For Immediate Release
SEPTEMBER 13, 2007

Contact:

Colleen Flanagan

Taylor West

CEDAR FALLS – State Senator and Senate President Pro-Tempore Jeff Danielson announced today that he is endorsing Chris Dodd for President.  Danielson is the first member of Iowa’s Senate Democratic leadership to endorse a presidential candidate.  In addition to the endorsement, he will serve as a Co-Chair of Dodd’s Iowa Steering Committee, and a member of Dodd’s National Steering Committee.

Danielson, a professional Fire Fighter in Cedar Falls and a veteran of six years in the U.S. Navy, cited Dodd’s proven record of leadership and experience in keeping America strong, as well as his record of bringing people together to get things done.

“When it comes to protecting this country and strengthening our communities, proven leadership and experience matter,” said Danielson.  “I am supporting Chris Dodd, because he is the candidate I trust to keep America safe and keep our middle class families strong.  Time and time again, Chris Dodd has shown not only that he has thoughtful, bold ideas, but that he has the ability to pull people together to get them done.

“With the stakes so high for our country in this election, Chris Dodd is the proven leader we need in the White House and the proven winner we need as our Democratic nominee.  I am proud to be endorsing Chris Dodd, and I’m ready to go to work across this state on behalf of his campaign.”

Danielson, 37, has represented Iowa Senate District 10 since 2004.  His election to the Senate leadership by his peers last year made him the youngest President Pro-Tem in Iowa history.

“Jeff Danielson is one of the most respected leaders in the Iowa Senate, and I could not be prouder to have his support,” said Senator Dodd.  “As a Fire Fighter, a Senator, and a veteran, Jeff knows on a very personal level about the responsibility we have to protect our communities and to strengthen our families.  He will be a tremendous asset to our campaign as a leader, a representative, and an advisor.”

Senator Danielson is a native of Waterloo, Iowa.  He served in the Navy from 1988 to 1994, including two six-month deployments in support of U.S. operations in the Middle East.  After leaving the Navy, Danielson became a professional Fire Fighter in Cedar Falls.  While working and raising a family, Jeff used the G.I. Bill to earn an Associate of Arts from Hawkeye Community College, and both a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Northern Iowa.  Danielson and his wife, Kim, have two children.