Drawing enthusiastic crowds around the state, Democratic challenger Rob Hogg's US Senate campaign to "uplift democracy" and "make Congress work again" is inspiring comparisons to the upset Senate victory of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone from neighboring Minnesota.
As Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley continues to slip in the polls, with his refusal as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing for a Supreme Court nominee and his recent statement that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would nominate the "right type of people," state senator Hogg has galvanized a cross-section of support with his issues-focused campaign.
"Rob Hogg is Iowa's best hope for replacing Chuck Grassley," said Catherine Crooks, the Franklin County Democratic Chair in Latimer, Iowa. "This is a very important election at a very crucial time in our country. He has shown that he is prepared to do the job, and has the vision to make Congress work again for the people of America. Like Paul Wellstone, Rob has the ability to connect his political voice to the people he is serving. He has brought excitement to this campaign by being positive and listening to the concerns of Iowans about our future. Rob will be the voice we need in Congress."
Eschewing out-of-state fundraising trips, Hogg has barnstormed with a popular clean energy and clean water campaign across a state that now leads the nation in wind energy production, and with the goal of changing the gridlock in Washington with a new era of leadership. Along with the "rock solid" endorsement of 90 current or former legislative colleagues in the state house, Hogg earned the support this month of the Iowa Federation of Labor and AFSCME Iowa Council 61, and has inspired the involvement of new voters and young people.
"I have been talking to people door-to-door and they are excited about Rob Hogg," said Katie Rock, of Des Moines, who was raised on a sixth generation family farm near Muscatine. " For those that have seen his enthusiasm in person they know he's their guy. They are hungry for a strong progressive leader that's ready to get to work. He reminds them of Paul Wellstone in that way."
With his five successful state senate campaigns, twice replacing Republicans in Cedar Rapids, supporters have praised Hogg's grassroots campaign over the candidacy of former Iowa Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, pointing out her most recent electoral loss in 2010 and out-of-step positions on labor and environmental issues for most Democrats. In the tradition of Wellstone's 1990 campaign strategy, when he defeated incumbent Sen. Rudy Boschwitz in Minnesota, despite being outspent 7 to 1, Hogg volunteers recently produced a campaign video on Hogg's role in "uplifting our democracy" and inspiring a new generation of leadership. A nationally recognized leader on climate change initiatives, Hogg has brought together rural, suburban and urban communities for legislation to assist the rapid growth of Iowa's solar energy industry and clean energy jobs.
"For decades Rob has been vocal in taking action not only nationally and internationally but also focusing on what we can do at home in Iowa," said Anthony Lucio, a first-time voter and University of Iowa graduate student in Iowa City. "It is this kind of work ethic that I want in a senator and is what encourages me to vote. With a congress that has quite literally the worst approval rating in history, I believe Rob Hogg embodies the message young voters are trying to get Washington to hear. Young voters need to find issues they are passionate about and act on them. I think Rob can inspire voters to bring energetic change in the US Senate race."
In his campaign speeches, Hogg has declared "dark money" and negative attack advertisements are turning off an entire generation from the political process, while he wants to "inspire young Americans to get involved in the political process and help transform American politics."
"Understandably, many people and young voters have been focused on the presidential race," said Alyssa Cokinis, a University of Iowa student from Des Moines. "But as the Supreme Court delay shows, we should also turn our attention to the Congress,and elect representatives who we trust, not because they have the money to get there. I'm so glad Rob Hogg is running. So cast your votes for the Senate race because they matter."