Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate launched the first ads for his reelection campaign.

Titled “Referee,” “Why Paul Pate,” and “Voter ID," the ads depict Pate’s role as the State Commissioner of Elections in which impartiality and bipartisanship are vital. Secretary Pate emphasizes his record of making it easy to vote, but hard to cheat.

Pate worked with the Iowa Legislature to pass Iowa’s Voter ID laws, which have increased the security and integrity of Iowa’s elections. Voter ID is supported by the 81% of Americans, including the majority of Democrats and Independents. Under Pate’s leadership, Iowa is ranked in the top three states in the U.S. for election administration, and broke voter turnout records in 2018, 2020, and 2021.

In an ad, Pate says:

“As Iowa’s Secretary of State, it’s my job to be the referee, not to wear a team jersey. We’re going to make sure your vote counts. Easy to vote and hard to cheat.”

“Why Paul Pate” contrasts Secretary Pate’s record with that of his opponent, who lobbied against Iowa’s Voter ID laws, put the security of Iowa’s elections at risk in 2020, and is too dangerous to be the State Commissioner of Elections.

The ads will run on Iowa TV, radio, digital and social media. You can view all three ads here.

"Paul Pate has ensured Iowa's election system is safe and secure. By making it easy to vote and hard to cheat, Iowa's election systems have become the best in the country," said Republican Party of Iowa Communications Director Kollin Crompton. "Joel Miller constantly undermines the integrity of our election system, putting Iowans at risk for fraud and making our elections in Iowa susceptible to cheating. That is unacceptable."

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