LECLAIRE, Iowa – Former Republican U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling said that EMILY’s List endorsement of Rita Hart in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District race is very concerning. Hart, a former state senator and candidate for Lt. Governor, is running for the Democratic nomination in the race.
EMILY’s List states their goal is to drive “progressive change” by “winning elections that put pro-choice Democratic women into office.”
“Rita Hart is a lifelong Iowan and champion for working families who will continue the deep representation for every Iowan in the 2nd Congressional District. During her time in the state Senate, Rita was a strong advocate for expanding funding for public education and job training programs. As a farmer and former teacher, her priorities and experience are well-suited to make her an effective policymaker for the 2nd Congressional District and she will stand up for the Iowans she represents,” Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, said regarding their endorsement of Hart.
Most, if not all, of EMILY’s
“I don’t personally know Rita Hart, but today’s story about her endorsement from the abortion lobby is very concerning. Is Rita Hart really in favor of abortion up to the moment of birth? Does Rita Hart really support taxpayer funding for abortion? Voters have a right to know. The answers may end up deciding whether I run for Congress,” Schilling said.
Schilling is actively exploring running for the Republican nomination in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District following U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack’s announcement that he would not seek re-election. Sources close to Schilling said he would make a decision in the next week or two.
“Abortion extremism doesn’t fly with the good people of Iowa. I hope that Ms. Hart will clarify her position on abortion and publicly denounce the radical leftists in Washington, D.C. pushing for late-term abortions paid for by the taxpayers,” he added.
Schilling, 55, represented Illinois’ 17th Congressional District from 2011 to 2013. He lost re-election in 2012 to Cheryl Bustos and ran unsuccessfully in 2014 to regain his seat.
Schilling built a house and moved to Le Claire, Iowa in 2016. He owns, Saint Giuseppe’s Heavenly Pizza that currently has two locations, and is set to open a third location in 2019, as well as, two more locations in 2020. He also runs an economic development consulting business helping to bring foreign investment into the United States with one of his primary clients being the NFL Hall of Fame.
Schilling and his wife Christie have 10 children and 14 grandchildren. They attend Our Lady of the River Catholic Church in Le Claire.
