JD Scholten on Challenging Joni Ernst in Iowa Senate Race

Reaction to Senator Ernst's Comments

• ⚠️ JD Scholten reacts to Senator Joni Ernst's controversial remarks about Medicaid and food assistance cuts, where she stated "we're all going to die anyway."
• 💰 Scholten argues that while everyone will die, it shouldn't be hastened to provide tax cuts for billionaires, a sentiment he believes is angering Iowans.
• 💔 He shares a personal anecdote of attending a funeral for a local activist around the time Ernst's comments went viral, which solidified his resolve to challenge her.

Campaign Strategy in a Polarized Iowa

• 🎯 Scholten acknowledges Iowa's shift towards Republicanism since 2008 but draws parallels to his 2018 congressional race where he significantly narrowed the gap in a Trump-won district.
• 🤝 His strategy focuses on building a grassroots movement, engaging directly with voters, and welcoming diverse individuals into his coalition, reminiscent of his 2018 campaign.
• 🗣️ He emphasizes reaching out to "the bees and the yeses"—barbers, baristas, bartenders, servers, and stylists—as key influencers in local communities.

Addressing Democratic Party Brand Issues

• 🏥 Scholten identifies systemic issues like a "broken healthcare system," a flawed food system, and a "dollar general economy" as key problems.
• ✊ He champions the anti-monopoly movement and discusses issues like the Packers and Stockyards Act, tailoring his message to resonate with Iowans rather than urban Democratic hubs.
• 🚜 He highlights how issues like anti-monopoly policies and the impact of trade wars on farmers are critical in rural Iowa, even if they don't always align with traditional Democratic messaging.

Key Issues for Iowans and Young Men

• 🩺 Universal healthcare is presented as a critical issue, especially for farmers who struggle with off-farm jobs to afford insurance, and for young men who lack solid health insurance after age 25.
• 🏥 The potential collapse of rural hospitals and nursing homes due to Medicaid cuts is a significant concern, forcing residents to travel for care or relocate.
• 💡 Scholten believes universal healthcare, not just rural broadband, is the game-changer for rural America, citing the historical push for universal healthcare by Saskatchewan farmers.

Campaign Funding and Call to Action

• 💰 Scholten is running a grassroots campaign and encourages donations through his website, ScholtenforIowa.com, to help define his campaign early and counter Republican narratives.
• 🚀 He plans a "massive 99-county tour" in the fall and aims to create a campaign that is engaging and interactive, focusing on talking with people rather than at them.
• ⏳ Early donations are crucial to allow Scholten to define himself and capitalize on this "pickup opportunity" in the 2026 Senate map.