Nikki Haley receives endorsement from a familiar face in Jasper County

Marlys Popma was an undecided voter when she arrived for a town hall meeting last week at DMACC Newton Campus. That all changed when she met Nikki Haley.

In a video posted by Haley’s campaign, Popma — who is resident of Kellogg and a former executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa — said on Nov. 17 she is no longer an undecided voter and “wholeheartedly” supports the former South Carolina governor and former United Nations ambassador.

“This all happened in Iowa. Don’t look at the polls. Don’t at what the media is telling you. Look at what you’ve heard today and be bold, and don’t be afraid to support the person you want to support because you think that somebody else is going to win,” Popma said. “Because that’s how we lose.”

Following the town hall, the Haley campaign released a statement from Popma expanding on her endorsement. Popma said Haley knows how to balance budgets and trim government waste due to her tenure as governor; her experience as ambassador also gives her a unique foreign affairs perspective.

“Although she has a gentle approach to the issue (of abortion), I am confident that she is 100 percent pro-life.” Popma said. “If we the people can get her a Congress that supports protection of the unborn, she will sign the most protective measures achievable to save as many babies as possible until we save them all.”

Haley spoke favorably of her endorser, saying Popma “has spent a lifetime using the power of her voice to fight for the unborn and rally Iowans to the cause.” In addition to Popma’s work for the Republican Party, she is also a two-time president of Iowa Right to Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion nonprofit.

“It’s an honor to have her endorsement and support.”