Fiorina campaign sees Iowa endorsements as another sign of growing support

CEDAR RAPIDS - Her endorsement by 19 Iowa Republicans is 'yet another signal of Carly Fiorina's growing support,” according to the former Fortune 500 CEO's campaign.

Fiorina is the 'best candidate to represent our concerns and values as a party and as a country,” according to Julie Blumer of Springville, one of those who endorsed Fiorina's bid for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.

'She has the experience and skill to lead us with strength and inspiration,” Blumer added.

The endorsements, coming on the heels of CNN's decision to altered its debate criteria in a way that opens the door for Fiorina to participate in the prime time forum later this month, add to the enthusiasm and momentum the campaign is generating, national press secretary Leslie Shedd said.

She attracted 'massive” crowd during a late August campaign swing through western Iowa, according to Fiorina's Iowa state director Mary Earnhardt. In Cushing, the Woodbury County sheriff estimated the crowd at more than the town's population of 223.

Earnhardt attributes much of that to Fiorina's strong performance in the first GOP debate. She was in the 'undercard” - candidates whose were not in the top 10 based on national poll numbers.

'Here in Iowa, we see the candidates quite frequently, but that was a really good comparison for people who hadn't seen her before,” Earnhardt said. 'People paid attention to the field after that debate.”

The CNN debate Sept. 16 will include any candidate who ranks in the top 10 in polling between Aug. 7 and Sept. 10. The adjustment may result in additional candidates, including Fiorina, joining the debate.

'That will be another chance for voters across the nation to hear Carly - a broader audience - and see the contrast between her and the others,” Earnhardt said.

Fiorina is scheduled to be back in Iowa Sept. 25 at the University of Dubuque as a guest of the Dubuque County Republican Women and to participate in the Republican Party of Iowa's Growth and Opportunity Party Oct. 31 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.