Barbara Rodriguez | The Des Moines Register

The Des Moines Register

Democrat Eddie Mauro has jumped into the race to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in 2020.

Mauro, a businessman who lost a primary challenge last year to U.S. Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, held a kickoff event Monday in Carroll, a city of fewer than 10,000 where he spent his summers as a kid.

Mauro said in an interview with the Register that he didn’t originally plan to compete in the race, which is expected to draw national attention as Democrats try to reclaim the U.S. Senate.

The 56-year-old's decision came some time after the new year, when he began traveling around Iowa and helped launch a political action committee, Midwest Victory PAC, aimed at getting Democrats elected. Mauro said he’s now removed from the PAC, which created a digital ad against Ernst, because of his campaign.

“We started out not knowing exactly what our final role was going to be,” Mauro said of his traveling, which he said has taken him to more than 30 counties this year. “That role has evolved, and continues to evolve, and we are where we are today.”

Michael Zamora/The Register

Democrat Kimberly Graham, an Indianola attorney, announced her Senate bid last week, and more Democrats are expected to join the race.

Mauro said his Senate bid will focus on what he’s heard from Iowans around rural main streets: health care, the environment and agricultural policy.

“The need and the stress and the anxiety is wide and far,” he said of Iowans.

During his congressional bid last year, Mauro focused on taking money out of politics. But while he still believes in improving the federal system on campaign finance, he wouldn't commit Monday to rejecting donations from corporate political action committees.

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Mauro said he's willing to accept corporate support from organizations that share his policy priorities.

"We also need to go win elections," he said in defense of his fundraising strategy. "And the rules are the rules that we have out there, and we're going to play by the rules that are there. I think some some Democrats shortchange themselves and are going on the field with nine players, when the other team is out there with 12 or 13."

Mauro believes he’s best positioned to defeat Ernst, a popular Republican from Red Oak who was first elected in 2014.

A Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted in February showed a majority of Iowans — 57% — approved of the job Ernst is doing. She announced earlier this year that she would seek reelection and has about $2.8 million in the bank, according to the latest campaign filing data.

But Mauro believes Ernst’s record has hurt Iowans. He highlighted the ongoing trade war that's impacted Iowa farmers.

“We need a senator for the people of Iowa, first and foremost,” he said. “She’s failed to do that, in every way, shape and form.”

Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, released a statement Monday calling Mauro "a two-time failed congressional candidate." Mauro lost a bid in 2016 to unseat incumbent Democratic state Rep. Jo Oldson.

"With an enormous war chest and a record high approval rating, Senator Ernst has worked hard to earn the trust and support of Iowans," Kaufmann said, "and she is off to a strong start as she seeks to represent Iowa values for another term.”

Mauro, who lives in Des Moines and heads an insurance business, thinks his loss last year will make him a stronger candidate. This time around, he said, he has a more formalized “business infrastructure” and early support from community organizers. His new campaign website includes several endorsements, including from state lawmakers.