Hello,

Sometimes I get advice from political pundits to leave criticism of Donald Trump out of my campaign speeches. They worry that by calling out Trump when he’s still so popular among some voters in Iowa could be an election misstep. But I can’t do that. It would be a dereliction of duty.

Donald Trump and his cohorts helped plan and execute an insurrection – a coup – at the highest level of our government. To be silent would be complicit in condoning political violence and the evil outcomes of today’s GOP fringe.

I’m running against Senator Chuck Grassley, one of Trump’s biggest supporters. Donald Trump came to Iowa just to hold an event with Grassley and give him his full-throated endorsement. And Grassley took it, swooningly.

The polls show the race will be extremely close: Just 27% of Iowa voters want to reelect Grassley! The challenge is going up against Grassley’s $3.7 million campaign war chest of corporate PAC and special interest money (not to mention McConnell’s Super PACs).

Here’s where you come in: I’m counting on grassroots donors like you to give to my campaign today if we’re going to defeat Chuck Grassley and turn Iowa blue.

We need to raise another $15,000 before midnight tonight to win. Please, will you chip in $5 or more to my campaign now – whatever you can afford – to help me defeat Chuck Grassley, turn Iowa blue in ‘22, and protect our Democratic majority in the Senate?

It shouldn’t take “political courage” to say Donald Trump is attacking our very democracy with the Big Lie. You’d think a senior Senator would do his part, but only crickets from the Grassley camp.

I’ll never be afraid to speak the truth in the United States Senate.

Thank you for helping me get there,

Mike Franken, VADM, U.S. Navy (ret.)