John –

In less than a week, Joni Ernst has earned herself a new nickname: Joni Hearse.

It wasn't just that she trivialized Iowans' fears of losing health care by telling them at a town hall, "we all are going to die" – it's that she doubled down.

She filmed what seemed like a mock-apology video at a cemetery. She said, "I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth."

She added that she was glad she didn't have to bring up the tooth fairy (what?!), and closed with: "For those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my Lord and savior Jesus Christ."

I'm a man of faith. The last thing I'd ever do is use my faith to tell people they should be okay with dying because Republicans in Washington denied them life-saving care. And I certainly wouldn't make light of cemeteries.

Yesterday, I spoke to MSNBC about Joni Ernst's horrible and disrespectful "apology," how it sealed the deal on my decision to run for Senate, and the incredible whirlwind the last few days have been as we've seen a wave of early support and the race already tighten in our favor.

If you have a few minutes, please watch the interview, share it with your friends and family, and pitch in a few dollars to keep momentum going strong.

Onward,

J.D.