Lisa Heddens, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, Endorse Braley's Senate Bid

The First Congressional District Democrat is seeking the Senate seat that will be vacated by .

On Monday, the Braley campaign said he has raised $1 million for his campaign since Harkin's announcement.

Today, another announcement: the campaign said 71 Democratic members of the Iowa legislature have formally endorsed Braley. Of those, 45 are from the Iowa House. The remaining are all 26 Iowa Senate Democrats.

The endorsements include Representatives Lisa Heddens and Beth Wessel-Kroeschell of Ames.

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In February, Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and former Rep. Leonard Boswell endorsed Braley for Senate. Last week, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced their endorsement.

The flood of endorsements is significant because it indicates Braley's campaign has the backing of the state's Democratic leadership. Today's announcement also takes 71 names out of the running for candidates who may oppose Braley in a primary.

So far, no Republicans have announced intentions to run. Rep. Steve King (IA-04) has been floated as a possible candidate.

Here is the full list of legislators who gave their endorsement today:

HOUSE

 
  SENATE   Name County   Name  County Deb Berry Black Hawk
  Jeff Danielson Black Hawk Anesa Kajtazovic Black Hawk
  Bill Dotzler Black Hawk Bob Kressig Black Hawk
  Amanda Ragan Cerro Gordo Sharon Steckman Cerro Gordo
  Rita Hart Clinton Patti Ruff Clayton
  Tom Courtney Des Moines Roger Thomas Clayton
  Pam Jochum Dubuque Mary Wolfe Clinton
  Brian Schoenjahn Fayette Daniel Muhlbauer Crawford
  Rich Taylor Henry Dennis Cohoon Des Moines
  Mary Jo Wilhelm Howard Nancy Dunkel Dubuque
  Tod Bowman Jackson Charles Isenhart Dubuque
  Dennis Black Jasper Bruce Bearinger Fayette
  Joe Bolkcom Johnson Todd Prichard Floyd
  Bob Dvorsky Johnson Daniel Kelley Jasper
  Robert Hogg Linn Curtis Hanson Jefferson
  Wally Horn Linn Dave Jacoby Johnson
  Liz Mathis Linn Vicki Lensing Johnson
  Steve Sodders Marshall Mary Mascher Johnson
  Chris Brase Muscatine Sally Stutsman Johnson
  Dick Dearden Polk Jerry Kearns Lee
  Jack Hatch Polk Art Staed Linn
  Matt McCoy Polk Daniel Lundby Linn
  Janet Peterson Polk Tyler Olson Linn
  Michael Gronstal Pottawattamie Kirsten Running-Marquardt Linn
  Joe Seng Scott Todd Taylor Linn
  Herman Quirmbach Story Mark Smith Marshall
  Daryl Beall Webster Ako Abdul-Samad Polk
      Marti Anderson Polk
      Bruce Hunter Polk
      John Forbes Polk
      Ruth Ann Gaines Polk
      Jo Oldson Polk
      Rick Olson Polk
      Joe Riding Polk
      Jim Lykam Scott
      Phyllis Thede Scott
      Cindy Winckler Scott
      Frank Wood Scott
      Lisa Heddens Story
      Beth Wessel-Kroeschell Story
      Mary Gaskill Wapello
      Scott Ourth Warren
      Helen Miller Webster
      Dave Dawson Woodbury
      Chris Hall Woodbury