Vernon defends her record against Murphy

TAMA — Monica Vernon took the fight to her opponent for the Iowa U.S. House 1st District on Friday night, demanding an apology from Pat Murphy for dismissing her record as 'squat.'

In an interview earlier in the week, Murphy contrasted his 'proven record' as a 24-year legislator, including serving as speaker of the Iowa House, with Vernon's lack of a record.

'My opponent was talking about his record, and he talked about mine and said I haven't done squat,' Vernon said in her opening statement to a crowd of more than 50 people at the Tama Ballroom. Referring to her eight years on the Cedar Rapids City Council, especially during recovery from the 2008 flood, Vernon took offense.

'It's not just offensive to me. It's offensive to every hardworking woman in this state, and I think you owe them all an apology,' Vernon said.

There was no apology, but the tone was set for the final debate between the pair ahead of the June 7 primary. The winner will face first-term Republican Rod Blum in November.

Vernon continued on the offensive, charging Murphy has run a 'negative smear campaign.'

'That's what bullies do,' she said.

The debate, sponsored by the Democratic parties of Tama, Poweshiek, Marshall and Benton counties, was the fourth time the pair had debated this year. Murphy and Vernon both ran in 2014 in a five-way primary for the Democratic nomination. Murphy won that with 36 percent of the vote to Vernon's 23 percent before losing to Blum, a Dubuque business owner, in the open-seat general election, 49.9 percent to 47.6 percent.

For his part, Murphy repeatedly talked about his record, citing his leadership on legislation calling for equal pay for women, supporting veterans, protecting voting rights, a woman's right to an abortion, same-sex marriage and LGBT rights, and requiring labeling of genetically modified foods.

He also focused on their differences, such as the minimum wage. He wants it raised to $15 an hour. Vernon, who previously said she could support $12, said she's not tied to a number. She prefers to raise the wage incrementally to limit job losses while raising workers' incomes.

Murphy called a $15 minimum wage a 'huge issue.' The minimum wage would have to be $21 an hour for a worker to be self-sufficient, he said, 'but '$15 is the first step.'

Calling himself a 'FDR Democrat,' Murphy said he is 'proud of being a lifelong Democrat' and questioned Vernon's commitment to the party because she was a Republican until 2009.

'I've always been consistent on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, where the Democratic Party stands,' Murphy said. When he was the Democratic leader in the Iowa House, 'she was still a Republican, giving money to Republicans. It's a big difference.'

Vernon argued it's not for Murphy to decide 'who gets to be in the party and what it means to be a Democrat.'

She also wondered why the 'people who know him the best trust him the least.' Legislators who served with Murphy have endorsed her and labor unions that endorsed him in the past are backing her.

He hasn't sought those endorsements 'because I want your endorsement on Election Day,' Murphy said. 'That's the only one that counts.'