Campaign Almanac: Planned Parenthood endorses Democrats hoping to unseat Iowa’s Hinson, Miller-Meeks

The advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the nonprofit organization that provides sexual health care in the United States, has endorsed two Democratic challengers looking to flip to two Iowa U.S. House seats.

Sarah Corkery, the Democratic candidate in Northeast Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, announced Monday the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. The fund describes itself as a nonpartisan organization that backs candidates who are steadfast in their support for women's health, health care access and reproductive rights.

The group also has endorsed Iowa City Democrat and former state representative Christina Bohannan, who is running to unseat Iowa U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa, in Southeast Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.

Corkery, a Cedar Falls Democrat and small-business owner, 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, of Marion, supports a national abortion ban and legislation that would threatened access to in vitro fertilization.

Hinson co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act that states life begins at fertilization. While the act includes language preventing “the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child,” it does not spell out protections for fertility treatments.

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Hinson has said she strongly supports IVF.

“I am pro-life and will always embrace policies that save as many lives as possible,” she told The Gazette. “That includes IVF, which has helped so many women struggling with fertility to become moms. I strongly support access to IVF for women.”

Hinson's campaign has accused Corkery of not supporting "a single restriction on abortion."

Corkery, in a statement, said one of her first acts if elected would be to co-sponsor legislation to reestablish a nationwide right to abortion. The bill aims to codify Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that grants protections for a woman's right to abortion, and prohibits governmental restrictions on access to abortion services.

Anti-abortion rights activists have called it the most permissive abortion bill in Congress. They assert it would create a right to abortion during all nine months of pregnancy and invalidate almost all state laws governing abortions.

“I am incredibly proud to have Planned Parenthood’s endorsement in this race where the stakes for abortion access and reproductive justice couldn’t be higher,” Corkery said.

The recent Wall Street Journal poll showed that abortion was the No. 1 issue by far for suburban women voters in swing states. And the expectation is voters likely to be mobilized by the abortion issue will help Democrats up and down the ballot.

Democratic voters are increasingly supportive of abortion rights, and increasingly motivated by the issue, according to a new report from the Public Religion Research Institute. The survey by the nonprofit, nonpartisan public opinion research firm found a growing number of Democrats point to abortion as a top voting issue since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion with in 2022.

More than six in 10 Americans say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, according to the PRRI survey and polling by Pew Research Center. By contrast, about 35 percent of Americans say abortion should be illegal in most or all cases.

Republicans and Democrats are deeply divided on abortion, with a 50-point gap between them. While Republican attitudes on abortion have remain largely unchanged since 2010, Democratic support for legal abortion has increased.

Linn County Democrat announces candidacy for Iowa House

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Democrat Kent McNally of Central City officially declared his candidacy Monday to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Cindy Golding in House District 83.

The district covers Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Center Point, Central City, Coggon, Palo, Alburnett and other communities in Linn County.

Golding, of rural Linn County, is seeking a second term. A farmer and small business owner, Golding defeated Democratic newcomer Kriss Nall in 2022 to win the seat.

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A local union leader with IBEW Local 405, McNally also teaches classes for journeymen and apprentices at the Cedar Rapids Electrical Apprenticeship Training and Education Trust Center.

“I made the decision to run because I believe that every Iowan deserves a fair shot at building a better future for themselves and their families,” McNally said in a statement. “We need to do more to ensure that every community across our state has well-funded public schools, strong infrastructure, and access to affordable health care and mental health services. It’s time to level the playing field and give Iowa families the tools they need to succeed."

For more information, visit his campaign website at mrmcnallyforiowa.com.

Reynolds to join Ernst for ‘Roast and Ride’

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Gov. Kim Reynolds will be a featured speaker at Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” fundraiser in June, her campaign announced.

Reynolds joins Ernst and Texas U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt as featured speakers.

“I’m honored to be joined by Gov. Kim Reynolds at Roast and Ride again this year,” Ernst said in a statement. “Kim stands in stark contrast to (President Joe) Biden’s liberal, progressive agenda, and under her leadership, Iowa is moving in the right direction.”

Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” is scheduled for June 1. The event begins with a motorcycle ride starting at 10:15 a.m. at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines and finishing 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.

This event is open to all ages, and general admission tickets will now be free. Tickets to participate in the motorcycle ride are $20, with all proceeds going to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Iowa.

Riders and supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at https://bit.ly/4dz9kVH.