Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, is getting help from one of the Democratic Party’s biggest heavy-hitters in his primary fight with Ed Fallon.Former Vice President Al Gore has sent out an e-mail to Democrats asking for financial donations and support for Boswell’s campaign. Boswell is being challenged in the 3rd District Democratic primary by Ed Fallon, a former state legislator from Des Moines.

“The congressman is honored that Vice President Gore has endorsed his candidacy for re-election and is actively participating in this campaign,” said Boswell campaign manager Scott Ourth in a telephone interview with Iowa Independent.

The fundraising e-mail notes Boswell’s support for Gore during the presidential campaign of 2000. “I will never forget traveling across Iowa back in 1999 and 2000 during my presidential campaign with Leonard and his wife, Dody, joining Tipper and me. Few people fought as hard for me as Leonard did,” stated Gore. “From our very first bus trip until election night — every step of the way, he was right there beside me, standing up to pharmaceutical companies, fighting to make Iowa a leader in alternative energy. As you remember, we won the caucus.”

Fallon did not support Gore during the 2000 presidential campaign, opting instead to endorse and work on behalf of Green Party candidate Ralph Nader. Many Democrats still blame Nader for playing a part in Gore’s 2000 loss to George Bush.

Ourth said Gore is not scheduled to make any appearances in Iowa on Boswell’s behalf, but added, “We would of course be deeply honored if he would come to Iowa to help the congressman’s campaign.”