Representative Bruce Braley visited Knoxville yesterday. A group of 40-50 people gathered at Peace Tree Brewing Company to talk with the 2014 U.S. Senate candidate. Braley, who grew up in Brooklyn, Iowa, says when someone needed help growing up, you didn’t ask if they were Republican or Democrat. You simply reached out to them. He says that’s what he’s carried over to his job as Representative and what he wants to take into the Senate. Braley says that several bills he’s introduced in the House have received bipartisan support because he’s not afraid to reach across the aisle. Braley says that Sentator Tom Harkin, Iowa’s retiring Democratic Senator who supports Braley, has given him a few pieces of advice: never forget where you came from; never forget the people who gave you the privilege of serving them; and always try to find ways to create opportunities for people in society – those who need that government safety net to get them through tough times – so that they can contribute to the good of society and live the American Dream.

Rep. Braley is the only Democrat that has announced intentions to run for U.S. Senate next year. Six Republicans have announced their intentions to run thus far.