Hello,

Tonight, the January 6th Committee will begin holding its first public hearings.

One big question that remains unanswered: What exactly was Chuck Grassley’s plan for January 6th?

On January 5th, Chuck Grassley told reporters that he – not Mike Pence – would preside over the certification of the Electoral College votes. Grassley said of Pence: “We don’t expect him to be there."

It’s time to come clean, Senator. What was the plan for January 6th? Why did you not expect VP Pence to be there? Were you aware of – or even part of – the plot to overturn the 2020 election? What would you have done had Pence not shown up?

I served our country for over 36 years in the U.S. Navy. I repeatedly swore an oath to protect our nation from all threats, foreign and domestic. I am now running for Senate against Chuck Grassley because I will not stand idly by while Donald Trump and his Republican lap dogs attack and whittle away at our democracy.

I’m now the Democratic nominee against Chuck Grassley here in Iowa, and the GOP attacks against me have already begun.

In order to fight back against all of Grassley and McConnell’s Super PAC attack ads, we need to raise another $50,000 before midnight tonight – but right now we are still falling short. If I’m going to send Chuck Grassley packing and turn Iowa blue, I’m counting on grassroots donors like you to give right now:

Our very democracy is at stake. Please, will you chip in $5 or more right now – every dollar you can afford – to help me defeat Chuck Grassley, turn Iowa blue, and protect our Democratic majority in the Senate?

I am honored and humbled to have won the Democratic nomination for Senate.

Now it is time to win against Grassley.

Thank you so much for your support,

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