A news release was just issued this morning, confirming Des Moines attorney Roxanne Conlin will run for the Democraticy Party’s 2010 U.S. Senate nomination. Conlin has recorded a video that’s posted online to announce her move — something Hillary Clinton did in January of 2007 to announce her bid for the White House. But Conlin’s video has a music “bed” so it’s not just a video statement as it’s loaded with images to illustrate her words. It’s also a bit “son of a millworker” (that’s a reference to John Edwards) in that Conlin stresses that it’s time to take on the special interests and talks about her humble beginnings in a family that lived “paycheck to paycheck.”
Conlin joins Democrats Bob Krause of Fairfield and Tom Fiegan of Clarence in the race for the party’s nomination and a change to face-off against Republican Chuck Grassley next November. Grassley intends to seek a sixth term in office.
Read Conlin’s release below:
Roxanne Conlin Files for US Senate
Activist and Advocate to Challenge Grassley
Des Moines, IA – Today, Roxanne Conlin filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to enter the race for U.S. Senate and released a video to Iowans. The video can be viewed at http://www.roxanneforiowa.com/ The text of the video follows:
Iowa, a place of quiet resolve. In tough times, overcoming the odds with strength and independence. But somewhere along the way, career politicians in Washington lost theirs.
As the big banks got bailed out and CEOs got outrageous bonuses, we got left behind.
I’m Roxanne Conlin. I grew up right here in Iowa, Sioux City, Clinton and Des Moines. My parents lived paycheck to paycheck, moving from town to town in search of work.
To help our family, starting at fourteen, I worked as a waitress… and then worked my way through college and law school.
When Jim and I married, we had nothing. But we had each other and we built a loving family.
As a prosecutor I took on drug dealers, corrupt politicians, and corporations who violated the public trust.
I started my own business — a small law firm to give a voice to everyday people who had none. Like taking on the big banks to help family farms at risk of foreclosure. Taking on the special interests has been the cause of my life. I’m running for U.S. Senate to take this fight to Washington.
We need a senator who’ll help small businesses in Iowa, not big corporations that ship jobs overseas; fight for relief on Main Street, not more bailouts for Wall Street; and preserve the jobs we have, while also creating new ones with a renewable energy revolution in wind, solar, ethanol, and biomass.
We have the most educated, skilled workforce right here in Iowa ready to turn this economy around.
I’m Roxanne Conlin. Join me in taking on this fight because the special interests had their turn. Now. It’s our turn.
About Roxanne Conlin
Battling organized crime, corruption and giant corporations, Roxanne Conlin has spent her life standing up to special interests for Iowa families who have been hurt by powerful forces. At an early age, Roxanne experienced personally the hardships many families face. She learned to never give up, no matter what the odds.
Growing up in Iowa, Roxanne’s family lived paycheck to paycheck, moving from town to town in search of steady work. Her father was an alcoholic, who struggled to hold down a job, while her mother tried to put food on the table for their children. The oldest of six children, Roxanne went to work as a waitress at the age of 14 to help the family make ends meet.
At the age of 16, Roxanne entered Drake University – taking on extra classes while holding down several jobs at the same time. Roxanne worked her way through college, graduating at 19 and Drake Law School graduating at just 21 years old. She chose to dedicate her legal career to speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.
As an Assistant Attorney General for Iowa, Roxanne fought public corruption and wrote the first law of its kind protecting rape victims. Then, as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, she worked hand in hand with law enforcement – leading major drug busts and cracking down on violent crime. For more than 25 years, Roxanne has owned and managed a small law firm in Iowa. Her firm is dedicated to representing everyday people who do not have a voice. She has never worked for a single corporate interest. Instead, Roxanne has chosen to fight for family farmers squeezed by big banks, police officers wronged by the system, and workers hurt by large companies. A successful small business, Roxanne Conlin & Associates was recently cited by a national magazine as one of the best firms to work for because of its family-friendly practices, welcoming the children of staff into the workplace.
With each new milestone – serving as United States Attorney in Iowa, earning the Democratic nomination for Governor of Iowa, being elected as the first woman President of the American Association of Justice, and selected as one of the first women in the Inner Circle of Advocates – Roxanne leaves behind a trail of shattered glass. Through it all, she still sees the world through the eyes of the courageous, everyday Iowan who refuses to give up in the face of overwhelming odds.
Roxanne lives in Des Moines with her husband of 45 years, James. They are most proud of their four adult children and five grandchildren.
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About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
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