Despite agreement, Murphy again challenges Vernon on Social Security

CEDAR RAPIDS - Their agreement on the need to strengthen and preserve Social Security hasn't prevented the 81-year-old retirement program from becoming an issue for candidates in the Iowa U.S. House 1st District Democratic primary.

After Monica Vernon was endorsed by the New Democrat Coalition's NewDemPAC, Pat Murphy challenged her to release her answers to the group's questionnaire they both completed 'to let voters know where she stands.”

The New Democrat Coalition of House members backs the Simpson-Bowles debt reduction plan to eventually raise the retirement age, cut Social Security and Medicare benefits and increase out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Vernon refers to Social Security as a 'sacred trust” and the 'most successful government program.”

'We've got to balance the budget,” she said, 'but we've got to do it the right way - not on the backs of seniors who've earned Social Security and Medicare after a lifetime of hard work.”

Although he's said much the same thing, Murphy's campaign manager Mike McLaughlin is calling for Vernon to release answers that led to her endorsement by the 'pro-business politicians who will continue these reckless policies that hurt Iowa's seniors.”

'If she is against it, then this isn't really an issue,” McLaughlin said, but the questionnaire is the only way voters will know.

That's just Murphy's attempt to 'hide the fact that he's received a 100 percent rating from Iowa's Right to Life for his anti-choice record,” said Michelle Gajewski, campaign manager for Vernon, who sought the 1st District Democratic nomination two years ago and was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014.

Social Security wasn't Vernon's only disagreement with the NewDemPAC, Gajewski said. Like Murphy, she disagrees with its support for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

However, Gajewski said the NewDemPAC 'endorsed a candidate they want to work with.” Former 1st District Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley also was part of the coalition, she said.

Gajewski also noted that the House Progressive Caucus, which includes 2nd District Rep. Dave Loebsack, chose to endorse Vernon rather than Murphy. Also, the International Association of Fire Fighters, which backed Murphy in 2014, announced its endorsement of Vernon Tuesday.

Democrats will choose a nominee in the June 7 primary election to face Republican Rep. Rod Blum.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com