Patti Judge (file photo)
Patty Judge, the Democrat who’s challenging Republican Senator Chuck Grassley this year, says it’s time for politicians of both parties to shelve the “hateful rhetoric.”
“We, as candidates and as elected officials, need to set an example of the way we treat each other,” Judge says, “and the kind of rhetoric that we use.”
Judge made her comments Thursday afternoon during an appearance at the Community Bankers of Iowa convention. Afterwards, Judge told reporters her remarks were aimed at all politicans.
“I think the discourse needs to get on a little higher level,” Judge said, before adding: “starting with Donald Trump.” Judge calls Trump’s rhetoric “inflammatory.”
“Politics today is not a gentle sport and we know that, but I am concerned,” Judge says. “…We need to refrain from all the name-calling and talk about more substantive issues.”
Judge served in the state senate before serving two terms as the state’s secretary of agricullture. She was Iowa lieutenant governor for one term, from January of 2007 to January of 2011.