National Republicans are going after Cindy Axne, a Democrat running for Congress who, despite touting an environmentally friendly platform, made investments in companies that contaminated drinking water.
Axne is challenging GOP Rep. David Young in Iowa’s Third Congressional District. Given it is a competitive district, Democrats are eyeing the district race as a possible pickup opportunity. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has added Axne to their “Red to Blue” program, prioritizing her campaign above other Democrats they deem less likely to win.
Axne is running on an explicit pledge to tackle climate change, according to her campaign website. The former kindergarten and education activist has touted her past work in promoting the wind industry, and vows to bring renewable energy to Iowa. Axne — who supported an Obama-era water policy that was opposed by local farmers — received an endorsement from the League of Environmental Voters Action Fund, a liberal advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.
Despite these environmental bona fides, Axne is taking heat for a slew of investments in companies that have been reprimanded for contaminating the earth. Axne’s financial disclosure forms reveal she has invested in Goldcorp Inc., Barrick Gold and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited – all Canadian mining companies that were found to have spilled toxic chemicals into the water and ground.
Goldcorp released mercury, lead and arsenic into bodies of water in Honduras. Barrick Gold spilled cyanide into an Argentinian river, polluting a source of drinking water for locals. Agnico was fined $50,000 in 2017 for spilling oil into a lake in Nunavut, Canada.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has begun an ad campaign, “Anti-Environmental Axne,” that hits her for the controversial investments.
“Cindy Axne’s complete disregard for the environment is alarming,” stated NRCC spokeswoman Maddie Anderson. “Axne’s investments speak louder than her words; she won’t protect clean drinking water and she won’t protect Iowans’ best interests.” (RELATED: California Votes To Make Itself More Reliant On Imported Fish)
David Young’s campaign also reacted to the new attack ads.
“Iowans deserve better representation than someone who proclaims to support renewable energy and environmental protections while personally profiting and getting rich off of big oil and foreign mining companies that have repeatedly poisoned drinking water and shot environmental activists,” Dylan Lefler, campaign manager for Young, said in a statement to The Daily Caller News Foundation.
Cindy Axne’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment by TheDC in time for publication.
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