 2019
Grassley speaks on King’s racist remarks
Politico, Aug 15, 2017
GOP chairmen resist hearings on white supremacy
Senator Joni Ernst (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
Did not acknowledge Biden’s win until Dec 14. Hedged on Electoral College challenge. Lack of leadership stoked unwarranted fear and anger about election fraud.
DesMoines Register, Jan 5, 2021
GOP U.S. Reps. Hinson, Miller-Meeks won’t challenge Electoral College results; other Republican members haven’t decided
DesMoines Register, Dec 14, 2020
Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst acknowledge Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory
The Gazette, Dec 7, 2020
Grassley, Ernst quick to call House race. But neither say Biden won presidency
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Has condemned the insurrection.
Twitter, Jan 7, 2021
“I served in uniform to defend the right to peaceful protest. What’s happening at the Capitol right now is not peaceful nor a protest. It’s anarchy, & a betrayal of the American ideals we all hold dear. My staff and I are safe. Thanks to Capitol Police for your selfless work.”
On Extremism:
Condemned Steve King’s promotion of white supremacy but not Trump’s.
Washington Post, Jul 6, 2020
What 11 Republican senators had to say about Trump’s racism (nothing)
Twitter, Jan 12, 2019
“I condemn Rep. Steve King’s comments on white supremacy; they are offensive and racist – and not representative of our state of Iowa. We are a great nation and this divisiveness is hurting everyone. We cannot continue down this path if we want to continue to be a great nation.”
Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) Statements
On Election Fraud Claims:
As of Jan 5 had not acknowledged Biden’s win.
DesMoines Register, Jan 5, 2021
GOP U.S. Reps. Hinson, Miller-Meeks won’t challenge Electoral College results; other Republican members haven’t decided
Radio Iowa, Dec 21, 2020
Feenstra calling for House investigation of 2020 presidential election
DesMoines Register, Dec 18, 2021
U.S. Rep.-elect Randy Feenstra won’t yet acknowledge Joe Biden’s presidential victory
On the Attempted Insurrection
Rep. Feenstra has not denounced the insurrection.
KCRG.com, Jan 6, 2021
Congressman Randy Feenstra says “wonderful group” of peaceful protesters got carried away.
On Extremism
Rep. Feenstra called the insurrectionists a “wonderful group” on Jan 6, 2021
KCRG.com, Jan 6, 2021 (same as above)
Congressman Randy Feenstra says “wonderful group” of peaceful protesters got carried away.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
Acknowledged Biden’s victory on Dec 4
Iowa Press, Dec 4, 2020
Miller-Meeks says Biden is President-Elect
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Has denounced the insurrection.
Newton Daily News, Jan 11, 2021
MILLER-MEEKS: ‘This is a sad day for all of us’ IA02 Congresswoman says there are ‘proper ways to protest,’ but storming the U.S. Capitol isn’t one of them
On Extremism:
No statement as of 1/11/21
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
Voted to certify the election while claiming election fraud
KWWL, Jan 5, 2021
Rep. Ashley Hinson: “We must count the electoral votes submitted by the states”
“We must respect the states’ authority here. Though doing so may frustrate our immediate political objectives, we have sworn an oath to promote the Constitution above our policy goals. We must count the electoral votes submitted by the states,”
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Rep. Hinson denounced the insurrection.
Twitter, Jan 6, 2021
President Trump needs to address the nation and call for an end to this violence and disruption to our democratic process. This is not how we do business in the United States of America.
Des Moines Register, Jan 7, 2012
Iowa Republicans decry President’s ‘poor leadership,’ but Democrats say it’s not enough
“Words matter and rhetoric matters and we saw that really firsthand at the Capitol this week… And I was disappointed in how the president handled the situation.”
On Extremism:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
Rep. Cindy Axne (D)
On Election Fraud Claims:
Acknowledged Biden’s victory
Iowa News Now, Nov 7, 2020
U.S Rep. Cindy Axne celebrates election of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Calls for Trump’s Removal via the 25th Amendment
Des Moines Register, Jan 7, 2021
U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne calls on President Trump’s cabinet to remove him via 25th Amendment
On Extremism:
Condemns Extremism and Supports Justice in Policing Act of 2020
axne.house.gov
Rep. Axne Backs Comprehensive Legislation to Hold Law Enforcement Accountable, Address Systemic Racism and Bias
IOWA STATEHOUSE LEADERSHIP
Sen. Jake Chapman, Iowa Senate President (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
On the Attempted Insurrection:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
On Extremism:
Jake Chapman repeats conspiracy theories and extreme language
The Perry News, Nov 3, 2020
Chapman’s extremes meet Varley’s means in state senate race
The Perry News, Oct 18, 2020
Jake Chapman claims BLM vandalism; critics smell hoax
The Perry News, Jun 23, 2020
Jake Chapman stokes vigilante zeal in some Iowa gun owners
Phone: 515-650-3942
Email: jake.chapman@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Jack Whitver, Iowa Senate Majority Leader (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Denounced the Insurrection
Radio Iowa, Jan 11, 2021
“I think this is a small group of people that went and acted and I don’t think they speak for Republicans in general,” Whitver said on Iowa PBS, “and certainly doesn’t speak to what we want to do as an agenda.”
The Gazette, Jan 7, 2021
Reynolds, legislative leaders denounce Capitol violence
On Extremism:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
Phone: 515-281-3371
Email: jack.whitver@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Pat Grassley, Speaker of the House (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Denounces insurrection but equates with summer protests.
Iowa Public Radio, January 11, 2021
4:33 “Continued attempts of articles of filing articles of impeachment things like that are probably stoking the flames of division in this country as much as all of the comments from earlier.”
The Gazette, Jan. 7, 2021
“We’ve been saying for the last eight months (that) with any sort of protests going on around the country, you should have the right to, obviously, express your opinions in a non-violent way, a nonthreatening way,” said Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford.”
On Extremism:
When asked about death threats to Iowa Democratic Party Offices equated those threats with summer protests.
Iowa Public Radio, January 11, 2021 9:50 “Lets be very clear we’ve been dealing with in some cases very unpeaceful protests going back to the summer.”
Phone: 515-281-3221 (switchboard)
Email: pat.grassley@legis.iowa.gov
Representative Matt W. Windschitl, House Majority Leader (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Denounces insurrection but equates with summer protests.
RadioIowa, Jan 11, 2021
“I denounce it, whether it was what happened in D.C. or the riots that happened over the summer,’ so you’ve got a leader standing here saying: ‘It’s not ok,’” Windschitl said, to applause.”
On Extremism:
No statement found as of 1/11/21
Phone: 515-281-3221 (switchboard)
Email: matt.windschitl@legis.iowa.gov
Representative John Wills, House President Pro Tempore (R)
On Election Fraud Claims:
Condemns “anarchy” but says there were serious problems with the 2020 elections.
Update from the Statehouse — Anarchist in the Capitol
On the Attempted Insurrection:
Condemns Iowa Democrats for demanding accountability. Statement on the day of the insurrection attempt equates the insurrectionists with the BLM movement.
Facebook, Jan. 12, 2021
“It seems that we start out the session with all three Republican speeches talking unity and getting things done for Iowa and the Democrat speech being divisive. I guess we must be bipartisan only when they benefit.”
On Extremism:
Quotes Rep Lauren Boebert who tweeted the Speaker’s location.
Phone: Phone: 515-281-3221 (switchboard)
Email: john.wills@legis.iowa.gov
WE STRATEGIZE
Stacey Abrams and Lauren Groh-Wargo: How to Turn Your Red State Blue
Stacey Abrams and NYT | Feb. 11, 2021
A Rural Strategy We Can Work With
Ruby Bodeker | Dec 15, 2020

WE ORGANIZE
What The IDP Needs Now Is Stability
Iowa Starting Line | Feb. 2nd, 2021
State Central Committee Party Chair Forum, Jan 11, 2021:
JD Scholten: ‘Year-Round Organizing’ A Must For Iowa Democrats
posted from Iowa Starting Line
Posted November 17th, 2020 at 10:32am by Elizabeth Meyer
Seen enough??? Get involved now.
Contact your elected leaders to demand the Iowa GOP pull back from aiding and abetting lies, violence and extremism.
IOWA DEMOCRATIC PARTY … Thoughts and debates on a way forward.
State Central Committee Party Chair Forum, Jan 11, 2021:
JD Scholten
Scholten: ‘Year-Round Organizing’ A Must For Iowa Democrats
posted from Iowa Starting Line
Posted November 17th, 2020 at 10:32am
Bill Brauch
Eight lessons of election week 2020 in Iowa
posted from Bleeding Heartland
Bill Brauch is a former Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee member and Third District Central Committee chair. -promoted by Laura Belin
Brett W Copeland
Change in the Iowa Democratic Party must start at the top
posted from Bleeding Heartland
Brett W. Copeland is the Chair of the Dickinson County Democrats
Claudia Thrane
Iowa Democrats’ Latino Outreach Far More Meaningful This Year
posted from Iowa Starting Line
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