Cindy Axne, the Democratic candidate for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, recently shared her story of fighting off a violent attempted rape and said she is angry that sexual assault is becoming a partisan political issue.She said the attack happened three decades ago when she was a young college graduate.She was walking home after a night out in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood."The next thing I knew, I was shoved into an alley," Axne said."I was on the ground and I looked up, and there was a guy with a ski mask on," Axne recalled. "He said, 'Don't say anything or I am really going to hurt you.' And I just remember saying, 'Yeah right,' and punching him -- because I always carried my keys in between my fingers for safety -- and started punching and kicking and yelling."Axne said neighbors heard her screams and came out to help. The assailant ran away, and she never reported the incident to police."This is my story, but I think the story is bigger than that for women in general," Axne said.Axne said she's telling her story now because so many women, including Dr. Christine Blasey Ford who accused Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, are telling theirs."This should be an issue for every single person in this country, that we understand we need to keep our women and our girls safe," Axne said. "This has become something that's Republican versus Democrat, (and that) is unacceptable. I am quite honestly angry about that."RELATED: Victims advocate upset over Trump's tone on sexual assaultSexual assault survivors 'empowered' after Cosby sentencingVictim resource centers see spike in calls after Kavanaugh hearingAxne is running against Republican incumbent David Young in a tight 3rd District Congressional race.The Democratic candidate said she knows critics will ask why she's going public with her sexual assault story now."I have never approached this race from trying to get a soundbite out there that would help me," Axne said. "This race has always been about Iowans and making sure they have opportunity, and if one of my stories can help our community and the women within, then I am happy to share it."Axne said she wants to protect Title IX within Iowa's universities, ensure workplaces are safe and use proper protocols to address issues related to mental health.