Two of Linn County's female candidates have made it through the voting process to arrive in the final round of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's "Building Blue" contest: Swati Dandekar and Gretchen Lawyer.

Dandekar currently serves in the Iowa House of Representatives, but is making a bid for the Iowa Senate seat that was vacated by Mary Lundby.

Lawyer is a newcomer, a Marion resident, and is hoping to earn the House seat that Dandekar is vacating.

While there are other candidates remaining in the voting pool -- including two other very strong and wonderful Democratic women -- I'm encouraging all Essential Estrogen readers to visit the "Building Blue" site and cast votes for Lawyer and Dandekar. Not only am I blessed to have them both as neighbors, but I've watched as they have suspended politics to address the flooding situation in the Cedar Rapids area. They've shown a commitment to community that deserves reward.

Voting closes on June 30th.

Harkin's contest, which awards campaign funds to candidates earning the most votes, was extended to the end of the month in hopes that more Iowans, including those dealing with flood waters, could participate. Prize money being awarded in this final round is $5,000.

Photos of Dandekar helping with flood clean-up:

Photos of Lawyer helping with flood clean up:

This is a crosspost from Essential Estrogen.