Iowa Dem accused of assault by former campaign manager

Democratic Iowa Senate candidate Mike Franken’s former campaign manager accused him of assault in spring 2022, according to a police report published by a local news outlet.

Franken assaulted former campaign manager Kimberley Strope-Boggus outside a bar in March 2022, according to a Des Moines Police Department report obtained by Iowa Field Report. Strope-Boggus worked as Franken’s campaign manager during his unsuccessful 2020 Senate run, and was fired from his campaign shortly before the March assault, according to the report. Franken defeated former Rep. Abby Finkenauer in a June primary, and will face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley in November.

Franken and Strope-Boggus allegedly met at a bar in Des Moines to discuss her potential return to the campaign. After their meeting, Franken “grabbed the collar of the vest [Strope-Boggus] was wearing and kissed her on her mouth,” according to the report. Strope-Boggus then reported the assault to Franken’s current campaign manager, according to the report. She did not rejoin the Franken campaign.