Essential Estrogen

Ruth Harkin, wife to U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, sent a message to friends this week in support of 4th District Congressional candidate Becky Greenwald.

In the letter, Harkin, who is a resident of the 4th District, tells friends that "we have been waiting for a Democrat to represent us for many years, and this is the year we can make it happen with Becky Greenwald." The letter goes on to provide links recipients can click to make contributions to Greenwald's campaign.

I wouldn’t ask you to contribute if I didn't firmly believe it was something Becky can win. In seeing a few races over the years, I know that this is the year to take back the fourth district. Let me point out that this district, for the first time ever, has more registered Democrats than Republicans. Also, my husband won every county in the fourth district the last time he was up for re-election. In fact it was the only district in which he carried every county, so I know this is a winnable race.

Harkin goes on to provide a brief biographical sketch of Greenwald and then gets to the "historical" aspect of the political contest:

Lastly, I’m working to help Becky because this is our opportunity to finally send a woman to Congress from Iowa. Iowa has NEVER sent a woman to DC to represent us, and I am eager to support Becky in this effort.

Greenwald is facing incumbent Republican Tom Latham and Independent William Meyers on the November ballot.