As elections approach, Iowans should take advantage of this opportunity and move on from Chuck Grassley by voting for Michael Franken.

There are many things that Senator Grassley has not done well, which calls for fresh leadership. For instance, for a longer time, Grassley has sided with his party bosses and special interest groups that fund his campaigns to shut down legislation to cut the cost of drugs, oppose plans to reduce insulin prices to $35 per month, and back extreme legislation that deprives women of their freedom and bans abortions without any exceptions. As a result of these misdoings, Iowans deserve fresh leadership, which can be found in Franken.

Franken is an Iowan by birth. He served as the first commanding officer of the USS Winston S. Churchill. He boasts of great experience in the Pentagon, starting with a legislative tour with Senator Edward Kennedy, and later in various strategy, planning, and policy ranks involving Europe, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and Africa. As someone who has served in the US Navy and the Pentagon, Franken is familiar with the global challenge of Russian aggression, as well as the propaganda and disinformation mechanisms employed by Vladimir Putin.

Franken has been present when needed to serve the country and stand for the right thing. He stood out as the only person who opposed George W. Bush's attack on Iraq. While serving in Obama's administration, he oversaw several successful missions to safeguard the nation, including leading U.S. troops to fight pirates and terrorists in Africa. With that kind of experience and character, Franken is ripe to assume corporate special interests and make Iowa a leader in affordable healthcare, renewable energy, and job opportunities.

Franken is focusing his campaigns on various issues that directly affect people in Iowa. On democracy, Franken believes that democracy is the gateway to opportunity. The kind of authoritarian leadership that Iowa has been subjected to closes doors to opportunity. There is also a threat to democracy where individuals' right to vote and civil liberties have been attacked. Iowans need to wake up and save their democracy from crumbling as a result of false propaganda and GOP lies by voting for a leader who respects democracy. Franken is not only concerned about democracy in the U.S. but also abroad. At a time when the Republicans are applying suppressive tactics to silence the majority, Franken has demonstrated that he is capable of safeguarding democracy – which will be made possible with him in the Senate. His past service creates hope that he is a leader that can work tirelessly to ensure special interests carry the day. 

While announcing their endorsement of Franken, League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, "Admiral Franken understands the national security threat that a changing climate poses to future generations and is committed to tackling environmental issues head-on."   

Iowans should give Admiral Franken their votes; he represents a luminous future for Iowa and America.