Essential Estrogen

The campaign for New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is announcing endorsements from two eastern Iowa lawmakers today.

Rep. Todd Taylor, House District 34, and Sen. Rob Hogg, Senate District 19, were both rumored to be leaning Clinton after each was given the opportunity to announce the presidential candidate during recent campaign stops in Cedar Rapids.

"I am convinced Hillary Clinton is ready to lead our country and restore America's standing in the world," Hogg said. "Her energy and climate plan would create thousands of new green jobs in Iowa, protector our environment and break our dependence on foreign oil."

Hogg had provided the introduction for Clinton when she rolled out her plan for the environment at the Clipper plant in Cedar Rapids.

"“I took a thoughtful look at the field of presidential candidates, and Hillary Clinton is the only one who has the strength and experience to turn America around,” Taylor said. “She has been a champion of education issues all her life, and I believe in her promise to reclaim the future for our children.”

Taylor, who has also served as a staff member for AFSCME, introduced the candidate during her "Middle Class Express" tour.

Taylor has been a member of the legislature since 1995 and serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader. In addition to the union, he has also served as a commissioner for the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs.

Hogg has been with the state legislature since 2002 and was selected as Legislator of the Year by the Older Iowans Legislature in 2005. He has served on the board of directors for Churches United of Linn County since 2002. He is a past-chairman of the Cedar Wapsie Group of the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club.

The two new nods bring Clinton's legislative scorecard to 18. She is followed by Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who has 15, and Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who has 13. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards has 10 in the endorsement game while Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd has three. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel have not yet been endorsed by members of the Iowa legislature.

There are currently 25 Democratic members of the Iowa House and Senate who remain uncommitted.