Fetterman roasts 2024 GOP candidates as Iowa Democrats rally at fundraiser
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ALTOONA, Iowa — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman mocked the 2024 Republican presidential field here Saturday evening, headlining the Iowa Democratic Party's annual Liberty & Justice fundraiser as leaders rallied supporters and donors.
"You might agree that the GOP is not sending their best and brightest to Iowa," the Pennsylvania senator said, jokingly asking for a "moment of silence" for Mike Pence's recently suspended campaign. "You must be getting so tired of these people."
He expressed ardent support for President Joe Biden's re-election effort, remarking that "if you are a Democrat that wants to criticize and go after Joe Biden, our president, go ahead and write a check for Trump."
Iowa "reminds me of a red county in my state of Pennsylvania," Fetterman said, thanking Iowa Democrats for doing "the hard work" as they aim to retake seats in the statehouse and on Capitol Hill after a disappointing 2022 election cycle.
Party leaders told supporters that despite a wave of Republican victories last cycle, better performances were on the horizon. Chair Rita Hart said Democrats were "on the road to a comeback," and State Auditor Rob Sand called the party "a team that is way better than our record shows."
"Our worst days are behind us," House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said. "I know that in my bones."
Republican priorities and policies on abortion restrictions, private school scholarships and a host of other issues were roundly criticized, with Hart declaring that Democrats would "bring balance back to the state of Iowa."
Democrats needed to re-activate voters that stayed home in 2022, they said, to unseat key targets — such as state Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn in the 3rd District.
"It will not happen overnight," said Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum said, laying out a plan for Democrats to retake the state Senate by picking up "nine new seats by 2029" and taking control by 2030, in time for the next decade's redistricting process.
Party leaders gather with eyes on 3rd District, conflict among members on Israel
The annual fundraiser comes as Iowa Democratic leaders gear up for the 2024 election cycle and navigate recent divisions among factions in the party.
A key seat on next year's ballot, the 3rd U.S. House district, remains without a formally announced Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn — though former U.S. Department of Agriculture official Lanon Baccam has indicated he is considering a run.
Last week, a rift erupted between IDP Chair Rita Hart and Democratic chapters at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, after the Iowa chapter released a statement declaring that they "shamelessly and fully support Palestine" amid the Israel-Hamas war.
More: State party chair calls on University of Iowa Democrats to resign amid statement on Israel-Hamas war
Hart called for the student leaders' resignations in a statement, which led the Iowa State chapter to declare they were disaffiliating from the state party. It also drew condemnations from the party's Progressive and Arab American Caucuses.
Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Fetterman roasts 2024 GOP field, backs Biden at Iowa Democrats event
