Finkenauer Ad Inconsistent with Unemployment Rate

Abby Finkenauer, the Democratic nominee in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District Race, launched an ad about three weeks ago entitled “Caller ID.” In it, she talked about how she had to know the name of the union rep so when he called they would pick up because “on the other end of the line was dad’s next job.”

She then says, “For too many Iowans today, the phone’s not ringing.”

Watch the ad below:

This is odd since the unemployment rate for Iowa dipped down to 2.5 percent which is the second lowest in the nation and an 18-year low.

We’ve been consistently dropping since June 2009 when we hit a high of 6.6 percent. 

Her district is doing pretty well, with the exception of Marshall County that has the highest unemployment rate in the state.

I find it interesting that her ad is focused on her dad’s experience in a union and you see union imagery throughout. I have to ask, is she concerned about job creation or is she concerned about union jobs. 

You take a look at her issues page and Finkenauer spells it out:

My father was a union pipefitter welder and has been a proud union member for over 40 years. I grew up in a union household, and I understand how important good union jobs are to families across Eastern Iowa. I will always fight to defend unions so that we can strengthen our families and our workers across the 1st district.
Strong organized labor builds a thriving middle class. Across the county, and here in Iowa, unions have raised wages for countless hard-working Americans. Nationally in 2014, the typical union worker made almost $200 more a week than an average non-union worker. But attacks on labor are decreasing union membership across the country.
Here in Iowa we have always been proud of our unions, and I’m honored to be endorsed by a number of them including the Iowa Teamsters and AFSCME Council 61. Unions deserve a strong voice in Washington. In Congress, I will always support pro-labor legislation and oppose efforts to put big corporations over American workers.

She states that Congress isn’t doing enough to help create opportunities by investing in apprenticeships and skills training. How much is enough? I’ve seen bills like that debated in Congress. Also, that is a primary focus for Governor Kim Reynolds.

Iowans who lack skills certainly need the training to qualify for higher paid jobs, but the opportunities do currently exist. One has to ask are the policies she promotes going to increase those opportunities or decrease?