Where are these ‘socialists’ at the U of I?

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad testified he “graduated from the University of Iowa a long time ago in political science, and I know that most of the teachers are socialists.” (See Quotes of the Week (Gazette, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, 8C).

This testimony puzzles me. I joined the Political Science Department of the University of Iowa as an Assistant Professor in 1974. Since that time I have resided in Iowa City, as a political science professor, and still have a University of Iowa affiliation.

When I reflect over these 50 years, I can recall a number of Democrats and Republicans and some independents, conservatives, and liberals. But I cannot recall a single colleague who identified as a socialist.

Michael S. Lewis-Beck

F. Wendell Miller Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Iowa

Iowa City