Iowa City, IA - Congressman Dave Loebsack delivered the following remarks this evening after winning the Democratic nomination in Iowa's Second Congressional District. Below is the text of his remarks, as prepared for delivery.
"Thank you all so much!
"I want to thank all of the great volunteers who have been making phone calls, displaying yard signs, and supporting my campaign.
"I truly could not do any of this without you and I'm incredibly honored by all of the support and enthusiasm you have shown.
"One of the traits of our Democratic Party that makes us great is that we're a big tent - we include folks with all sorts of views and we're stronger for it.
"Senator Seng has served Davenport and our state for years, and I'd like to thank him for his dedicated service and for the respectful primary that was run.
"There are many things he and I agree on and I hope to have his support as we work towards November.
"Because I think we all know that the tough work begins tomorrow.
"We've already seen SuperPacs and national political groups taking an interest in this race. And it's only going to increase starting tomorrow.
"We have our work cut out for us.
"Because November 6th is going to be about choices.
"Do Iowa families come before special interests?
"Do seniors have a safety net in retirement or will their Social Security be privatized and their Medicare turned into vouchers?
"Will Iowa families be able to send their kids to college?
"And will we live in a country where women are paid equal wages for equal work?
"These are the choices that will be made in November.
"And over the next five months, we need to tell Iowans what's at stake.
"It's going to take a lot of work but I'm ready to get to work and I know you are too!
"And it's going to be worth it. Because this election is critical.
"Iowans are hurting.
"And we've been hurting for way too long.
"We're not just worried that our kids and grandkids aren't going to have the same opportunities we had to work hard and succeed; we're worried about jobs and what each day holds for middle-class families who just can't catch a break in this economy.
"But the Republican Congress and their nominee to run our great nation are far more focused on rewarding their special interest backers, ending Medicare as we know it, and declaring a war on women than they are in creating jobs, making sure families can send their kids to college, restoring the American Dream, and rebuilding an economy that works for ALL Iowans.
"That's not just misguided priorities - it's flat out wrong.
"My priority is, and always will be, supporting and strengthening working families and getting Iowans back to work - creating good jobs for hard-working Iowans.
"Iowa's best days are ahead of us.
"And if we fight together, we'll make those better days a reality for everyone.
"Because, if we don't, the Republicans will win and Iowans will lose.
"Our priorities are Iowans' priorities.
"And we must fight together to make those priorities heard.
"I cannot thank all of you enough for your support today and over the past weeks and months.
"I'm looking forward to working shoulder to shoulder with you all the way to victory in November!
"Thank you again!"
"Thank you all so much!
"I want to thank all of the great volunteers who have been making phone calls, displaying yard signs, and supporting my campaign.
"I truly could not do any of this without you and I'm incredibly honored by all of the support and enthusiasm you have shown.
"One of the traits of our Democratic Party that makes us great is that we're a big tent - we include folks with all sorts of views and we're stronger for it.
"Senator Seng has served Davenport and our state for years, and I'd like to thank him for his dedicated service and for the respectful primary that was run.
"There are many things he and I agree on and I hope to have his support as we work towards November.
"Because I think we all know that the tough work begins tomorrow.
"We've already seen SuperPacs and national political groups taking an interest in this race. And it's only going to increase starting tomorrow.
"We have our work cut out for us.
"Because November 6th is going to be about choices.
"Do Iowa families come before special interests?
"Do seniors have a safety net in retirement or will their Social Security be privatized and their Medicare turned into vouchers?
"Will Iowa families be able to send their kids to college?
"And will we live in a country where women are paid equal wages for equal work?
"These are the choices that will be made in November.
"And over the next five months, we need to tell Iowans what's at stake.
"It's going to take a lot of work but I'm ready to get to work and I know you are too!
"And it's going to be worth it. Because this election is critical.
"Iowans are hurting.
"And we've been hurting for way too long.
"We're not just worried that our kids and grandkids aren't going to have the same opportunities we had to work hard and succeed; we're worried about jobs and what each day holds for middle-class families who just can't catch a break in this economy.
"But the Republican Congress and their nominee to run our great nation are far more focused on rewarding their special interest backers, ending Medicare as we know it, and declaring a war on women than they are in creating jobs, making sure families can send their kids to college, restoring the American Dream, and rebuilding an economy that works for ALL Iowans.
"That's not just misguided priorities - it's flat out wrong.
"My priority is, and always will be, supporting and strengthening working families and getting Iowans back to work - creating good jobs for hard-working Iowans.
"Iowa's best days are ahead of us.
"And if we fight together, we'll make those better days a reality for everyone.
"Because, if we don't, the Republicans will win and Iowans will lose.
"Our priorities are Iowans' priorities.
"And we must fight together to make those priorities heard.
"I cannot thank all of you enough for your support today and over the past weeks and months.
"I'm looking forward to working shoulder to shoulder with you all the way to victory in November!
"Thank you again!"
