“If we win Iowa, we’re going to do just fine,” Reid said on a call organized by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. “Iowa is a key for what we do.”

During the call, Reid said Joni Ernst, the GOP Senate nominee in Iowa, would be a disaster for issues key to progressives, like protecting Social Security and raising the minimum wage.

Ernst, a state senator, and Braley, a four-term congressman, are locked in one of the closest Senate races in the country.

“Bruce Braley is a fine man. He has a good record of public service,” Reid said.

“She’s [Ernst] so far to the right that I’m sure many parts of the right wouldn’t like what she’s talking about,” he added.