Essential Estrogen

Republican entrepreneur Steve Rathje has been busy gathering female supporters since early March when he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Tom Harkin.

Bonnie Hall, member of the State Central Committee, has agreed to support the contender, who will likely face opposition in a Republican primary. Her support joins that of State Co-Chair Leon Mosley and fellow SCC members Karl Gilbertson, Dan Nicholson, John Ortega, Loras Schulte and Larry Smith.

Kathy Pearson, president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women, was also announced as having endorsed Rathje and joined the campaign.

Finally, the campaign announced an endorsement from Iowa state Rep. Carmine Boal. Male legislative supporters are Sen. Mark Zieman, Sen. James Seymour, Sen. Dave Mulder, Sen. David Hartsuch, Rep. Rich Anderson, Rep. Steve Lukan, Rep. Clel Baudler and Rep. Dan Rasmussen.

According to a press release from the campaign yesterday, there are "several other Republican women statewide who openly support Rathje's candidacy." Inquiries as to the names of the other women have, thus far, gone without response.