A video recently shared by the Daily Caller reveals that Democratic Iowa state senator and congressional candidate Sara Trone Garriott openly acknowledges that she alters her persona based on who is funding her. This statement was made during the Iowa Secular Summit in July 2023, where she utilized PowerPoint to present to attendees.
Trone Garriott remarked, “There are times in my life as a state representative where I know for sure where I’m doing church stuff and I’m a pastor and that’s my purpose. And there are times when I’m a senator and I know that’s what I’m there for.” She admitted that navigating these different roles can sometimes get “messy” and even “confusing,” expressing her uncertainty about her identity at times. “I don’t really know who I am right now. I’m a jack of all trades,” she said, noting that her attire and name tag sometimes indicate who is backing her, which complicates matters.
Beyond her comments on adapting her persona for funding, she has attracted contributions from notable Democratic figures. Recently, her campaign received a significant donation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, setting a record for the quarter. Interestingly, the address tied to this donation matches that of Pritzker’s campaign committee, hinting at deeper connections.
The Daily Caller also reached out to confirm the donation’s authenticity with Pritzker’s campaign but did not receive a response. Additionally, Trone Garriott has seen support from prominent Democratic backers like Quinn Delaney and Elizabeth Simmons, who are known for advocating to “defund the police.” Delaney is a co-founder of the Akonadi Foundation and has played a role in supporting various progressive initiatives.
On the other hand, Simmons, who is linked to billionaire Jim Simmons, has made significant contributions to political campaigns, including a notable amount to a Virginia attorney general race. During that campaign, controversial text messages from the candidate surfaced, displaying aggressive rhetoric towards political opponents.
Further complicating the narrative, Trone Garriott has also received backing from the American Association for Justice PAC, which is in favor of abolishing qualified immunity for law enforcement, aligning with broader calls for reform following high-profile incidents of police misconduct.
According to fundraising records, a substantial portion—nearly 80%—of her campaign funds came from out-of-state donors, with over a third of that from California. When confronted about her comments and the contributions she’s received, a spokesperson for Trone Garriott suggested that her opponent, Republican Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn, was simply desperate, arguing that his criticisms were unfounded and aimed at undermining her experience as a pastor and public servant.
The spokesperson highlighted that while Trone Garriott juggles multiple roles to support her family in Iowa, Nunn benefits from a higher living cost due to his position. It was also pointed out that Nunn has received support from the same AAJ PAC. As the Nov. 3 general election approaches, Trone Garriott is set to challenge Nunn, as the political landscape continues to evolve. The Daily Caller made attempts to contact Governor Pritzker for commentary, but those inquiries were redirected to his campaign office, which did not respond in time for this article.
