Patty Judge, the DC-backed Democrat candidate running in a competitive primary against a grassroots favorite, freely admits that her campaign’s biggest challenge is that she can’t connect with voters.
And she’s not doing herself any favors. Judge skipped out on another candidate forum this weekend, not even bothering to respond to the invitation.
This weekend three candidates were in Waterloo discussing why each of them would be the best candidate. Missing from the group, Patty Judge. According to the pastor of Mount Carmel, Judge did not respond to their invitation.
That embarrassing episode is just the latest in a growing list of forums and debates that Judge hasn’t bothered to attend, preferring to spend her time out of state where she can raise money with Washington insiders and Democrat elites
Last week, Judge was a no-show at a Democrat primary debate in Des Moines:
“Two forums and a televised debate are on the docket this week as Democratic voters attempt to decide which candidate to support in the June 7 primary… However, only half of the primary field attended the first of those three events, a forum hosted by the Des Moines South Side Democrats… Former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge had a previously scheduled campaign event in Waukee.” (Erin Murphy, “Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates Ready For Primary Close-Up,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, 5/24/16)
Before that, she skipped a debate in Davenport…
“Three of the four Iowa democratic candidates for U.S. Senate faced off at St. Ambrose University Monday night. Rob Hogg, Bob Krause and Tom Fiegen were all present, but candidate Patty Judge, was not.” (Ashley Davis, “Democratic Candidates For U.S. Senate Debate In Davenport Monday,” KWQC, 5/16/16)
…just days after failing to show for a debate in Grinnell:
“With Iowa Democrats sensing an opportunity to deny Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley a seventh term, three candidates hoping to replace him made their cases to be Iowa’s next U.S. senator… A fourth candidate, former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge of Albia, was unable to participate because of a scheduling conflict, her spokesman said.” (James Lynch, “Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate Hopefuls Make Case For Nomination, “Cedar Rapids Gazette, 5/12/16)
Democrat activists say she’s “spitting in the face of democracy.” Judge herself says she’s struggling to connect with voters, but won’t actually show up to talk to them when given the opportunity. Iowa Democrats will choose their nominee in one week – and with Patty Judge’s apparent allergic reaction to talking to voters, her campaign could be coming to a quick end.