Rock Rapids, Iowa – The next presidential election may seem like it’s that far away, but it really isn’t.
In about a year, people will vote in the first presidential primaries.
That means major decisions are expected in the coming weeks by governors, senators, a former vice president and even the current president.
focus on iowa
When you start talking about the presidential election, it makes sense to start with Iowa.
After all, Iowa typically kicks off the primary calendar with the first caucus in the country.
That’s expected to be the case again in 2024, at least for Republicans.
With former President Donald Trump running again for the Republican nomination, a big question is whether his position in the state is the same as it ever was.
For the answer, we went to a very specific part of Iowa – Rock Rapids. Why this small town in the northwest corner of the state? Over 82% of Lyons County voted for Trump in 2020. No other county had more support for Trump by percentage.
If Mr. Trump is going to cruise to re-nomination, here are the signs.
“This is the heart of Republican politics,” said Cody Hoffert, a longtime leader of Republican politics in the county.
Hoffert is recently retired, which gives him some freedom to speak his mind.
“I think, obviously, there’s a lot of support for President Trump still standing here and there, but I think there are opportunities for other candidates,” Hoffert said.
“It’s like a clean slate — you have to earn these voters every four years,” Hoffert said.
Some of those voters whose support Trump will need to earn or re-earn are members of the “Golden Oldies”.
Diana and Dean Feucht said they still support the former president.
Dean said, “What I liked about him are his policies.”
However, there is a longing for others to join the race.
“We need new blood, young candidates,” said Bruce Metzger.
“I like Nikki Haley,” he said.
Howard Mogler, a longtime Republican, said, “I will never vote for Trump.”
Mogler said, “I expect DeSantis to run – he seems honest and respects his people.”
This perspective is in line with some national polls that suggest a competitive caucus is on the horizon.
not for democrats
However, this is not necessarily true for Democrats. At the Iowa State Capitol, Democrats are frantically trying to save their political tradition after President Joe Biden suggested Iowa might lose its first position in the country.
“We are disappointed,” said Iowa Democratic House Speaker Jennifer Confrest.
The president wants South Carolina to go first after emerging criticism of Iowa’s lack of diversity and taking too long to vet.
Konfrst is trying to convince national Democrats that the criticism is wrong.
In an effort to change views, Democrats in Iowa have agreed to make caucuses more accessible with early voting options.
“If you leave out states like Iowa, pretty soon you leave out a lot of the heartland,” Konfrust said.
So, while 2023 may have just started, the hype for 2024 will soon pick up pace.
Iowa, at least for Republicans, looks set to be crucially important again.
“In Iowa, politics never ends,” Hoffert said.
