2020 Presidential Campaign Blog

Iowa State Representative Charlie McConkey Endorses Amy Klobuchar for President

Iowa State Representative Charlie McConkey Endorses Amy Klobuchar for President

Former Senator Cory Booker Endorser To Support Senator Klobuchar For President

Amy Klobuchar Continues To Lead Field With Twelve Current Legislator Endorsements

DES MOINES, IA — Iowa State Representative Charlie McConkey today endorsed Senator Amy Klobuchar for President. McConkey, who represents House District 15 in Council Bluffs, previously endorsed Senator Cory Booker.

"Like Senator Booker, Senator Klobuchar has run a campaign with a positive, unifying message that will bring this country together -- not divide us," said State Rep. Charlie McConkey. "Senator Klobuchar is committed to championing economic policies that give all Iowans and Americans an opportunity to succeed. For Senator Klobuchar and for myself, respecting the dignity of work means raising the minimum wage, making sure people have a secure retirement, and supporting universal health care for all Americans. Amy is someone who tells the truth, doesn’t make promises she can’t keep, and has people’s backs -- which is why I am proud to support her to be our next President."

McConkey is currently serving his third term in the Iowa House. He serves on the Commerce, Economic Growth, Labor, and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and the Flood Mitigation Board. A former steelworker and small business owner, McConkey is a member of United Steelworkers Local 3141 and has served on the Board of Steelworkers Credit Union.

Klobuchar, who has been widely praised for her legislative record in the U.S. Senate, has the support of more than 20 current and former members of the Iowa Legislature -- the most of any candidate. Each time she has led the ticket as a Senate candidate in Minnesota, Democrats have flipped the State House of Representatives from Republican to Democratic control.

Other sitting Iowa legislators supporting Klobuchar include:
Iowa Senator Kevin Kinney
Iowa Senator Liz Mathis
Iowa Senator Rich Taylor
Iowa Senator Todd Taylor
Iowa Representative Marti Anderson
Iowa Representative Bruce Bearinger
Iowa Representative Molly Donahue
Iowa Representative Ruth Ann Gaines
Iowa Representative Andy McKean
Iowa Representative Sharon Steckman
Iowa Representative Cindy Winckler

Muscatine, Iowa Democrat Henry Marquard Endorses John Delaney for President

John Delaney Earns Endorsement from Influential Muscatine Democrat Henry Marquard

DES MOINES, IA - Today, John Delaney announced an endorsement from St. Ambrose University constitutional law professor and candidate for the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors Henry Marquard.

Mr. Marquard serves as Vice President and General Counsel for Stanley Consultants, one of the largest consulting firms for engineering, construction and environmental services with 18 offices and operations in more than 100 countries. He also teaches part-time at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He previously served on the Iowa District Export Council, appointed by United States Secretary of Commerce Pritzker. Marquard also previously served on the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission for four years, and served as its Chairman from 2008-09.

Mr. Marquard said the following:

"Like many Iowans, I've found it difficult to make my decision regarding the caucus because we've had great candidates. I've been waiting for someone to inspire me. When John Delaney spoke in Muscatine on December 14, I found that inspiration. I've had the opportunity to talk to John many times in the last year. I was impressed with his background as a business leader and Congressman. His ideas for creating market incentives to reduce carbon emissions, for national public service to strengthen the bonds to unite Americans and his health care plan which ensures all Americans and delivers quality local health care were sound, practical and innovative. His honesty and integrity are obvious. In the last few months, John's message has stressed that our policy and leadership choices are really moral choices, deeply based on our American values. John ties public policy, public service, and our moral beliefs together with his faith-based belief that these are things we must do. The message is inspiring and I know now how deeply committed John is to making these things happen, not just because they are good ideas but because they are moral imperatives. You can't ask for anymore, nor should you ask for any less from a President. That's why I'm endorsing John Delaney."

Delaney is currently in the midst of a 40 town tour of rural Iowa.

Get Out the Vote Rally for Bernie Sanders in Hennepin County with Rep. Ilhan Omar on Friday, January 17, 2020

Get Out the Vote Rally for Bernie Sanders in Hennepin County with Rep. Ilhan Omar on Friday, January 17, 2020    

Hosted by Bernie Sanders for Minnesota

Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th St
Minneapolis, MN 55487

The doors open at 7:50 a.m. and the event starts at 8:10 a.m.

Friday, January 17, 2020 8:00am–10:00am CST

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/201288/

Comedian and Actor Dave Chappelle Endorses Andrew Yang for President

COMEDIAN AND ACTOR DAVE CHAPPELLE ENDORSES ANDREW YANG FOR PRESIDENT, WILL CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Today, comedian and actor Dave Chappelle officially endorsed Andrew Yang for president and announced he will perform two shows in South Carolina on January 29 and 30 to benefit the campaign.

“I’m Yang Gang!” said Chappelle. The two-time Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian is best known for his sketch comedy series, Chappelle’s Show. In October 2019, Chappelle was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, considered the country’s highest honor in comedy.

“Dave is one of the most important voices in our country today and I’m thrilled he has thrown his support behind this campaign,” said Andrew Yang. “He and I share similar concerns about the future and hopes for what it could be. We are also parents who see the world that we are leaving to our kids and believe they deserve better.”

Chappelle’s endorsement follows Andrew Yang’s stunning $16.5 million haul in the final fundraising quarter of 2019, along with endorsements from actors Ken Jeong, Steven Yeun and Donald Glover.

Ticket information will be released soon.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

Township Auditorium
7:00 pm ET
1703 Taylor St.
Columbia, SC

Thursday, Jan. 30

North Charleston Performing Arts Center
7:00 pm ET
5001 Coliseum Dr.
North Charleston, SC

Mike Bloomberg in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, January 18, 2020

Mike Bloomberg in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, January 18, 2020

Hosted by Bloomberg 2020 for Utah

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

This event’s address is private. Sign up for more details.

Come meet Mike Bloomberg in SLC! Details to TBA

Saturday, January 18, 2020
4:30pm–5:30pm MST

https://events.mikebloomberg.com/event/201305/

Deval Patrick for All To Air New Ad In New Hampshire During CNN Debate

Deval for All To Air New Ad In New Hampshire During CNN Debate
New ad, “American Dream,” gives New Hampshire voters a look at Governor Patrick’s life and professional experience

MANCHESTER, NH - During tonight’s debate, Deval Patrick’s campaign for president will air a new 30-second ad on CNN. The ad will offer New Hampshire voters an overview of Governor Patrick’s life and professional experience. This ad placement comes on the heels of the campaign’s announcement of its six-figure ad buy last week. The ad will continue to run in New Hampshire after the debate.

“There’s no frontrunner in this race, and our campaign continues to build momentum in New Hampshire as other campaigns have started to wind down,” Campaign Manager Abe Rakov said. “As more voters hear Deval’s story, they are convinced that he’s the candidate with the life and leadership experience to defeat Donald Trump and renew the American Dream for everyone, everywhere.”

Entitled “American Dream” the 30-second spot was shot in Boston and Governor Patrick’s hometown, on the South Side of Chicago. In the ad, Governor Patrick tells the story of his experience living the American dream. “I've led the Civil Rights division in the US Department of Justice, worked to make businesses more fair and socially responsible, and delivered first in the nation results as the only Democrat elected Governor of Massachusetts in 30 years. I'm living my American Dream, and I'm running for president to be sure you get to live yours,” Governor Patrick says in the ad. In closing the ad, he says, “I approve this message because where other candidates have ideas, I have results.”

The ad can be viewed here.

John Delaney Releases New Iowa Ad to Air During Democratic Debate

John Delaney Releases New Iowa Ad to Air During Democratic Debate

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS, MD - In a new ad to air tonight during the Democratic Debate, John Delaney delivers a call for “a real plan to bring jobs and entrepreneurship to small towns that are shrinking and aging and being left behind.” In the ad which is running statewide Tuesday, Delaney tells Iowa voters that he has stayed in the race to fight for them, and how he is the only candidate with real ideas and practical solutions that can actually get done.

Delaney, who is in the midst of a 40 town tour of rural Iowa, says in the ad:

“I’ve stayed in this fight for you. I’ve done more events than any candidate and I know in my heart that our extraordinary nation remains one of unlimited potential and that my unique ideas on infrastructure, trade, climate and national service are needed to help realize it. They are all big ideas, based on facts and they can get done."

"And I’m also the only one running with a real plan to bring jobs and entrepreneurship to small towns that are shrinking and aging and being left behind."

"As the son of a union construction worker and the only one running who was successful in business and in government. I’ve got a track record of getting things done and bringing people together. I want to do the same for you.”

The sixty-second ad can be viewed here.

Texas Representative Joaquin Castro Endorses Elizabeth Warren for President

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair and Texas Representative Joaquin Castro Endorses Elizabeth Warren for President
Castro’s support comes as the campaign’s Texas operation expands, local officials endorse

San Antonio, TX – Today, the Warren for President campaign announced Texas Representative Joaquin Castro endorsed Elizabeth Warren for President. Castro serves as the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and has represented Texas’ 20th District in San Antonio for four terms. A native son of Texas, Representative Joaquin Castro grew up on the west side of San Antonio and like Senator Warren, has fought for working and marginalized families throughout his career.

Castro’s support follows a series of endorsements from local officials and activists across San Antonio, Houston, and Austin and the endorsement of former San Antonio mayor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro.

The campaign has announced its Texas State Director Jenn Longoria and already has over two dozen senior staffers and organizers across the state, who have been on the ground since the summer. Texas for Warren has opened offices in San Antonio and Austin, which brought together hundreds of supporters to show them all the ways they can get involved, and will open its next office in Houston this Friday, January 17th.

“Today, I’m endorsing Senator Elizabeth Warren for President, because she’s going to make sure that everyone has great opportunities to achieve their dreams and get ahead. Senator Warren is also the only candidate who can unite the Democratic Party and our country, two things essential to defeating Donald Trump and restoring America’s leadership role at home and abroad,” said Representative Castro. “Senator Warren is going to fight for all of us, including for people who came from neighborhoods like mine. That’s why I’m proud to be in this fight with her.”

"I'm grateful to have earned the support of Chairman Joaquin Castro in this fight. Joaquin has been a leader on issues near and dear to my heart - from investing in public education for our kids to ensuring our military families and veterans are supported,” said Warren. "With his support in this campaign, we will build a movement that elects Democrats up and down the ballot and places opportunity in the hands of all working families in Texas and across the country.”

Since announcing her presidential campaign, Warren has visited Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston, where she also got her first job as a law professor, and taught at UT-Austin Law School. She grew up next door in Oklahoma and lived in Texas for over ten years.

New Jersey Congressman Tom Malinowski Endorses Joe Biden

New Jersey Congressman Tom Malinowski Endorses Joe Biden
Malinowski Becomes 5th Frontline Member to Back Biden

This morning, Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-7) released the following statement endorsing Joe Biden for President of the United States:

“I am proud to endorse Joe Biden to be president of the United States.

“We need a nominee who can calm partisan divisions, unify the country, and, once elected, rebuild our government institutions and leadership in the world. Joe Biden will run the campaign we need to win in November; defend the middle class, and restore decency, honesty, and respect for the rule of law to the White House. He already enjoys diverse support within our party and he knows how to lift up the voices of all Americans. As a former Assistant Secretary of State, I am also eager to support a nominee with the experience to restore the place of respect America once occupied on the world stage. Joe Biden can do that.

“I enthusiastically supported Cory Booker until his decision to withdraw from the race yesterday, and thank him for running one of the most principled, positive and unifying campaigns I’ve ever seen. There are many other extraordinary candidates still in the race. But with our democracy at stake, we need to come together around a candidate who will unite Americans who believe we can do better.”

Congressman Malinowski becomes the fifth Frontline Member of Congress to back Biden, joining Abby Finkenauer (IA-1), Conor Lamb (PA-17), Elaine Luria (VA-2), and Colin Allred (TX-32). Additionally, Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) — who won a Trump district — endorsed Biden yesterday, and recent endorser Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6) flipped her district red to blue. Biden for President has previously announced more than 1,100 endorsements from national, state, and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, community leaders, and national security professionals.

Pete Buttigieg Returns to New Hampshire on Friday, January 17, 2020

Pete Buttigieg to Return to New Hampshire on January 17
This Will Be Buttigieg’s Sixteenth Trip to the Granite State

Manchester, NH — Pete Buttigieg will hold a town hall in Concord on Friday, January 17. The trip — which will be Buttigieg’s sixteenth visit to New Hampshire — comes less than two weeks after Buttigieg’s four-day, eight-town hall visit across the state, where he drew nearly 5,600 people to his events.

Friday, January 17, 2020

10:00 AM ET: Town Hall in Concord
• Location: Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Ave, Concord, NH 03301
• Members of the public can RSVP here. https://www.mobilize.us/newhampshireforpete/event/200518/