The second debate between U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Democrat Theresa Greenfield wasn’t quite as entertaining as the first, but one of the final moments of the night exposed the Democrat challenger.
Greenfield’s record, which includes lawsuits for shoddy workmanship, use of inferior materials in her businesses, breach of contract and was left off the ballot two years ago due to felony election fraud. She also filed for bankruptcy, “sticking it” to Iowa businesses to the tune of $29 million, Ernst said.
Each candidate was allowed to ask the other a question. Greenfield asked Ernst if she would apologize to health care workers for comments she previously made about COVID.
Ernst took advantage of the opportunity and apologized.
Ernst then asked Greenfield if she would like to apologize to Iowa small business owners:
“I talked to a gentleman named Mark the other day, and he was one of those people that were affected when you booted the mom-and-pop shops out of a development area to make way for a foreign corporation. You know, he lost his entire winter revenue because of your actions Will you apologize to all of those small business owners for affecting their revenue, their income, affecting their family over a winter?” Ernst asked.
Greenfield dug in.
“Well, Sen. Ernst you are misleading and wrong, cause that’s not what happened and I’m quite proud of my record as a business leader,” Greenfield said.
“I have seen the letters personally signed by her,” Ernst said.
The two then sparred with each other over interruptions.
Greenfield said she’s proud of her business record.
“I have done and helped so many small businesses grow, I have helped so many of them move and expand and I’ve certainly worked with them through good times and bad,” Greenfield said. “Not all of them make it, but most of them do a great job providing for their families.
“And I’ll tell you, if you’re referring to the Apple Valley development project, it was an economic development project. And we gave every single tenant more notice than what was required. And we helped many of them move on to a new location, some of them in the same properties that we own.”
Ernst then unloaded just about everything after Greenfield accused Ernst of hating economic development.
“So, here is Ms. Greenfield who has been sued many times for shoddy workmanship, use of inferior materials in her businesses, she’s been sued for breach of contract, she is the hand-picked candidate from Nancy Pelosi two years ago when she couldn’t make it on the ballot because of felony election fraud, she’s someone who filed for bankruptcy, sticking it to Iowa businesses to the tune of $29 million dollars. I am very proud to support small business.”
Greenfield, who was visibly nervous with laughter, called Ernst dishonest and shocking.
“The documents are there, folks,” Ernst said. “Why on earth would we take someone that has this record of dishonesty and failed business leadership to the United States Senate?”
To be clear, in 2018, Democrat Iowa AG Tom Miller advised Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate not to certify Greenfield’s candidacy because her petition contained forgeries and she did not have enough signatures.
Bank of America sued Greenfield-led Rottlund Homes of Iowa and others for breach of contract and unjust enrichment as a result of nearly $29 million in outstanding debt.
The Villas at Berkshire Hills Homeowners Association sued Rottlund Homes for negligence, breach of contract, unjust enrichment and shoddy work on a condo project.
The Reserve Owners Association sued Rottlund Homes for negligence and shoddy work on a storm drain system that was blamed for flooded basements and damaged lots.
It was undoubtedly a crushing handful of seconds for Greenfield as her record of harming Iowans was revealed. All the while she refused to accept any blame or issue a single apology.
