Joe Biden Increases Iowa Grassroots Support

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 411

Joe Biden continued to add strength to his Iowa ground game today with the announcement of more than fifty local elected officials, veteran Democratic activists and community leaders from more than twenty Iowa counties who have joined the Biden campaign's statewide steering committee.

In a press release issued by Biden's campaign, Dubuque County Sheriff Ken Runde said, "I am endorsing Sen. Biden because over the years he’s been the Democrats’ leader in supporting law enforcement, and as a veteran myself, I believe he is best prepared to resolve the war in Iraq and is right to support our troops. Joe Biden is as down to earth as you can get and he is a fair and honest man."

"I looked over the field and talked to friends and family who had Joe Biden at the top of their list," added Paulee Lipsman, a former DNC member and veteran of many Iowa caucuses. "I have finally decided, as have many others, that Joe Biden in fact will make a great president and I want to do everything I can to help him win."

“We are honored that these Iowans pledged to support Sen. Biden. This group of community leaders reveals the grassroots energy behind Sen. Biden that’s spreading across Iowa. We look forward to their help in building toward a successful caucus day.” said Biden for President Political Director Danny O’Brien.

The full list of individuals who endorsed Joe Biden for President today includes:
- Paulee Lipsman, Former Member of the Democratic National Committee, Polk County
- Ken Runde, Dubuque County Sheriff
- Grant Veeder, Black Hawk County Auditor
- Chuck Larson, Fremont County Supervisor
- Craig White, Black Hawk County Supervisor
- Marty Larsen, Sheriff of Chickasaw County
- Bob Elliott, Democratic Activist, Johnson County
- Les Aasheim, Mayor of Clive, Polk County
- Sharon Aasheim, Democratic Activist, Polk County
- Ann Michalski, Dubuque City Councilwoman, Dubuque County
- Susan Dunek, Keokuk City Councilwoman, Lee County
- Lou Galetich, Norwalk School Board Member, Boone County
- George Meinecke, Norwalk School Board Member, Warren County
- Jill Morrill, Johnston School Board Member, Polk County
- Margaret Moore, Walker Councilwoman, Linn County
- Everett Moore, Former Walker Mayor, Linn County
- Don Schultz, Former State Representative, Black Hawk County
- Gene Blanshan, Former State Representative, Guthrie County
- Chuck Taylor, Fayette County Democratic Party Chair
- Jamie Hogan, Adams County Democratic Party Chair
- Don Wills, Vice Chair of the Greene County Democratic Central Committee
- Jim Carnahan, Former Polk County Democratic Chair
- Steve Hodge, Former School Board Member, Former Polk County Democratic Party Chair, Dubuque County
- Doug Jones, Vice Chair of the Decatur County Democratic Central Committee
- Diane Bolte, Clinton County Democratic Secretary
- Matt Porter, President of CWA Local 7108, Black Hawk County
- Laurie Soroka, Vice President of CWA Local 7102, Polk County
- Nick Powers, UAW Local 838 Member, Black Hawk County
- Don Krause, Des Moines, Polk County
- Linda Krause, Des Moines, Polk County
- Pat Johnson, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Union, Retired, Clinton County
- Tom Avenarius, Dubuque Candidate for State Representative, UAW Retiree and Vietnam Veteran
- Steve Wandro, Attorney and Democratic Activist, Polk County
- Sara Riley, Local Attorney, Linn County
- Nate Boulton, Labor Lawyer and Democratic Activist, Polk County
- U.J. Booth, Local Attorney, Community Activist and Veteran, Clarke County
- Linda Booth, Community Activist, Clarke County
- Carlton Blackburn, President of Connections, Johnson County
- Arleon Kelley, Methodist Minister, Fayette County
- Doug Burks, Chief Pharmacist Winneshiek Medical Center, Winneshiek County
- Sue Burks, Pharmacist and Small Business Owner, Winneshiek County
- Debbie Hillman, Shenandoah Hospital Nurse, Page County
- Steven Schmit, Ed. D., Director of the Division of Postdoctoral Training for the American Osteopathic Association, Black Hawk County
- Anita Quirk, Educator, Chickasaw County
- Marylyn Bruce, Democratic Activist, Polk County
- Cheri Canier, Democratic Activist, Clinton County
- Mike Finnegan, Democratic Activist, Clermont, Fayette County
- Cathy Hermes, Democratic Activist, Davenport, Scott County
- Mary Kennedy, Democratic Activist, Polk County
- JoAnn McKibben, Cumming, Warren County
- Barry McKibben, Cumming, Warren County
- Gabriel Russo, St. Charles, Madison
- Patty Russo, St. Charles, Madison