Bruce Lowell Braley (born October 30, 1957) is an American politician and attorney who served as the U.S. representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district from 2007 to 2015.

A member of the Democratic Party, he was defeated in his attempt to win an open seat in the 2014 United States Senate election in Iowa.

Braley attended college at Iowa State University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

[4][5] Braley won an open seat battle in the 1st district after eight-term Republican congressman Jim Nussle stepped down to make an unsuccessful run for Governor in 2006.

In the 2006 midterm election, Braley defeated Republican opponent Mike Whalen, a Quad City businessman.

[6] Braley became the second member of Iowa's congressional delegation to issue an endorsement in the 2008 presidential race, announcing his support on December 5, 2007, for former North Carolina Senator John Edwards in a press conference in Waterloo.

[11] Lange and Dubuque businessman Rod Blum announced their candidacy to run in a 1st District Republican primary to face Braley in a general election.

"[20] Braley told the Des Moines Register in a December 23, 2008 article that Congress cannot wait to enact reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, saying "We have ignored this problem for far too long.

[25] Afterwards Braley praised the address, saying: “I’m glad the President so strongly emphasized strengthening the middle class tonight.

The American middle class is being squeezed more than ever, yet Wall Street bankers and big corporations are making record profits.”[26] Braley opposes the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

[28] On March 21, 2010, Braley voted for the final version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

[32] On October 13, 2011 he voted against HR 358, Amends Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to Prohibit Abortion Coverage.

"[40] During a debate in September 2014, Braley stated that he had recently voted to authorize strikes against terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

According to The Washington Post, it "is devoted to economic issues of interest to the middle-class, from the promotion of fair trade to the creation of well-paying jobs.

[47] Despite expectations of a close race, Ernst pulled away in the last week, and won by over eight percentage points, helped by a series of gaffes by Braley.

In October 2013, the government shutdown caused the House gym to lay off staff, including the towel attendants.

[52] In response to the negative coverage generated by his comments,[38] Braley issued a press release which touted his farming background.

"[38] His gaffe was not only seen as an insult to Grassley, but also to Iowa's large farming population,[54] prompting The Hill to name him as one of the "top 10 worst candidates of 2014.

[56] University of Iowa political science professor Timothy Hagle stated that there was a double standard of sexism between Republicans and Democrats, saying "Imagine if a GOP candidate had used a 'chick' in an ad against a female opponent.