Michigan lawmaker touts importance of state elections at Iowa Democratic fundraiser
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave states more power to restrict abortion should energize Democrats' focus on state elections in places like Iowa, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow said Friday.
"You know as well as I do, Iowa, that state legislators are the front lines and the last line of defense right now," she told a crowd at the annual Democratic Wing Ding fundraiser Friday evening at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.
McMorrow was the headline speaker at the event, which included speeches from Iowa Democratic candidates, including U.S. Senate candidate Mike Franken and candidate for governor Deidre DeJear.
McMorrow received national attention in April for a speech on the Michigan state Senate floor in which she responded to an allegation from another legislator that she wants to "groom and sexualize" kindergartners.
She told reporters in Iowa on Friday that she's looking to use the attention by turning the focus on the importance of state elections. As in Iowa, Republicans control both chambers of the Michigan Legislature.
"The focus is there, and part of what I have been trying to do with this moment I didn't ask for — but the attention that I have — is really spreading that message, coming to places like Iowa and talking about (that) it matters, and it matters not just one election cycle, but consistently for decades," she said.
More: RNC chair: Republicans value Iowa caucuses as Democrats are 'absolutely walking away' from the state
Democratic candidates spoke for more than three hours at the fundraiser Friday, some of them praising Congress' vote to pass a sweeping piece of legislation on health care, climate and taxes. Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, while Iowa's three Republican representatives opposed it.
"These are significant times," Franken said, describing legislation that national Democrats recently have passed. "This is what history books will talk about."
Republican Party of Iowa Communications Director Kollin Crompton said in a statement in response to the event that Democrats in the state "have stood by Joe Biden as he destroys our economy and energy independence."
"Every crisis Americans have faced — the border, higher prices, Afghanistan and the baby formula shortage — were all caused by Biden’s weak leadership. Iowans from all walks of life are witnessing what is happening, and they are walking away," Crompton said.
More: A historic number of Iowans say America is on the wrong track. We asked them why they think so.
Among the attendees at Friday night's event was Abby Miller, a 34-year-old nurse from Mason City. She said she normally doesn't vote in midterm elections but is motivated to this year because of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ response to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as a pair of recent court decisions that have opened the door for more restrictions on abortion in the state.
She said she wanted to hear more from the Democratic speakers, particularly DeJear.
"It's just like a boiling pot in America and you just don't know. It's kind of scary, honestly," Miller said. "It made me want to take an active role in voting and deciding what’s going to happen with my kids."
Ian Richardson covers the Iowa Statehouse for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at irichardson@registermedia.com, at 515-284-8254, or on Twitter at @DMRIanR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Sen. Mallory McMorrow encourages Iowa Democrats at party fundraiser
