Hello,

I promise to always be honest with you. So here goes: We have fallen short of almost every single one of our fundraising goals this month.

I know why. Gas prices are up. The stock market is down. Food at the grocery store is more expensive and you’re getting less for your dollar. Drug companies are jacking up the cost of prescriptions. And if you’re someone who is on a fixed income, even the “big” cost of living adjustment for Social Security this year just isn’t enough. I get it.

But our campaign against Chuck Grassley relies entirely on grassroots donations from people like you. I’m not taking money from corporate PACs nor am I bankrolled by some billionaire – and I certainly don’t come from some political dynasty.

My mom and dad lost what little they had in the Savings and Loan debacle of the 1980’s. So when people like you – the people who fund my campaign – are struggling, I know the hard decisions that have to be made. Political donations might be one of the first things to go.

I understand, but if you are in a position to help, consider this: The same corporations who are making record profits and price gouging you at the pump just gave huge corporate PAC checks to Chuck Grassley’s campaign.

It’s not about how much you can give. It’s about chipping in even just $5 and joining with tens of thousands of other people around the country to ensure we can fight back against the Super PACs and protect our Senate majority.

Our very democracy is at stake this November. Please, if you can – and only if you can – will you consider chipping in $5 or more right now to my campaign to help me defeat Chuck Grassley, turn Iowa blue, and protect our Democratic Senate majority?

We’re up against our most critical end-of-month deadline of the campaign, and I don’t know what we’ll do if we fall short of yet another fundraising goal.

I’m so grateful for anything you can afford to give.

Thank you, always,

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