Iowa Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten is launching a challenge against Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), he confirmed to multiple outlets, as the Republican draws backlash for remarks at a recent town hall.

“After her comments over the weekend, I've been thinking about it for a while, but that's when I just said: This is unacceptable, and you've gotta jump in," Scholten told The Gazette.

Scholten told Politico that Ernst’s remarks “disrespected” Iowans and that “now’s the time” to make his bid official.

Ernst had pushed back against constituents who shouted at the Butler, Iowa, town hall event that cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would cause people to die.

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