Cedar Rapids attorney Dave O’Brien speaks at a forum for 1st Congressional District candidates at the Embassy Suites Des Moines Downtown.(Photo: Rodney White/Register file photo)
Hunter Biden, Vice President Joe Biden’s son, made a $500 contribution to the primary campaign of Dave O’Brien, a Democrat who is running for Iowa’s 1st District congressional seat.
At the end of the first quarter, O’Brien has raised $132,227, including Biden’s contribution from March 6.
O’Brien and Joe Biden met in Iowa in 1988, when Biden campaigned for O’Brien, who was running in the 6th Congressional District, according to the O’Brien campaign. Twenty years later, O’Brien was on the steering committee for Biden’s presidential campaign.
Hunter Biden is an attorney at a New York-based law firm. He previously served in the U.S. Department of Commerce, an appointee of President Bill Clinton.
The O’Brien campaign issued a statement on the younger Biden’s contribution.
“We are grateful to have Hunter Biden’s support in this race. The Bidens and O’Briens have been friends for over 25 years and this is a recognition of that friendship. Dave has continued to build a strong campaign in the First District. Voters are responding to his deep experience with federal issues and his vision for a stronger future for working families.”
O’Brien is one of five Democrats running in the 1st District primary. Democrat Bruce Braley is vacating the seat to run for U.S. Senate.