John – I love this photo. Every time I meet with voters – especially future voters – it reminds me exactly why I'm running to defeat Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): because public service and fighting for your community matter.

I don't come from a political dynasty, but my path to public service still starts with my family. My mom’s father served as a lieutenant in the Dubuque Fire Department, and my dad’s father earned a Purple Heart serving our country in World War II. My parents instilled that same sense of service in me while I was growing up. They taught me that when someone asks for your help because there is work to be done or a problem to solve, you say yes.

That's why, when I saw that my community needed someone to fight for them, I stepped up and ran for a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, even though I was only 25 years old. It's why I ran for Congress against a man twice my age and won – even though plenty of folks said it wasn't my time. 

It's why I'm going to defeat Sen. Grassley and become the youngest woman ever elected to the Senate. I know that unseating a seven-term incumbent doesn't happen overnight. But I also know that nobody will fight harder than I will to flip this seat and fight for Iowans.

Right now, Sen. Grassley is facing record-low approval ratings. Iowans are ready to show him the door, but I need your help to compete with GOP spending. You see, I'm counting on grassroots people like you to hit my $75,000 goal before the end-of-month deadline in just a few days.

So please, can you donate $5 right now to elect the youngest woman senator, give working families in Iowa a real leader in Washington and protect our Senate majority?

With Senate control on the line here in Iowa, the GOP will do everything in their power to stop our campaign – and I'm counting on grassroots donors like you to stand with me and hit this critical goal.

With gratitude,

Abby