Braley plans three campaign stops, debuts new ad

DES MOINES - Bruce Braley's campaign schedule on the first day after Iowa's U.S. Senate candidates' final debate includes three events and the debut of a new campaign ad.

Braley, a Democratic U.S. House member from Waterloo, is running for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat against Joni Ernst, a Republican state senator from Red Oak.

Hitting on two of the main themes of his campaign, Braley today will talk about Social Security at a coffee shop in Fort Dodge, then join Planned Parenthood's political advocacy leader Cecile Richards to discuss women's health issues at round-table events in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

Meantime, the Braley team today debuts a new TV ad that features Braley describing his plan to address Social Security, which projections say will not be able to pay full benefits in 20 to 30 years.

In the ad, Braley proposes eliminating the cap on which income is taxed for Social Security, a move he says will strengthen the program and increase monthly benefits.

During Thursday night's debate in Sioux City, Braley also proposed creating more taxes being paid into Social Security by increasing the minimum wage and investing in job-creating infrastructure projects.

Braley in the ad also claims Ernst would 'privatize” Social Security. Ernst has said she is willing to consider younger workers putting their retirement plans on the market but also has said she has not officially endorsed any one solution.