NEWS

Sarah Palin coming to Iowa for Joni Ernst and ShePAC event

Jennifer Jacobs
jejacobs@dmreg.com
Image from the ShePAC invitation to the April 27 fundraiser in Des Moines.

"Warrior for conservative women" Sarah Palin is Iowa-bound for a political action committee rally and to stump for Joni Ernst, the U.S. Senate candidate who gained national attention for a campaign ad with a hog castration theme.

ShePAC organizers say their first "Heels On, Gloves Off!" rally of the 2014 election cycle will be in West Des Moines on April 27. The event, at the Hy-Vee Conference Center, is to "support, honor and elect conservative women," according to an email invitation that began circulating Tuesday night.

The headline guests will be Palin, the GOP's 2008 vice presidential nominee; Ernst, who is in a five-way race for the GOP nomination in Iowa's U.S. Senate race; Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is up for re-election in November; U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, who was elected last fall; and former Nebraska Gov. Kay Orr. It's free to attend but an RSVP is required.

Palin has endorsed nine national candidates so far this year, most of whom are running for U.S. Senate. "During the last midterm election cycle in 2010, Palin endorsed 64 candidates," ABC News notes. "Just over half – 33 – of them won their races."

Sirens sounded across Iowa when Palin gave Ernst her official thumbs-up late last month - the 10 a.m. announcement coincided with a statewide tornado drill.

Ernst, a state senator from southwest Iowa, is one of two frontrunners in the high-stakes battle for Iowa's rare open U.S. Senate seat. The other is former Texas utilities executive Mark Jacobs, who has dipped into his personal wealth to spend heavily on TV and radio advertising in Iowa.

All five of the GOP candidates in Iowa have struggled to gain a foothold in Iowa. The others are Sam Clovis, who argues that his experience makes him a cut above the rest; Matt Whitaker, who raised just over $100,000 for his campaign this quarter; and Scott Schaben, who speaks to The Des Moines Register's editorial board today. The vote will take place June 3.

After all of Iowa's most prominent GOP politicians declined to seek the U.S. Senate seat, including Reynolds, a batch of relatively unknown candidates stepped forward. Ernst began to rise after she got big buzz for a campaign ad in which she declares that she "grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm" and will "cut through the pork" in Washington.

Palin, who flirted with a presidential bid in 2012 but decided against it, makes occasional, high-profile trips to Iowa. The last was in November for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's fall fundraiser.

Here's how the ShePAC email described the top guests for its Iowa event:

"State Senator Joni Ernst - Raised on a hog farm in Montgomery County, Iowa, Joni has lived a life of service and has never forgotten where she came from. She has served 21 years in the military, and has been a crusading conservative in the Iowa State Senate. She was ShePAC's 1st endorsement of the 2014 cycle - and we are proud to support her!

"Governor Sarah Palin - Governor Sarah Palin made history as the first Republican woman ever nominated for national office and the first woman ever elected as Governor of Alaska. Recent polls found her to be the most respected figure in the Republican Party today! Her dedication to conservative candidates and causes is inspiring - she is a warrior for conservative women everywhere. There has been no stronger example or advocate for conservative women than Governor Palin and we are truly honored she is joining us.

"U.S. Senator Deb Fischer - Senator Deb Fischer is one of only two pro-life women serving in the U.S. Senate. She was one of the first endorsements ShePAC made in 2012 and credited her victory to our hard work, contributions, encouragement, and support. Her victory was the only pick-up for the GOP in 2012 Senate races.

"Governor Kay Orr - Governor Kay Orr was the 36th Governor of Nebraska. She was born in Iowa and made history as the first Republican woman ever elected as Governor. She was a close friend and ally of President Ronald Reagan - at his last state dinner, President Reagan had Margaret Thatcher seated on his right, and Governor Orr on his left.

"Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds - She is the current Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. Lt. Governor Reynolds worked with Governor Terry Branstad to cut government spending and lower taxes. Their efforts led to Iowa turning a $900 million deficit into a billion-dollar surplus."