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The Iowa Federation of Republican Women is preparing for their Legislative Day, which is coming up on March 10. President Barbara Hames-Bryant said the group is eagerly awaiting its day at the Capitol.

“We have meetings scheduled with as many Republican legislators as possible,” she said. “We’ll be meeting with Jack Whitver and Charles Schneider in the Senate. We’ll be talking to them about agenda items that the Iowa Federation and National Federation have. Mostly we’re going to be asking what we can do to help them get elected.”

The group also has time scheduled with Speaker Pat Grassley. Republican National Committeeman Steve Scheffler will speak with the group, as well as Gov. Kim Reynolds.

“It’ll be a very full and very fun day,” Hames-Bryant said.

The Iowa Federation of Republican Women is an extremely active group with 13 different clubs throughout the state.

“That’s where the real work gets done,” Hames-Bryant said. “That’s where we talk to candidates, that’s where we help candidates and that’s where we recruit members for the club. That’s where the real energy comes from and it all flows up to the state club.”

Reynolds, Iowa’s first female governor and a longtime Iowa FRW member herself, said the group shows up at the Capitol in force every year.

“These women are the epitome of grassroots activism and exemplify Iowa values and work ethic,” Reynolds said. “I’ve heard them say they ‘work their heels off’ to get candidates elected and promote conservative causes and I know it’s true because I’ve seen them do it.”

Getting Republicans elected is the top goal for the group, whether it’s at the local, state or federal level. They knock doors, they address envelopes, they host watch parties — they do just about everything they can, Hames-Bryant said.

Hames-Bryant stepped into the role of President at the beginning of the year. She was previously president of the Linn County group.

“It’s kind of like going from high school to college where you think you’re ready, but it’s a whole new level of busyness,” she said.

She’s focused on spreading the word across the Hawkeye State about the organization.

“I feel good, but not great,” she said in terms of where the group is heading into 2020. “Our group is very well organized. We’re very motivated. We have a lot of strong, intelligent women. Where we could improve is, we need to get more strong, intelligent women. We need to get the word out. I talk to so many people who are really excited and say they wish they had known about the group.”

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