IA-2 candidate Lindsay James unveils veterans coalition

IA-2 candidate Lindsay James unveils veterans coalition CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The campaign of 2nd Congressional District candidate Lindsay James revealed her "Veterans for Lindsay" coalition of supporters Thursday. "We have to talk about what happens when a veteran comes home, starts a family, and tries to build the life that we know they deserve here in our state, and finds out that the country and its leaders they served aren't making it easy for them," James, a Democratic state representative, said at an event while surrounded by members of the coalition. Among those in the group are Waterloo City Councilman Hector Salamanca-Arroyo, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Kevin Techau, and retired army nurse Kathy Dolter -- who unsuccessfully ran against James in the June primary election. During her remarks, James also criticized cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "That is not fiscal responsibility, that is betrayal. And the consequences are real," James said. "These are men and women who sacrificed to defend our freedom. They deserve our respect and our support. James faces former Republican state Rep. Joe Mitchell, independent Dave Bushaw, and Libertarian Rick Steward in the November 3 election. Drew Johns, Mitchell's campaign manager, said voters will "reject a 'Tax and Spend Liberal' like Radical Lindsay James." She's soft on crime and illegal immigrants but tough on working families trying to make a living," Johns said. "It won't go well for her. This year's race for the 2nd District won't have an incumbent on the ballot since Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is running to replace outgoing GOP U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. The announcement by James' campaign comes the same day that Cook Political Report shifted their rating for the race from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican."