Campaign Almanac: ‘Enthusiasm’ for Kamala Harris has Iowa Democrats feeling optimistic

DES MOINES — In a state-of-the-race memo published 50 days out from the Nov. 5 election, the Iowa Democratic Party claims that excitement in Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy, fundraising successes, and what they call a “toxic” agenda from Iowa Republicans have Democrats feeling optimistic.

“Iowa Democrats are under no illusions that the next 50 days will be easy or Kamala Harris is now a favorite to flip the state, but the hard work of Iowa Democrats means the Party is in a position to take advantage of opportunities while Iowa Republicans have been caught flat-footed and are on the defensive,” the memo says. “As Chair (Rita) Hart said at the Steak Fry on Saturday, Iowa Democrats have ‘one big opportunity and a lot of enthusiasm.’”

The memo begins by highlighting a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll that shows Republican former President Donald Trump with a mere 4-point lead in Iowa over Harris.

The memo highlights Republican-supported policies, including Project 2025 — a presidential policy plan developed by the conservative Heritage Foundation from which Trump has tried to distance himself despite it being led and developed by former Trump administration officials.

The policy section also highlights Iowa’s new abortion restrictions, which ban the procedure after cardiac activity can be detected, which is typically around the sixth week of pregnancy and usually before the parent is aware of the pregnancy.

Iowa Democrats also noted a campaign fundraising edge over their Republican counterparts, pointing at cash on hand in federal accounts. At the end of July, the Iowa Democratic Party had $595,000 in its federal campaign account, while the Republican Party of Iowa had $108,000, according to federal campaign finance records.

However, in their state accounts as of July 14, the Iowa Democratic Party had $362,000 while the Republican Party of Iowa had $867,000.

The memo also addressed voter outreach efforts, in particular the state party’s effort to reach the more than 92,000 Democrats who voted in 2018 but did not vote in 2022.

“We’ve had so much enthusiasm at the top of the ticket that we’re feeling lucky, but I want you to know that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” Hart said in a statement quoted in the memo.

The Republican Party of Iowa reacted to the Democrats’ memo with a statement from state party spokesman Luke Wolff: “Iowans will overwhelmingly re-elect President Trump and all four Republican members of Congress because Democrats are wildly out of touch with Iowa voters. The Republican Party of Iowa remains confident we will have a successful November.”

Iowa Farm Bureau endorses Republican Randy Feenstra

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Western Iowa U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra has received the Iowa Farm Bureau’s endorsement, the Feenstra campaign announced.

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s political arm designated Feenstra one of its “Friends of Agriculture.”

The Republican incumbent in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, Feenstra is seeking a third, two-year term in the U.S. House. His opponent is Democrat Ryan Melton.

“As a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, I’ve fought to strengthen crop insurance, increase demand for our commodities, and lower costs for our farmers and producers,” Feenstra said in the campaign news release. “Our farmers and producers feed and fuel our country and the world, and it’s our job to ensure that they can do so without burdensome regulations, high taxes, and government interference.”

Hear from candidates running for Iowa Legislature in Linn County

The League of Women Voters of Linn County will host candidate forums Thursday, Sept. 19, and Tuesday, Sept. 24, ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

The forums will be held in person. Questions are submitted by attendees and presented to the candidates by the forum moderator.

Thursday’s forum will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Mount Vernon High School Performing Arts Center, 731 Palisades Rd. SW. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Republican incumbent state Rep. Cindy Golding, of rural Linn County, and Democratic challenger Kent McNally, of Central City, have agreed to attend the forum.

Golding is running for a second term representing House District 83. The district covers northeast Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Center Point, Central City, Coggon, Palo, Alburnett and other communities in Linn County.

A farmer and small business owner, Golding defeated Democratic newcomer Kriss Nall in 2022 to win the seat. A union leader with IBEW Local 405, McNally also teaches classes for journeymen and apprentices at the Cedar Rapids Electrical Apprenticeship Training and Education Trust Center.

Tuesday’s forum will be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the community room of the Hiawatha Public Library. All candidates for House Districts 79, 80, 84 and Senate District 40 have been invited to attend.

Democratic incumbent Rep. Tracy Ehlert, of Cedar Rapids, is running for re-election to a fourth term representing House District 79. She faces Republican challenger Barclay Woerner.

Hiawatha City Council member Aime Wichtendahl, a Democrat and Iowa’s first transgender elected official, and Cedar Rapids veteran John Thompson, a Republican, are running for House District 80, an open seat encompassing Hiawatha, Robins and part of Cedar Rapids.

Rep. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids, currently represents the district, but is running for Iowa Senate. Staed and former Cedar Rapids City Council member Kris Gulick, a Republican, are running for the Senate seat being vacated by Democratic incumbent Todd Taylor. The district covers Robins, Hiawatha and parts of Cedar Rapids.

Republican State Rep. Thomas Gerhold, of Atkins, is running for re-election to a fourth term representing House District 84. He faces Libertarian challenger Ashley Meredith of Vinton. The district covers most of Benton County, including Vinton, and several townships in Linn County.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to keeping an informed electorate through advocacy and community events.