Iowa Democrats target Blum in early launch of 2018 campaign

Feb. 02--DES MOINES -- Hoping to harness the "organic" energy of the opposition to President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in Congress, a Democratic campaign committee is getting an early start on its 2018 election efforts.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is planning to hire a full-time, local organizing staffer and launch digital ads in Iowa's 1st District in order to help constituents organize and promote local accountability events.

"The launch of our 'March into '18' accountability project comes at a time of excitement and opportunity for Democrats," according to DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan. "The organic strength of the women's marches, Affordable Care Act rallies, and protests can already be felt in Iowa's 1st District, and this unprecedented DCCC investment will help capture that energy, engage voters and help make their voices heard."

House Democrats are starting the 2018 election cycle on offense, added Dan Sena, DCCC executive director.

"The American people have repeatedly organized ... in peaceful marches to resist the Trump administration and the Republican vision for our country," Sena said about plans to repeal the ACA, build a Mexican border wall and restrict travel from Muslim-majority nations.

Hiring an on-the-ground organizer is a step campaign committees typically take in an election year, but Lujan said the DCCC is starting earlier than ever because "a groundswell of people are looking for ways to tell their stories, channel their energy and organize for change."

Iowa's 20-county 1st District, which includes Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Waterloo-Cedar Falls, is represented by Rep. Rod Blum, who has been a target by the DCCC. Blum, a Dubuque businessman, was re-elected to a second term in November, defeating Democratic challenger Monica Vernon of Cedar Rapids 52 percent to 44 percent.

The 1st District, which Trump carried 49 percent to 45 percent, is one of 20 districts the DCCC is targeting with full-time organizers and by running Twitter ads in the district to connect with people who want to continue their activism or get involved for the first time.

The ads will be promoted to people who have followed or tweeted about local Women's Marches, Obamacare rallies and other events signaling opposition to the GOP majority. They also will promote what the DCCC calls local "accountability events" to Iowans who might not otherwise know how to get involved.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com

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