Special Election Update: NOM is Here!
We are now two weeks away from the election in SD 18 and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), Bob Vander Plaats, and extreme right-wing anti-equality advocates are again pushing their political agenda in order to influence this important election. They have publicly endorsed a candidate, launched an attack ad, organized volunteers to knock on doors, and have mailed fliers to voters in the district.
It is no surprise that they are spending out-of-state money to inject their anti-equality agenda into this election. These well-funded organizations will stop at nothing to take away rights from LGBT Iowans and we have two weeks to make sure the pro-equality voice is heard in this election.
Here is what they are up to:
- NOM has publicly endorsed Cindy Golding, the Republican candidate who has stated that she supports a vote on the marriage ban. Running against her is Liz Mathis, a Democrat who has stated that she supports the 2009 unanimous marriage decision, and has expressed her desire to focus on jobs and the economy which are the most pressing issues in her district.
- NOM has also dropped their first flier designed to scare voters and bully them into voting against a candidate who values equality. The mailer states that the “future of marriage” hangs in the balance of the election.
- The anti-equality Concordia Group has spent money on an anti-marriage attack ad that uses the same old tired scare tactics of doom and gloom to support Cindy Golding
- And finally, the Family Research Council and NOM will be dusting off their so-called “Values Voters Bus” for a national tour and they plan to stop in Cedar Rapids on the Sunday before the election.
We can and must beat their rhetoric. We know that when NOM gets involved, they spend out-of-state money to tell half-truths and influence elections here in our home state. We also know that anti-gay opponents here in Iowa will stop at nothing to harm Iowa families.
As you know, this election is important for the future of our Legislature and the outcome will determine who controls our Senate. Until now, we have enjoyed a fair-minded majority that values job creation, equality, and education. With that majority at stake, NOM and Bob Vander Plaats have stepped in to turn this election into a referendum on marriage and harming Iowa families.
The time is now. Our opposition is mobilizing and we have 15 days to make sure the pro-equality voice is heard in this election. To date, we have identified 650 new supporters in the district and we need your help to reach the rest of the pro-equality voters in SD 18 and get them to the polls. This is a huge task and we have a team of volunteers, staff, supporters, and allies working to make this possible.
Iowa is better than this.
