Al Gore endorses Grassley challenger in Iowa

Former Vice President Al Gore is endorsing Democrat Patty Judge as she seeks to unseat longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

{mosads}Gore, the 2000 Democratic presidential nominee and an environmental activist, on Thursday praised the former Iowa lieutenant governor as an “environmental champion” and knocked Grassley’s record on climate change.

“I’m fighting for leaders who are committed to taking action on climate change,” Gore wrote in an email to supporters. “Patty Judge is an environmental champion, and today, I’m thrilled to endorse her campaign for Senate.”

“Patty Judge firmly believes that protecting our environment and natural resources for future generations must be a priority. During her years of public service she has worked to secure funding for programs to protect natural resources and has played a key role in Iowa’s expansion of renewable energy. I know that she will continue to support moving our country away from fossil fuels and toward 21st century renewable fuel sources in the U.S. Senate.”

Democrats have been targeting Grassley’s seat and believe the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is vulnerable, especially because he’s at the center of the GOP blockade over President Obama’s Supreme Court nomination.

Grassley is a popular political fixture in Iowa and he’s always been reelected with more than 60 percent of the vote, but he’s acknowledged this is his toughest reelection to date.

So far, Grassley has maintained a lead in recent polls. A survey from Quinnipiac University released Thursday found him ahead by 9 points.