Senator Janet Petersen
The top Democrat in the Iowa Senate is predicting Republicans will pass “painful” policies during the 2018 legislative session.
Janet Petersen of Des Moines, the Minority Leader in the Iowa Senate, is urging grassroots activists in her party to “adopt” Democrats who are trying to beat Republican senators next November.
“I promise you my New Year’s Resolution is bluer skies will be ahead for this state and a much bluer Iowa Senate,” Petersen said last night during Progress Iowa’s Holiday Party.
Mark Smith of Marshalltown, the Minority Leader in the Iowa House, has vowed to recruit a Democratic candidate in each of the 100 Iowa House districts for the 2018 General Election.
“If you’re thinking about running for public office, see me,” Smith said, to laughter and applause.
Smith and Petersen made their comments at a Progress Iowa fundraiser that attracted about a dozen first-time candidates and 200 grassroots activists.
“I know that there are some of you who are a little bit shy about knocking on doors and there are some of you who are a little bit hestitant to pick up the phone and do some phone calling during elections and I just simply say this to you: ‘Get over it!'” Smith said. “We need all hands on deck to win back the state.”
Republicans currently hold a majority of the seats in both the Iowa House and Senate. In the House, 59 of the 100 members are Republicans. In the Senate, 29 of the 50 senators are Republicans. Those majorities give Republicans control over the legislature’s agenda.
AUDIO of speeches from Smith and Petersen, 18:00