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Theresa Greenfield

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Theresa Greenfield
Personal details
BornBricelyn, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children4
Residence(s)Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
EducationMinnesota State University, Mankato (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Theresa Greenfield is an American businesswoman and politician who is the Democratic nominee for the 2020 United States Senate election in Iowa.[1] She will face incumbent Republican Joni Ernst in the November general election.[2][3]

Early life and career

Greenfield was born and grew up in Bricelyn, Minnesota, a small town on the Iowa–Minnesota border.[4][5] She was one of five children.[6] Her parents raised hogs and grew crops on a small farm, and her father was also a cropdusting pilot.[7] She helped with farm jobs and the crop-dusting business.[8]

Greenfield took courses at Iowa Lakes Community College and Iowa State University before graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in design and human environment.[9] Greenfield worked as an urban planner until she began taking leadership roles in real estate development companies.[10]

In 1985, Greenfield married Rodney Wirtjes, an electrician, who served as a journeyman lineworker and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. They settled in Buffalo Center, Iowa.[11] Wirtjes was killed in a work accident in 1988.[12] At the time, Greenfield was 24 years old, had a one-year-old son, and was pregnant with her second child.[12][13][14] Her second son was born five months later.[13] She credits Social Security, Workers' compensation, and family support with helping her during that time.[15] She later remarried, to Steve Miller, and had two more children.[11]

In 2005, Greenfield took a position at the homebuilding company Rottlund Homes, where she was named president of the Iowa division in 2007.[16] In 2012, Greenfield became president of the Des Moines commercial real estate firm Colby Interests,[17] based in Windsor Heights, Iowa.[18] Greenfield is a member of the board of the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce.[19]

Political campaigns

2018 Iowa's 3rd congressional district primary

Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa § District_3

In July 2017, Greenfield announced her candidacy for the 2018 Democratic nomination in Iowa's 3rd congressional district. As a female Democratic candidate in 2018, she was featured on the cover of Time magazine along with other female candidates, labelled as "The Avengers".[20][21]

She withdrew from the race in March 2018 after learning her campaign manager had falsified some of the 1,790 required signatures to qualify her for the ballot.[22][23] Her campaign tried to collect a new set of signatures in the 24 hours before the filing deadline, but was only able to acquire 1,592 valid signatures.[24][25][26]

2020 U.S. Senate election

Main article: 2020 United States Senate election in Iowa

On June 3, 2019, Greenfield declared her candidacy for the Senate seat held by first-term Senator Joni Ernst.[27][28] On June 2, 2020, she won the Democratic primary with 47.71% of the vote, defeating three other major candidates, including Michael T. Franken.[29][30][31][32][33]

Polls conducted after the primary have shown a close contest between Greenfield and Ernst, with neither candidate leading by more than 4 points.[34][35][36][37] As of September 5, 2020, political handicappers The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the race as a toss-up.[38][39] Major media describe the campaign as one of the most likely to decide control of the Senate after the 2020 election.[40][41] Through June 30, 2020, Greenfield had raised $11.5 million, compared to $14.6 million for Ernst.[42] The race is expected to be the most expensive in the state's history,[43] and the second most expensive Senate race in the United States, after the 2020 United States Senate election in North Carolina, where Cal Cunningham is challenging Thom Tillis.[44] A poll released on October 1, 2020, found Greenfield ahead of Joni Ernst by 12 percentage points.[45]In the third fundraising quarter, Greenfield's campaign raised $28.7 million, more than any Senate candidate in Iowa history.[46]

Greenfield received endorsements from former President Barack Obama,[47] Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar,[48] Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Abby Finkenauer,[49] Representative Dave Loebsack,[49] former Iowa first lady and education advocate Christie Vilsack,[50] and former Lieutenant Governor of Iowa Sally Pederson,[51] and was endorsed by organizations including the Iowa AFL-CIO,[52] Iowa IBEW State Conference,[53] Emily's List,[54] End Citizens United,[55] and Giffords.[56]

Political positions

Greenfield is in favor of the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid.[57] She has supported a public option for health insurance coverage, but she does not support Medicare for All.[58] Greenfield supports paid sick leave for all workers.[59]

Greenfield has called for further federal stimulus to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including direct payments to individuals, extending expanded unemployment benefits, and expanded Paycheck Protection Program payments for small businesses.[60] She supports paid sick leave for workers."[59] Greenfield also called for a statewide mask mandate to alleviate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.[61]

Greenfield supports Social Security and other safety net policies, and has referred to her personal experience as part of her reasons for this.[59]

Greenfield supports campaign finance reform and supports the overturning of Citizens United v. FEC, a Supreme Court decision that prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political communications by corporations.[58][62]

Greenfield is a supporter of abortion rights.[63]

She has accepted the scientific consensus on climate change, and the need for federal action, linking the climate change to the August 2020 Midwest derecho which caused flooding in Iowa, and has criticized Senator Joni Ernst for taking money from the oil industry and for denying the scientific consensus on climate change.[64]

Personal life

Greenfield is married to Steve Miller, who she lives with in Des Moines, Iowa.[65] They have a daughter and a son. Greenfield's son, Dane, is a member of the United States Army.[66]

Electoral history

2020

2020 United States Senate election in Iowa, Democratic primary[67] [30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Theresa Greenfield 131,985 47.71%
Democratic Michael T. Franken 68,843 24.88%
Democratic Kimberly Graham 41,547 15.02%
Democratic Eddie Mauro 30,396 10.99%
Democratic Cal Woods (withdrawn) 3,371 1.21%
Democratic Write-In 512 0.19%
Total votes 276,654 100.0%
United States Senate election in Iowa, 2020
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joni Ernst (incumbent)
Democratic Theresa Greenfield
Libertarian Rick Stewart
Independent Suzanne Herzog
Total votes 100.0%

References

  1. ^ Noble, Jason (July 5, 2017). "Real estate executive Theresa Greenfield joins 3rd District race for Congress". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  2. ^ Zhou, Li (June 2, 2020). "Theresa Greenfield has won the Democratic Senate primary in Iowa". Vox. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 13, 2020). "Poll: Democrat Theresa Greenfield leads GOP Sen. Joni Ernst in Iowa race". USA Today. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  4. ^ "Theresa Greenfield Pitches Humble Roots as She Seeks Crossover Support in Joni Ernst Challenge". Morning Consult. May 28, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  5. ^ Rynard, Pat (February 3, 2018). "Long Hours, Personal Story Propels Theresa Greenfield In 3rd District Race". iowastartingline.com. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  6. ^ Minor, Vicki (March 11, 2020). "Senate candidate holds meet and greet". Winterset Madisonian. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  7. ^ Grob, James (December 8, 2019). "Greenfield hopes to take small-town values to Washington, D.C." Charles City Press. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Rios, Carmen (May 28, 2020). "THERESA GREENFIELD: GIVE AMERICANS A SECOND CHANCE". DAME. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Matheny, Ryan (July 24, 2020). "Greenfield calls for extension of expanded unemployment benefits during pandemic". KMAland.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  10. ^ "Theresa Greenfield". Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "IA-03: "Business leader, mother and farm kid" Theresa Greenfield officially running". Bleeding Heartland. July 5, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Rodney Wirtjes Electrocuted In Power Line Accident Friday, June 3" (PDF). Buffalo Center Tribune. June 9, 1988. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Wirtjes v. Interstate Power Co. (Minnesota Supreme Court February 7, 1992), Text.
  14. ^ Crabtree, Susan (July 11, 2020). "Defund-Police Push Has Key Dem Candidates on Defense". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved September 23, 2020. Her husband, Rob, a lineman at the local power company, was killed in workplace accident years ago…
  15. ^ Rynard, Pat (February 3, 2018). "Long Hours, Personal Story Propels Theresa Greenfield In 3rd District Race". Iowa Starting Line. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Brownlee, Mike (July 8, 2017). "Fourth Democrat enters the race for David Young's seat in Iowa". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  17. ^ Darr, Kent (August 22, 2014). "The Colby Family Carries On" (PDF). Business Record. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  18. ^ Rynard, Pat (February 3, 2018). "Long Hours, Personal Story Propels Theresa Greenfield In 3rd District Race". Iowa Starting Line. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  19. ^ "Board Members". Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  20. ^ Rynard, Pat (February 3, 2018). "Long Hours, Personal Story Propels Theresa Greenfield In 3rd District Race". Iowa Starting Line. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  21. ^ Alter, Charlotte. "January 29th, 2018 | Vol. 191, No. 3 | U.S." TIME.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  22. ^ Noble, Jason (March 28, 2018). "Rejected from primary ballot again, Democrat Theresa Greenfield calls it quits". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  23. ^ Rodriguez, Barbara (April 7, 2019). "Ex-campaign manager for Theresa Greenfield apologizes in ad over 2018's fake signatures". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  24. ^ Bowman, Bridget (March 29, 2018). "Ballot Debacle Shakes Up Democratic House Primary in Iowa". Roll Call. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  25. ^ Noble, Jason (March 16, 2018). "Alleged paperwork forgery forces Theresa Greenfield to resubmit candidacy at literally the last minute". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  26. ^ "Democratic Candidate Theresa Greenfield Fails to Make it on Primary Ballot". who13.com. March 19, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  27. ^ Murphy, Erin (June 3, 2019). "Theresa Greenfield joins Iowa's U.S. Senate race". The Gazette. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  28. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 3, 2019). "Democrat Theresa Greenfield launches bid against Republican Sen. Joni Ernst". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  29. ^ "State of Iowa 2020 Primary Election Results". The Des Moines Register. June 3, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  30. ^ a b Panetta, Grace. "Theresa Greenfield wins the Democratic primary for US Senate in Iowa". Business Insider. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  31. ^ Manchester, Julia. "Greenfield wins Senate Democratic primary in Iowa". The Hill. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  32. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Theresa Greenfield to take on Joni Ernst in high-profile battle for U.S. Senate seat". Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  33. ^ Beaumont, Thomas (June 1, 2020). "Democrats fight for chance to take on GOP Sen. Ernst in Iowa". AP NEWS. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  34. ^ "Iowa Senate - Ernst vs. Greenfield". RealClear Politics. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  35. ^ "Iowa U.S. Senate Polls". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  36. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 13, 2020). "Iowa Poll: Theresa Greenfield leads Joni Ernst in tight race for U.S. Senate". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  37. ^ "IOWA: CLOSE CONTESTS FOR PREZ & SENATE" (Press release). West Long Branch, NJ: Monmouth University. August 5, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  38. ^ "2020 Senate Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  39. ^ "Crystal Ball 2020 Senate Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  40. ^ Phillips, Amber (August 7, 2020). "The most competitive Senate races of 2020". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  41. ^ Nilsen, Ella (September 14, 2020). "The ways Democrats could retake the Senate majority, explained". Vox. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  42. ^ Panetta, Grace (August 7, 2020). "What you need to know about the US Senate election in Iowa between Joni Ernst and Theresa Greenfield". Business Insider. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  43. ^ Gabriel, Trip (September 2, 2020). "Joni Ernst, in a Tight Senate Race, Repeats a Debunked Coronavirus Theory". The New York Times. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  44. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "In a slew of competitive Senate races, Iowa's draws second-highest advertising spending in the country". Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  45. ^ "Theresa Greenfield Leads Joni Ernst By 12 Points in New Poll of Iowa Voters". who13.com. October 1, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  46. ^ Meyer, Elizabeth. "Greenfield Shatters Fundraising Records With $28.7M Haul".
  47. ^ Obama, Barack (August 3, 2020). "First Wave of 2020 Endorsements". medium.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  48. ^ Arkin, James (May 24, 2020). "The political neophyte Democrats are betting on to capture the Senate". Politico. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  49. ^ a b Pfannenstiel, Brianne (May 10, 2020). "Democratic challengers fight for momentum in muted Iowa Senate primary". The Hawk Eye. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  50. ^ Meyer, Elizabeth (August 20, 2019). "IA-Sen: Christie Vilsack Weighs In With Greenfield Endorsement". iowastartingline.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  51. ^ Meyer, Elizabeth (June 6, 2019). "Gillibrand First To Endorse In Iowa Senate Race, Backs Greenfield". iowastartingline.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  52. ^ "Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Endorses Theresa Greenfield for US Senate" (Press release). Iowa Labor News. April 20, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  53. ^ Cross, Jim (December 12, 2019). "Union endorses Greenfield". Globe Gazette. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  54. ^ "EMILY's List Endorses Theresa Greenfield for U.S. Senate in Iowa". www.emilyslist.org.
  55. ^ "PAC backing Democrat Greenfield targets Ernst". The Gazette.
  56. ^ "Theresa Greenfield". giffords.
  57. ^ Lynch, James Q. (May 19, 2020). "Iowa Democratic Senate hopefuls demonstrate differences in TV debate". Quad City Times. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  58. ^ a b "Candidate Forum —Theresa Greenfield, Senate — Democrat". Times-Republican. September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  59. ^ a b c "Theresa Greenfield, U.S. Senate candidate, meets with Register journalists". The Des Moines Register. May 7, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  60. ^ "Greenfield says COVID stimulus package desperately needed". Iowa PBS. August 14, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  61. ^ Masters, Clay (September 13, 2020). "'So Skeptical': As Election Nears, Iowa Senator Under Pressure For COVID-19 Remarks". NPR. Retrieved September 15, 2020. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  62. ^ Vakil, Keya (May 12, 2020). "The 'No Corporate PAC Money' Movement Is Growing. It Could Help Democrats Flip the Senate". The Copper Courier. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  63. ^ "Theresa Greenfield on Abortion". Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  64. ^ Gustin, Georgina (September 10, 2020). "Senate 2020: Iowa Farmers Are Feeling the Effects of Climate Change. That Could Make Things Harder for Joni Ernst". InsideClimate News. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  65. ^ Lynch, James Q. (April 26, 2020). "Democratic Senate candidates plug rural connections in virtual forum". The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  66. ^ Harden, Ray (November 3, 2017). "Greenfield learned hard way value of Social Security, union benefits". The Perry News. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  67. ^ "Election Night Reporting | UNITED STATES SENATE - DEMOCRATIC". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Iowa Secretary of State.
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