Iowa GOP Third District Republican Congressional candidate David Young and Republican Senator Charles Grassley are barnstorming the sprawling 16 county district in advance of next month’s General Election. During their visit to the KJAN studios today (Friday), Senator Grassley spoke fondly about Young – his former Chief of Staff.

Grassley was asked however, if Young is too tied to Washington, having worked there for 20-years, and might be “out of touch with Iowans.”  He said “Nobody can level charges what-so-ever against him that he’s out of touch [because of his Iowa roots].”  The 46-year old Young, who’s from Van Meter in Dallas County, is locked in a tight race with former state lawmaker, 48-year old Democrat Staci Appel from Ackworth, for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Congressman Tom Latham. He says just because he has had experience working with Senator Grassley, doesn’t mean he’s a “Washington Insider”, as some would accuse him of being.

He said “I have had the best mentor in the world. Senator Grassley taught me how to listen, how to penetrate this government when the wheels of government are stuck.” The said he’s learned how to identify upcoming rules and regulations that affect Iowans and what they expect from government.

Grassley also reiterated his support for Red Oak Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst, who is running against Democrat Bruce Braley for retiring Senator Tom Harkin’s seat. Grassley said if Ernst is elected, Democrat Harry Reid won’t be running the Senate and there won’t be as much gridlock.

Young says unlike his opponent, who he claims “Will not be ready on day one,” he’ll hit the ground running when he is elected to office, and strive to bring Congress back in-line with what Americans want and expect from their government. Young says he wants to bring common sense back to Washington, by listening, asking questions and remembering “Who the boss is…The people of the Third District.”