Hello,

I wanted to email you simply to say thank you.

After we fell just short of our mid-month fundraising goal, grassroots donors like you stepped up and chipped in to my campaign. Onward we go. We can keep this juggernaut going into the next quarter. Time to turn Iowa blue next November. Color me thankful.

As I travel around Iowa meeting with voters, it means a lot to know that people like you have my back. It’s how I can spend more time actually talking to voters -- and less time fundraising.

Plus, I’m not taking money from corporate PACs or special interests like my opponent Chuck Grassley, so if I’m going to take on Mitch McConnell’s Super PACs, a grassroots-funded campaign is the only way we’ll win.

I’ll admit it: Sometimes the days are long. I find myself in the car, finally heading home after having spent the entire day on the road, loosening a tie I tied some 14 hours before.

But talking with everyday Iowans about how we can expand access to health care to everyone, address the gun violence epidemic plaguing our communities, combat the extreme weather crisis, and restore and protect our democracy… well, those are the reasons I’m running for Senate.

I’m proud to have served our country across the globe for nearly 4 decades in the U.S. Navy. I’d be even prouder to serve Iowa in the U.S. Senate.

Thank you for being a part of the team that will defeat Chuck Grassley and turn Iowa blue next November.

Mike Franken, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret.)