@PattyForIowa launches US Senate bid, aimed at unseating @ChuckGrassley

The news — rumored for days — came this morning:

Patty Judge announces campaign for U.S. Senate
 
DES MOINES, Iowa – Patty Judge, a lifelong Iowan, farmer, and dedicated public servant, has announced her candidacy for United States Senate. Judge released the following statement announcing her candidacy:
 
“I’ve been fortunate to grow up in Iowa and to farm in Monroe county. I have served my friends and neighbors in the state Senate, and as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture and Lieutenant Governor. Throughout my entire life in Iowa and during my time in office, I’ve always been proud of the way Iowans work together. From leading our state’s response to catastrophic flooding in 2008 to advocating for Iowa agriculture and biofuels, I’ve witnessed Iowans from all walks of life join together to strengthen our state.
 
“In the past, I’ve worked with Senator Grassley, but unfortunately he has changed. Senator Grassley is acting like someone who has been in Washington for far too long. Instead of working on behalf of Iowans, he’s working for his friends in Washington to block progress and promote obstructionism.”
 
“I’m running for Senate because we need to start working for Iowans again. We need a Senator who will promote progress and not forget who they represent. I look forward to traveling across our great state in the weeks and months ahead. I hope Iowans will support my campaign and send a strong message about the kind of representation we want in Washington.”
 
Following two terms in the Iowa Senate, Patty was the first woman in Iowa history to become the state’s Secretary of Agriculture. During her time as Lt. Governor, Patty also served as the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor. A lifelong resident of Iowa, Patty and her family have owned a cow/calf farm in Monroe County for over 40 years. Patty and her husband John have three sons and four grandchildren, all of whom still call Iowa home.

The following statement was delivered 27 minutes BEFORE the Judge campaign made her decision “official” in the release above. (FYI: NRSC is the National Republican Senatorial Committee)

NRSC Statement On Patty Judge

WASHINGTON – The NRSC released the following statement after liberal Iowa Democrat Patty Judge launched her campaign website:

“No one works harder for Iowa than Chuck Grassley. Senator Grassley wrote the book on how public servants should talk to voters and take their ideas and concerns directly to Washington.

“Patty Judge is an out-of-touch liberal who was shown the door by voters last time she ran for office. Democrats might be celebrating the fact they were able to convince someone to pursue the fool’s errand of running against Chuck Grassley, but Judge will have no more luck than those who tried before her.

“Aside from Senator Grassley’s unwavering commitment to the Hawkeye State, Judge’s support for the failed policies of Barack Obama and her inescapable ties to the unpopular legacy of Chet Culver are enough to sink her electoral prospects on their own.” – NRSC spokesman Greg Blair

Judge spoke with Radio Iowa this morning by phone. Read the details here.

There is already one Democrat who has filed to place his name on the June Primary ballot. Details here. Nonetheless, the DSCC (Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee) has come out with a statement about Judge, saying she “will be” rather than “would be” when using the phrase “formidable challenger” to describe Judge.

DSCC Statement on Iowa Senate Race

Tom Lopach, Executive Director of the DSCC, released the following comment after Patty Judge announced her candidacy for Senate in Iowa:

“Patty Judge is a farmer, a nurse, and an outstanding public servant who has spent her career working for Iowa families. She will be a formidable challenger to Senator Grassley whose unprecedented obstruction of the constitution and flat out refusal to do his job and hold hearings on a Supreme Court nominee are proof that he’s simply spent too much time in Washington following his party at the expense of commonsense.”