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Iowa House Speaker Pro Tempore Polly Bukta, D-Clinton, has become the ninth member of the Iowa legislature to endorse Delaware Sen. Joe Biden. With the addition of Bukta, the campaign's endorsement list includes five members of the Iowa House Leadership.

Biden was one of four candidates to attend Bukta's annual corn boil held in August. Biden was the final speaker of the day and many in the stands at Riverfront Stadium in Clinton had moved to the grounds, most scampering after New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards on a quest for pictures and autographs.

On that day, Biden spoke forcefully about his plan for Iraq and his reasoning for voting to continue funding.

"The truth is that when we voted several months ago on dealing with whether we were going to fund the troops another six months -- the truth is I was the only Democrat to vote for it," he said. "I know a lot of you are angry. Every other Democratic candidate running for president was among the 14 'no' votes. I was told that voting to fund the troops could cost me the election here in Iowa. But, ladies and gentlemen, the truth is as long as there is a single American troop in Iraq... we have a sacred obligation to protect them."

Bukta, who organized for Biden during his previous run for the White House, is a strong legislative figure in Clinton and the surrounding area and, as such, was wooed by many presidential campaigns. The decision, she said, came down to loyalty and experience.

“I’ve known Joe Biden for over 20 years," she said. "His loyalty and honesty are second to none - and those are two critical qualities I am looking for in the next President. However, perhaps even more important to me, is how we are going to bring our men and women home from Iraq safely. Joe Biden is the only candidate with a thoughtful and sensible political plan to do just that.”

Bukta, a lifelong educator, recently retired after 33 years in the Clinton Community School District, where she taught 5th grade. She currently serves on the Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs and Local Government Committees.

“Polly represents the best our party has to offer” said Biden. “She is a mom, a school teacher, and a leading legislator in Iowa. She is a woman who knows what it takes to bring both parties together in delivering results for Iowa’s families.”