“Iowa has long been a leader when it comes to LGBTQ equality, and Patty Judge will finally bring those Iowa values to the U.S. Senate so that LGBTQ people all across our country can live free from fear of discrimination,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. “While Patty Judge will fight for Iowa values of fairness and equality, Chuck Grassley has abused his leadership position in the Senate to block any progress on equality. Grassley has demonstrated again and again that he would leave LGBTQ people around the country at risk for being fired or denied a job because of who they are or whom they love.”

The nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found strong support for LGBTQ equality in Iowa, which was the fourth U.S. state to gain marriage equality. Iowans reported supporting marriage equality by a 56-35 percent margin, while Iowans support LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections by an even larger 71 to 24 percent margin.

As the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, Grassley has refused to hold a hearing on President Obama’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court since he was nominated more than 200 days ago -- breaking the previous record of 125 days. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has committed to appointing Supreme Court justices who would reverse nationwide marriage equality.

Chuck Grassley remains out of step with the vast majority of fair-minded Iowans who support LGBTQ equality. Senator Grassley has a starkly anti-LGBTQ record, which includes refusing to support the Equality Act, comprehensive legislation to protect LGBT people from discrimination. In addition, he voted against the bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He also led the effort to try to strip essential non-discrimination protections from the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Paid for by the Human Rights Campaign PAC and authorized by Patty Judge for Iowa.