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by Judd Saul

My name is Judd Saul. I am a Conservative Tea Party Christian Activist from Cedar Falls, Iowa. For far too long, I have been sitting back listening and watching as our so-called Christian leaders continuously sell us out for either campaign donations or just pure power or “influence.”

For years, my family has generously donated to campaigns and causes. We are always glad to give to something worthwhile. After all, we need to fight the good fight, don’t we? Then one day, I woke up. I asked myself where all this money is really going. Why is nothing ever changing? Why do things seem to get worse? Then you realize you’re getting hit from 30 different organizations delivering the same message: “The sky is falling, please send $25!”

The rude awakening hit me this year. The same people pleading the same message came through my own family door. But this time, things were a little tougher across Iowa. The economy is down. People seem to be more desperate.

Enter Steve Sheffler, head of Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and Republican National Committeeman. During the course of this year’s Iowa caucus process, he walked into my mother’s office. He gave the same pitch and asked for 20k. My mom was a little hesitant. He then said that “she would make a great delegate to the national convention.” She told him that I (Judd Saul) am more active in Iowa politics and that I should be the one to go. He declined, stating that I am “too tea party” and that it “wouldn’t work” (for what, I’m not sure). This exchange and its implications made my mom very uncomfortable with the situation. She chose not to donate. Not because of me, but because what he “offered” based on her making a donation was completely unethical.

I have since then spoken to others who have had the exact same experience as my mother. The plea, the veiled promise, the desperate close. 

This is how he plays the game.

Steve Scheffler has been going around Iowa asking for very hefty donations to the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition in the price range of 10-20 thousand dollars. Then, to sweeten the deal, he offers a near guaranteed seat to the National Convention. He has a “Top List” which he hands out to his supporters and tells them to vote for who is on the list. It’s referred to as “Scheffler’s List.” (not kidding)

So, if you’re in Iowa and Scheffler approaches you at the district and state conventions, (you know who you are), I implore you–Do not play his game any longer. It’s wrong! (I was one of you.)

He has been doing this all over Iowa for far too long. It is time to get rid of the corruption.

To put a finer point on this, ask yourselves this question: Where are the voter guides? Scheffler has been (allegedly) fundraising and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars to print voter guides via IFFC but there are none! We were promised voter guides for the caucus this year. That’s why many of us were giving. Have you actually seen any of the voter guides in your church? I haven’t. If they were there, maybe we would have had a better voter turnout from the churches.

It time to stand up for what is right without compromise! Where has compromising gotten us? Look around—are things better in our state for all the “activism” and fundraising of Steve Scheffler?

I will not sit here any longer and tolerate people using the name of Jesus Christ to raise money and line their pockets. Because of my awakening to the realities of what is happening in our state (and across the country), I have decided to announce my campaign for National Committeeman.

Judd Saul is a well-known Iowa Tea Party activist from Black Hawk County.