Beto for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Beto Earns Endorsement from Des Moines Immigration Activist: “Beto Believes in Us”  

DES MOINES, IA — As President Trump ramps up his extreme and cruel immigration-deterrence policies, Beto O’Rourke’s Iowa campaign announced the endorsement of Isabel Conn, a Mexican-American immigrant rights activist in Des Moines. Conn has long fought to help immigrants thrive in Iowa, including running the group Dance Without Borders and advocating to make Des Moines a ‘welcome city’ for immigrants. The endorsement highlights Beto’s long record as an immigration advocate and his commitment to both listening to and fighting for America’s immigrant community. 
 
Click here to watch Isabel’s endorsement video.

“I would like to feel welcome and I believe that Beto could do that for us — could make people feel welcome, could make people feel safe. That’s the most important thing,” said Isabel Conn, an immigrant activist in Iowa. “Safety in our communities — [enacting] immigration reforms that work, that do not divide families — I feel like Beto could do that. They’re not criminals. They’re workers, they’re mothers, they’re teachers, they’re doctors, they’re professors — they bring so much to this country and I believe Beto believes in us too.”

In May, Beto announced a comprehensive immigration plan that would create a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented people and make naturalization easier for nearly 9 million eligible immigrants; establish a first­-of-its-­kind community­-based visa; end the cruel policies of the Trump administration; and promote security in the Northern Triangle with a $5 billion investment in Central America through non-governmental organizations, community groups, congregations, public-private partnerships, and spurring financial support from international partners. 

Read Beto’s full plan to rewrite our immigration laws in our image: www.betoorourke.com/immigration.

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Beto for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Beto Responds to Trump Ethanol Giveaway, Earns Endorsement From Farmer, Former USDA Official

DES MOINES, IOWA — Responding to news that the Trump Administration has reached a deal on ethanol waivers, Beto O’Rourke’s Iowa campaign announced the endorsement of Doug Thompson, an Iowa farmer who also served in President Clinton’s U.S. Department of Agriculture. This endorsement underscores Beto’s commitment to holding Trump accountable for his disastrous trade war. 
 
Click here to watch Doug’s endorsement video.

“This announcement fails to fix the damage Donald Trump has already done to Iowa farmers like my family and me. From his illegal ethanol waivers under coal lobbyist-turned-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, to his ongoing trade war that has cost Iowa farmers billions of dollars, Donald Trump has been a disaster for rural America. This announcement is nothing but a thinly-veiled political stunt to distract folks from the lasting damage done by Trump’s Administration,” said Doug Thompson, an Iowa farmer and a former USDA official under President Clinton. “Beto O’Rourke is the right choice to lead us out of Trump’s mess; from his commitment to trade that benefits American producers, growers and workers, to his steadfast support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. I’m proud to stand behind Beto O’Rourke for President.”

During the Democratic debate in Houston, Beto highlighted his plan for farmers, including paying them for their environmental work, planting more cover crops, keeping more land under conservation, using no-till farming and regenerative agriculture to pull carbon out of the air. During the Democratic debate in Detroit, Beto was the first candidate to stand up for Iowa’s farmers and highlight how Donald Trump’s damaging trade war is economically hurting Iowa’s agricultural economy. 

Beto has been a fierce critic of Trump’s approach to trade relations with China, a country that needs to be held accountable for its international trade practices without it coming at the direct expense of hardworking Iowans. Trump’s trade war with China and Mexico has already resulted in farmers seeing a nearly $12 billion drop in annualized earnings in the first quarter of 2019 — hitting Iowa, a top corn and soybean-exporting state, especially hard. 

In a CNN op-ed, Beto highlighted the stories he’s heard from farmers in Iowa and across the country about the impact of Donald Trump’s dangerous trade wars and economic policies. As Trump continues to waste Iowa farmers’ money and time with his reckless trade wars, Beto has been going to rural communities to listen and learn from them on how we move forward.
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Beto for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, September 27, 2019

Following Breakout Steak Fry Showing, Beto Earns Iowa Endorsements

Activists, Former USDA Official, Students Praise Beto’s Leadership, Unique Style of Campaigning
 
DES MOINES, IOWA — Beto for Iowa announced the endorsements of nine Iowa activists, leaders, and students today. These endorsers come after Beto’s standout performance at the Polk County Democrats Steak Fry, where he received a standing ovation from more than 12,000 Iowans, and his wide-ranging discussion in Waterloo on gun violence prevention, the intersection of poverty and race, and transformational justice. Beto’s campaigned in Iowa’s largest cities and smallest towns, writing no one off and taking no one for granted. Today’s endorsements bring Beto’s total Iowa endorsements to 37.

“Beto’s approach is paying off across Iowa — from having no fear in combatting our gun violence epidemic, to fighting for our farmers, teachers and students — and these endorsements show that we’re picking up momentum as we enter the fourth quarter of 2019,” said Norm Sterzenbach, Iowa State Director.

The full list of endorsements includes:
  • Frank Rottinghaus, Floyd County Treasurer
  • Peggy Sherrets, Mayor of Oelwein 
  • Mark Rocha, Board Member, Asian and Latino Coalition & Political Director CWA 7102  
  • Doug Thompson, former USDA official and Hancock County Farmer
  • Don Dew, President of Sioux City Pride and Co-Founder of Siouxland Pride Alliance
  • Jose Maldonado, Founder, Lambda Softball Association of Eastern Iowa 
  • Tommy Hexter, Founder, Grinnell College Farm House
  • Bobbie Fox, Sierra Club member and Environmental Activist, Cedar Falls
  • Reverend H. Milton Cole-Duvall, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, West Des Moines

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Beto for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 15, 2019

Beto For Iowa Announces Eleven Field Offices to Open Across State and Nearly Two Dozen Grassroots Endorsements 

With Eleven Offices, O’Rourke’s Field Operation Amongst Largest in State 

DES MOINES, IA — Building off of great momentum from the O’Rourke’s first family trip to Iowa, Beto For Iowa today made several key announcements about the growth of the campaign’s footprint in the Hawkeye State. O’Rourke’s field operation is now amongst the largest in Iowa with 11 field offices. They also announced: 
  • A wave of 22 new activist endorsements
  • Attended 11 Lights for Liberty vigils across Iowa on Friday night to protest the inhumane treatment and conditions of immigrants and asylum seekers
“The only way we take back this country is by bringing everyone into our democracy — and here in Iowa, our team building a grassroots campaign where every Iowan’s voice is at the core of our solutions. We’re growing our movement throughout the summer, so that every Iowan, regardless if they have caucused or not and regardless of whether they’re a Democrat, Republican, or wants to put country over party, knows they’re in the right place with Team Beto,” said Norm Sterzenbach, Iowa State Director. 

The 22 new activist endorsements are:
  1. Tavis Hall, Waterloo Community Leader
  2. Andy Auge, Educator, Loras College 
  3. Dr. Richard Salas, Polk County Activist
  4. Beatrice Silva-Salas, Polk County Activist
  5. David Goodson, Waterloo Community Leader
  6. Jerry Hageman, Vice Chair, Black Hawk County Democratic Party 
  7. Joan Bolin-Betts, former Iowa Deputy State Treasurer 
  8. Joe Gorton, President, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence — Iowa Chapter; Former President, United Faculty — UNI 
  9. Patrick Chambers, Attorney, Webster County 
  10. Megan McEvoy, Vice President, University of Iowa College Democrats
  11. Megan Mineart, Secretary, Law and Politics Society at Mount Mercy University
  12. Margaret Peterson, Vice President, Law and Politics Society at Mount Mercy University
  13. Michael James, Woodbury County Youth Activist 
  14. David Drissell, Educator, Iowa Central Community College 
  15. Reenie Montgomery, 2018 Candidate for Iowa House District 96
  16. Sarah Murphy Mannheimer, Des Moines Community Leader
  17. David Lopez, Educator, DMACC
  18. Lydia Pesek, President, Iowa Climate Strike 
  19. Randy Larson, Former Iowa City Councilman and business leader 
  20. Grace Van Cleave, Polk County Activist
  21. Teresa Schneider, Moms Demand Action — Iowa City 
  22. Renee Penalver, President, American Association of University Women — Cedar Rapids
     
By the end of this week, O’Rourke’s field operation will be amongst the largest in Iowa with 11 field offices. The field offices will be open in:
  1. Ames
  2. Burlington
  3. Cedar Rapids
  4. Council Bluffs
  5. Davenport
  6. Des Moines
  7. Dubuque
  8. Iowa City
  9. Ottumwa
  10. Sioux City
  11. Waterloo
Beto for America was the only presidential campaign to announce widespread participation in the “Lights for Liberty” vigils and joined events in South Carolina, New Hampshire, and El Paso along with Iowa. Beto’s organizers and volunteers attended 11 vigils across Iowa, and 22 vigils across the country. Beto spoke at a vigil in New Hampshire on Friday night to protest the inhumane treatment and conditions of immigrants and asylum seekers.

Beto will be back in Iowa this week to attend the AARP/The Des Moines Register Forum in Sioux City on Friday, July 19. He will also host a town hall in Sioux County, which voted overwhelmingly for President Trump and invite Iowans from the other “SOLO” Counties — Sioux, Osceola, Lyon, and O’Brien Counties in northwest Iowa. On his last trip, Beto visited Williams, a town with a population of less than 350 people, to meet with and listen to the concerns of the community. According to the Des Moines Register, “many residents said they couldn't remember the last time in recent years a candidate had stopped there.”
 
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Beto for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 10, 2019

Beto O’Rourke Earns Endorsement of Dubuque County Recorder John Murphy

Announcement Follows O’Rourke’s Sixth Trip to Iowa

DES MOINES, IA — Following Beto O’Rourke’s sixth trip to the Hawkeye State, and his first trip with Amy and their three kids, the campaign earned the endorsement of Dubuque County Recorder John Murphy.

“I am proud to endorse Beto O’Rourke for President because of his deep commitment to issues like fighting climate change and protecting our veterans. He’s leading us in a new kind of politics that takes no one for granted and writes nobody off. That’s what we need to inspire the Democratic Party and secure victories up and down the ballot in November 2020. Beto is the real deal and I’m looking forward to helping him and his campaign organize across Iowa,” said John Murphy.

“John Murphy is a true leader in his community and we are proud to earn his endorsement. We’re building an organization that will win in February by going everywhere and engaging everyone. John is going to be an important part of that work going forward,” said Norm Sterzenbach, Beto O’Rourke’s Iowa State Director.

Beto has taken nearly 500 questions from Iowans in 43 counties since launching his campaign in March and has brought the ideas and experiences of Iowans into his campaign and vision for the country. He has met with Iowans in small towns, big cities, and has held house parties in a variety of areas across the state, including counties that went for President Obama but flipped to President Trump, Democratic strongholds, and rural Iowa.

O’Rourke has also earned the endorsements of the following Iowa elected officials:
  • Former Iowa Rep. Nate Willems
  • Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson
  • Polk County Soil and Water District Commissioner Lou McDonald 
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Beto for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 7, 2019

O’Rourke Campaign Announces Endorsement from Former Rep. Nate Willems and Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson

Building on the momentum of the campaign’s first Weekend of Action,
local Iowa leaders throw their support for Beto O’Rourke

DES MOINES, IOWA — Today Beto O’Rourke’s campaign in Iowa announced the endorsement of former Rep. Nate Willems and Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson.

“Beto O’Rourke continues to be a leading voice on the most important issues this country faces. What’s at stake in 2020 is the dignity of work, the clear threat of climate change, women’s reproductive rights, and the future of our democracy, and O’Rourke is exactly the kind of bold leader this country needs right now,” said Willems. From Mount Vernon, Nate Willems previously represented Iowa House District 29 and remains a fierce advocate for workers rights and progressive values.

“I’m proud to stand with Beto O’Rourke and his bold, ambitious climate change plan. He’s ready to confront the existential crisis that is threatening our farmers, homes and businesses all across Iowa and the United States,” said Supervisor Oleson. Oleson was first elected to the Linn County Board of Supervisors in 2008 and has been a leader on environmental and conservation issues in his community.

O’Rourke returns to the Hawkeye state this weekend to continue talking with and listening to Iowans wherever they are. In his first joint trip with Amy O’Rourke, they will be talking with farmers impacted by the trade war, joining activists at Capital City Pride, and attending Hall of Fame.

With 67 town halls and 36 counties visited thus far, O’Rourke has visited the most counties in Iowa of any other presidential candidate this cycle to meet with, listen to, and learn from Iowans in every corner of the state.
 
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Beto for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 24, 2019

O’Rourke Campaign Announces Endorsement from Lou McDonald, Polk County Soil and Water Commissioner

After the CNN Town Hall in Des Moines, Polk County Democrat is all in for Beto O’Rourke

DES MOINES, IOWA — Today Beto O’Rourke’s campaign in Iowa announced the endorsement of Lou McDonald, Polk County Soil and Water District Commissioner.

“I walked into Beto’s town hall undecided on Tuesday night — and I walked out ready to support him as the next President of the United States. He shares Iowans’ stories with the compassion we need, and I was very impressed with his answer on conservation, agriculture, and how we work together to solve these crises facing us,” said McDonald.

The endorsement comes after Beto O’Rourke’s CNN Townhall held at Drake University in Des Moines, which was part of O’Rourke’s fourth trip to the Hawkeye State. He spent three days traveling across Iowa where he toured flood damage in Davenport and had conversations with Iowans in Davenport and Tipton about how we fight the effects of climate change, uphold women’s reproductive rights, and keep our families safe from our nation’s gun violence epidemic.

With 67 town halls and 36 counties visited thus far, O’Rourke has visited the most counties in Iowa of any other presidential candidate this cycle to meet with, listen to, and learn from Iowans in every corner of the state.

and note...
Early endorsement from State Rep. Brian Meyer (District 33, Des Moines) reported: "The Latest: Beto O'Rourke picks up more endorsements."  AP, Mar. 14, 2019.