Campaign Almanac: Texas congressman to join Joni Ernst for fundraiser

Texas U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt will be a featured speaker at Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” fundraiser in June, her campaign announced Thursday.

Hunt is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq. He is in his first term representing Texas’ 38th Congressional District, which includes western portions of Houston and its suburbs.

“I am honored to join Senator Joni Ernst and other great patriots for the 2024 Roast and Ride in Des Moines,” Hunt said in a statement provided by the Ernst campaign. “Iowa has become my second home. From marrying the love of my life, Emily, who was born and raised in Maquoketa, to having the honor of traveling the state in 2023 and 2024 on behalf of President Trump, I have come to call the people of Iowa my friends and neighbors. I look forward to hitting the road with freedom-loving conservatives who are energized to take our country back this November.”

Ernst’s campaign recently announced that the beneficiary of this year’s event will be the nonprofit Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation. A different veterans-related group is selected to benefit from Ernst’s fundraiser each year.

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Ernst’s 2024 “Roast and Ride” fundraiser is scheduled for June 1. The event begins with a motorcycle ride that will start at 10:15 a.m. at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines and finish at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event then heads indoors at the Fairgrounds’ Animal Learning Center for a program scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Ernst’s campaign said riders and supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at iowasroastandride.com.

Congressional candidate endorsed by Reproductive Freedom for All

Sarah Corkery, the Democratic candidate in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, announced Thursday the endorsement of Reproductive Freedom For All.

The abortion rights group, previously known as NARAL Pro-Choice America, advocates for candidates and policies that support access to abortion, birth control and other reproductive care.

Corkery said in a statement she would work in Congress to protect access to abortion at the national level. She said her opponent, incumbent Republican Ashley Hinson, supports a national abortion ban.

“I am always going to have the backs of women and families to make their own decisions about their own health care — and that includes abortion care,” Corkery said. “Iowa just passed one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country — the same ban that is causing women to die across the country."

The organization has endorsed Democratic candidates in dozens of congressional races, including former state Rep. Christina Bohannan in Iowa's 1st District.

In a social media post responding to the endorsement, Hinson's campaign accused Corkery of not supporting "a single restriction on abortion."

"It’s no surprise that (Corkery) is endorsed by a radical group that also supports abortion on demand until the moment of birth," the campaign post said.