Former top Grassley aide nominated in Iowa House race
Source: By Josh Kurtz, E&E reporter • Posted: Monday, June 23, 2014
David Young prevailed on the fifth ballot at the Iowa state GOP convention, defeating state Sen. Brad Zaun, who had led in the first four rounds of balloting and had also finished first in the Republican primary earlier this month — but fell short of the number of votes he needed to avoid the convention (E&E Daily, June 4).
Among the other runners-up for the GOP nomination was Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, who was eliminated after the fourth ballot (E&E Daily, Feb. 27).
Young will face former state Sen. Staci Appel (D) in the battle to replace Latham.
“I am trusted, tried and true in my conservative thought,” Young told the convention delegates, according toThe Des Moines Register.
The district went narrowly for President Obama in the past two White House elections, and House Democrats consider it one of their best pickup opportunities this election cycle.
Appel starts the general election with a significant cash-on-hand advantage, reporting $467,000 as of mid-May, compared to $62,000 for Young as of June 1.
Grassley, who has represented Iowa in the Senate since 1981, told the Register that he would work hard to elect his former aide.
“David has the ability to appeal to a cross-section of residents of the 3rd District,” he said.