Iowa voters show their independence

By The Gazette Editorial Board

Tuesday's national election returns indicated a mounting Republican surge in Congress, but Iowa voters were delivering a different message regarding their delegation, as well as the governor's office: Party affiliation didn't matter so much.

As this editorial was written, it appeared Republican Terry Branstad, would unseat Democrat Chet Culver in the heated governor's race. For Congress, incumbents in all five U.S. House seats as well as a Senate post won.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, to no surprise, won his sixth term handily. Many Iowans apparently still trust the Republican to be their watchdog.

In the 3rd District, Democrat Leonard Boswell handled a challenge from Republican first-time candidate Brad Zaun better than many political pundits expected.

Democrat Dave Loebsack's second defense against Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks was not as close as many predicted for the 2nd District race.

Rising Democrat star Bruce Braley stifled a well-funded Republican political newcomer, Ben Lange in the 1st District.

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans Tom Latham, 4th District, and Steve King, 5th District, were solid winners again.

The message? Iowans either are content with the job their congressmen are doing or didn't think they'd do much better with by going with the challengers, regardless of their political party. Perhaps that's not surprising. Iowans have been known for their independence in political matters.

By deadline time for this editorial, we were glad to see a constitutional convention rejected, worried that a bid to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices could possibly succeed, and happy for relief from nasty, misleading TV ads.