Iowa House Democratic leader elected to national legislative campaign committee – https://celebspop.site/

The committee, part of the national Democratic Party, is focused on electing Democrats to state legislatures across the country. The committee’s board members advise on strategy and organization and represent the committee’s work to the media and donors, the committee said in a press release.

“There has never been a more important time to get involved in state legislative races, and I’m thrilled to join the ranks of the DLCC Board now,” Konfrst said in a statement. “Building power in states like Iowa must be part of Democrats’ long-term strategy, and I’m eager to bring my experience working with the Democratic caucus in Iowa to help shape our national strategy.”

Iowa Democrats have lost seats in both chambers of the state Legislature for the past two election cycles. They have not held a majority in either chamber since 2016, when Republicans flipped the Senate.

Joining Konfrst as new members on the DLCC board are North Carolina House Democratic Leader Robert Reives and California Sen. Monique Limón, the committee said.

“As chair of the DLCC Board of Directors, I know Leader Reives, Senator Limón, and Leader Konfrst are excellent additions to our team,” said DLCC Chair Andrew Stewart-Cousins. “Our board prides itself on ensuring we bring leaders together who have experience from every corner of the country, and these new members bring diverse insights that will strengthen the DLCC as a whole.”

Iowa U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican, announced this week he raised more than $2.4 million in 2023 and has more than $1.5 million in cash on hand.

Nunn, a former Iowa state senator, is in his first term representing Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. He defeated incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne to win the seat in 2022. Multiple Democrats have announced their candidacy to challenge him in what is expected to be a highly competitive election in November.

“With more than $2.4 million raised and already locking in significant endorsements to support his re-election, it is clear that Iowans want Zach Nunn to continue to represent them in DC,” Nunn Campaign Manager Kendyl Parker said in a statement. “Zach Nunn ran for Congress with a goal to help Iowa families, and in his first year in office, he has done just that. Zach will remain focused on listening to all Iowans’ priorities and bringing Iowa common sense to our nation’s capital every day.”

A political group that endorses veterans for office has endorsed Lanon Baccam, a Democrat running for Congress in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.

New Politics announced the endorsement on Thursday. The group mostly endorses Democrats, but it also lists Republicans among its endorsements. According to its webpage, New Politics is “working towards electing a new generation of political leadership by helping service-oriented leaders run for public office.”

Baccam, a National Guard veteran, announced his campaign for Congress in November, drawing endorsements from many of the state’s top Democrats. Baccam worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture under Secretary Tom Vilsack in both the Biden and Obama administrations. Most recently, he was deputy chief of staff at the department.

The 3rd District is represented by Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican and former state senator. Nunn served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard.

Melissa Vine, a Des Moines nonprofit leader, is also running in the Democratic primary to represent the district.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, a Republican from Grimes, announced on Friday that he raised $467,825 in 2023. The money is a record for a legislative leader in a non-election year, according to the Iowa GOP.

Whitver is also going into 2024 with $587,317 in cash on hand.

Senate Republicans won a two-thirds supermajority in 2022, increasing their seats in the 50-person chamber to 34.

“The investments from so many Iowans into my campaign shows broad support for our agenda,” said Whitver. “We will continue to deliver pro-growth results for Iowans this session. The 2024 elections will be another opportunity for Senate Republicans to share our vision with voters. I look forward to working with our Senators and candidates to have another successful election cycle.”