Extremist group tries to buy Iowa election

Here they go again.

Only months after the unanimous decision in favor of the freedom to marry in Iowa, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has come to Iowa to take away this freedom with what they call a "targeted intervention" into Iowa politics.

Don't let them.

Yesterday, NOM, a front group for Mormon-funded anti-gay campaigns across the country, launched their "Reclaim Iowa Project," investing tens of thousands of out-of-state dollars to influence an Iowa House special election in rural southeast Iowa.

With the special election a week away, we cannot afford to let these ads go unopposed. We need your help and we need it NOW. To combat these negative messages, we must raise $10,000 by midnight on Friday, August 29.

The secretive New Jersey-based group, known for its multi-million dollar investment to pass California's Proposition 8, reported making an $86,080 ad buy on behalf of candidate Steven Burgmeier, a vocal opponent of civil marriage equality.

The Mormon Church and NOM have invested millions of dollars to spread lies and fear in California and now they have their sights set on rural Iowa. This raises the question: Has Burgmeier been bought and paid for by out-of-state religious extremists? If not, he should reject this divisive advertisment.

A vote for Burgmeier is a vote against equality

The political arm of the Iowa Family Policy Center has released a letter written by former state Rep. Danny Carroll urging voters to elect anti-gay candidate Steve Burgmeier in HD90. The rambling and inflammatory four-page letter by Carroll blamed his electoral defeat on "radical, out-of-state homosexual activists" who supported his opponent. In reality, Carroll was defeated because his constituents were put off by his narrow focus on mean-spirited, divisive politics.

Carroll draws comparisons between his defeat and Democrat Curt Hanson's campaign against Burgmeier. He claims outsiders are funding Hanson in an effort to "buy his anti-family vote in Des Moines." Carroll praises Burgmeier for his divisive and purely symbolic measure asking legislators to push an anti-gay marriage amendment. As Jefferson County Board of Supervisors president, this resolution was meaningless and his bluster a waste of county time.

As representative for HD 90, Caroll claims Burgmeier's would make undermining the freedom to marry his top priority. Instead of focusing issues affecting the majority of Iowans, Burgmeier would apparently push a divisive and mean-spirited measure that would mire the state of Iowa in 2-3 year battle to write discrimination into the Iowa Constitution.

In a severe case of misplaced victimization, Carroll claims the "homosexual agenda" wants to "criminalize all pro-family expression as 'hate speech,' and give homosexuals special rights and privileges as a protected class of citizens." Carroll fails to mention which rights gays and lesbians want that are not already afforded to other Iowans.

In contrast, Hanson's priorities are balancing the state budget, creating good-paying jobs, and education -- issues affecting all Iowans.

Read Carroll's full letter here

Support Fairness Fund's work in HD90

by Fairness Fund PAC Field Organizer Joe Nydle

In fewer than two weeks, voters will go to the polls in southeast Iowa's house district 90. This crucial special election will set the tone for the 2010 elections and next year's legislative session. I'm volunteering my time on behalf of the Fairness Fund PAC to see that our endorsed candidate, Curt Hanson, is elected.

Curt's anti-gay opponent was recently endorsed by Everyday America, an organization that has spearheaded efforts to overturn the recent Iowa Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality. Already, we've seen our opponent go on the air with negative TV ads, designed to spark anger among his base. Please donate today to make sure we have the resources and support on the ground to counter these negative ads!

Support our work to elect a pro-equality candidate in this crucial district!

I'm on the ground, working with Hanson's campaign to ensure his strong finish. Early voting may be the key in this district, so we've deployed teams of door-to-door canvassers to collect and return absentee ballots. Every single vote is important in this neck-and-neck race.

In what may be the opening salvo of the 2010 elections, the Fairness Fund PAC is mobilized to support Curt's candidacy. By defeating his anti-gay candidate, we make clear discrimination is not a winning issue.

In the final week, we will be sending additional volunteers and resources to ensure Curt's victory. Please support our work today!

Fairness Fund working to elect Curt Hanson

A special election in fewer than 30 days will set the tone for the 2010 Legislative Session and next fall’s election. Opponents of equality are mobilizing to elect an anti-gay candidate to replace Rep. John Whitaker in Iowa House District 90 in SE Iowa. Whitaker, a fair-minded legislator who opposed attempts to undermine the Supreme Court's historic ruling, has been appointed to a position at the USDA. Governor Culver has set the special election for September 1.

We must see that Iowa’s fair-minded majority is protected! We only have weeks to go! Donate now to the Fairness Fund PAC to help elect fair-minded legislators!

For September's special election, Democrats have nominated Curt Hanson, a candidate committed to focusing on issues affecting all Iowans: jobs, the economy and education. Republicans have nominated a vocal opponent of equality: Jefferson County supervisor Steve Burgmeier, who helped pass a divisive resolution earlier this year asking legislators to undermine the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision.

The choice is clear! Please contribute to the Fairness Fund PAC today.
With your help, we will keep the seat for proponents of equality.

Make no mistake, a Burgmeier victory would be a boost for opponents of equality.They would use his victory to push for a constitutional amendment next legislative session and overthrow pro-equality candidates in 2010. The Fairness Fund PAC is standing up for our fair-minded legislators who have stood with us. We are mobilizing supporters of equality across the state to see that equality is protected in Iowa, now and in the future. Your support is vital to our efforts. Please give what you can today!

"My priorities are simple: balance the state budget, create good-paying jobs in key industries like renewable energy, make health care more affordable for middle class families, and ensure our kids have the education and skills they need to get a job in these tough economic times."

- Curt Hanson