Latest In

News

Last minute spending by NOM, Citizens United in Iowa’s SD 18 election

Citizens United, a conservative political group based in Washington, D.C., is making independent expenditures in Senate District 18 just days before a Nov. 8 special election to decide the balance of power in the Iowa Senate.

Jul 31, 2020189.6K Shares2.5M Views
Citizens United, a conservative political group based in Washington, D.C., is making independent expenditures in Senate District 18 just days before a Nov. 8 special election to decide the balance of power in the Iowa Senate.
The group’s political victory fund spent $3,000 on Nov. 4 for telephone calls supporting Republican Cindy Golding. The calls ran from Nov. 4 to Nov. 6.
Image has not been found. URL: http://media.iowaindependent.com/golding_150-99x150.jpgCindy Golding
Citizens United has several arms, including a tax-exempt non-profit that focuses on limited government, free-market economics and Judeo-Christian values. It also has a documentary film production and marketing piece, which has made movies with Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann and Fred Thompson.
The National Organization for Marriage also made two more independent expenditures on behalf of Golding in recent days, paying for mailings and phone calls on Nov. 3 and 4.
The group spent $1,604 for direct mail on Nov. 3, and $1,539 for phone calls on Nov. 4. Golding is taking on Democrat Liz Mathis, on whose behalf no independent expenditures from outside groups have yet been made.
NOM previously spent$9,757 on Nov. 1 for a direct mailing for Golding in Senate District 18. NOM also spent $9,847 on Oct. 27 and $8,009 on Oct. 18 for direct mailings. On Oct. 20 the group spent $252 for a press release, and on Oct. 21 spent $1,539 for robocalls to 23,683 voters.
Social conservative group The Family Leaderhas also made expenditures on behalf of Golding, totaling $100.
The race is perceived as crucial for advocates and opponents of marriage rights for same-sex couples. Democrats currently control the Iowa Senate, 25 to 24, after Sen. Swati Dandekar (D-Marion) resigned to take a position on the Iowa Utilities Board.
With the Iowa House controlled 60-40 by Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstalhas been the key bulwark to stopping debates on the issue.
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 2009 that the Iowa Constitution’s equal protection clause was violated by a legislative ban on same-sex marriage.
Rhyley Carney

Rhyley Carney

Reviewer
Latest Articles
Popular Articles