August, 2018
Des Moines, IA
A year from now, this will be the political epicenter of the world.
This is the Iowa State Fair; the place where presidential ambitions are made and broken, where one selfie of a candidate eating a double bacon corn dog is worth its weight in electoral gold.
In 2019, candidates from around the country will descend on this spot in Des Moines. There are sure to be plenty of Democrats, and maybe some Republicans too.
This year, top tier candidates mostly steered clear of the fair. So with the mobs of politicos and reporters largely sidelined for another 365 days, we took the opportunity to examine the hopes and dreams of these fairgoers who provide a political bellwether, not only for the 2020 election, but for the midterms in November.
So candidates, listen up. We spent four days stumbling around the Iowa State Fair, asking Iowans about the policies, politics and campaign pledges that will have you sipping champagne on caucus night. Here’s what we found.
Executive Summary
Iowans want candidates to be real. In describing what they want from a candidate they use words like “real, honest, genuine, authentic.” This is a sentiment that cut across political parties and was raised by nearly every Iowan we spoke to at the fair.
But, Iowans also say don’t pretend to be genuine. And that they will know it if you are pretending to be genuine. The 2017 Iowa State Fair Queen pointed out that if a candidate smiles at you and then turns away and frowns, that’s a good indicator that they’re putting on airs. They want you to tow a thin line between adopting their customs and being patronizing.
The issues that stood out to Iowans were healthcare, the economy, and supporting farmers. Local politicos also reinforce the idea that Iowa is more than corn and oats. The city of Des Moines is a major insurance and financial hub. And the state is also a leader in the renewable energy sector.
Many voters who supported President Trump in 2016 said they would be open to hearing from other Republicans at the fair if they wanted to challenge the incumbent.
You’ll often be locked in conversation with a Republican who is traveling around the fair with a close friend or family member of the other party. Most Iowans have friends and family with opposing political viewpoints and they do not openly begrudge them.
Opportunity abounds. Data from the Iowa Secretary of State shows a near even split between Democratic, Republican and “No Party” registration in the state. And Iowans at the fair often expressed their willingness to vote across party lines if the right candidate came along.
Nearly every voter says they don’t have an opinion about politics and that they don’t talk about politics and then immediately proceed to talk about politics extensively and intelligently.
Before heading on stage at the Des Moines Register’s soapbox, make sure you’re prepared for anything. Hecklers are not uncommon. And you never know who might show up. As Democratic presidential candidate John Delaney made his pitch this year, former Republican House Speaker John Boehner showed up and stood in the back, drawing the local and national reporters off the stage. Delaney handled it like a pro, quipping “I appreciate you coming out and supporting me, I really do.”
Iowans overwhelmingly recommend trying porkchop on a stick as their favorite fair food, though other respondents mentioned the turkey leg and the funnel cakes as top picks. This reporter enjoyed 7 corndogs, 3 porkchops on a stick and half of a funnel cake and can confirm their high quality.
Case Studies
“Study up and help the farmers out. They’re suffering right now.”
Zach Eberling, 22
Postville, Iowa
Construction worker
“We’ll be able to see through it if you’re all talk and no show.”
Jacqueline Ehrlich, 20
Dubuque, Iowa
2017 Iowa State Fair Queen
“Flash does not work. Trump he got his own way of doing things when he did it. But that doesn’t always appeal.”
Steve Townsend, 63,
“Outside Cambridge”
“If you can’t do something, come out and say it. If you’re going to raise taxes, come out and say it. But don’t lie to Iowans. They don’t like that.”
José Medina, 68
He definitely should try to relate and not be the pompous Trump that he usually is because Iowans, we wear cow boots and jeans all year round.
Matt Rodriguez, 20
Clive, Iowa
“Don’t campaign. Be one of the crowd. Be one of the people that can actually relate. Everything is politics, everywhere you go is politics, politics, politics.
Julius Williams, 36
Des Moines, Iowa
"I want to see someone who will bring us together."
Jennifer Hanssen
