Leading Dem Gov Candidate’s Gaffe Proves Why Dems Are Struggling In Rural Iowa

Over the weekend, the Des Moines Register reported that the Democratic party “is in tatters in rural Iowa”

The RGA writes

With Republicans dominating elections in Iowa and delivering on economic growth and low unemployment, Democrats are struggling over their focus on urban centers and out-of-touch messaging. Some Democrats believe it could cost them the governor’s race before it even begins.

Over the weekend, the Des Moines Register reported that the Democratic party “is in tatters in rural Iowa” and that candidates have become “estranged from members of the rural middle class.”

Battered by years of discordant messaging, ham-handed strategy and myopic focus on the state’s urban centers, the party’s candidates now face a steep climb as they try to build statewide coalitions for the 2018 election.”

“That reality was apparent in campaign swings by gubernatorial candidates Nate Boulton, Fred Hubbell and John Norris in recent weeks. From Independence in northeast Iowa to Bedford in the far southwest, local activists worried aloud that Democrats have become estranged from members of the rural middle class and distrusted on the core issues of economic opportunity that drive their votes.”

Just as the Des Moines Register was writing about Democrats’ being out-of-touch with rural voters, one of their leading candidates for governor, Fred Hubbell, proved the point.

Campaigning in rural Independence, Hubbell was asked what he would do for rural Iowa. He then reportedly “responded by talking about how he used to run Younkers in the 80s and had stores all across Iowa. Hubbel would visit the stores and speak with the customers and staff.”

Iowa Democrats’ message to rural voters: our candidate employed rural Iowans….in the Eighties.

Fred Hubbell’s out-of-touch gaffe shows exactly why Democrats are facing problems connecting with rural Iowans.

Des Moines Register: Looking to Rebuild, Democrats Face Major Challenges In Rural Iowa

Democrats running in a crowded primary race for Iowa governor are confronting an uncomfortable reality: Their party’s reputation is in tatters in rural Iowa.

Battered by years of discordant messaging, ham-handed strategy and myopic focus on the state's urban centers, the party's candidates now face a steep climb as they try to build statewide coalitions for the 2018 election.

That reality was apparent in campaign swings by gubernatorial candidates Nate Boulton, Fred Hubbell and John Norris in recent weeks. From Independence in northeast Iowa to Bedford in the far southwest, local activists worried aloud that Democrats have become estranged from members of the rural middle class and distrusted on the core issues of economic opportunity that drive their votes.

“We feel like we’ve been forgotten and that the Democratic Party is controlled by Des Moines,” former state Rep. Gene Ficken told Hubbell during a campaign meeting at an Independence coffee shop. “We need somebody to listen to us.”

Previously: 

1 year, 10 months ago

Governors in Iowa, North Dakota and Alabama join GOP colleagues in banning TikTok for state employees

The Republican governors of three more states have joined the growing number of GOP governors who are banning TikTok among state government employees amid security concerns about the Chinese-owned social media platform

1 year, 10 months ago

Arizona Governor Creates Shipping Container Border Wall

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has had hundreds of double-stacked shipping containers topped with razor wire placed on the state’s border with Mexico

1 year, 10 months ago

Stacey Abrams’s Georgia Nonprofit Could Face Criminal Investigations for Unlicensed Fundraising

New Georgia Project's charity license has lapsed in at least nine states

1 year, 10 months ago

Biden says ‘more important things’ than border visit, despite 59 trips to Delaware, 8 stops for ice cream

Biden has yet to visit southern border despite historic crisis under his watch

1 year, 11 months ago

Governor Kristi Noem delivers annual Budget Address, says the state can afford grocery tax cut

In about thirty minutes of remarks, Governor Kristi Noem laid out her administration would like to see nearly $2.2 billion spent over the course of the next fiscal year and a half.

1 year, 11 months ago

‘A Clear And Present Danger To Its Users:’ South Carolina Gov. Bans State Employees From Using TikTok Amid National Security Concerns

South Carolina became the second state in the union Monday to permanently ban state employees’ electronic devices from using TikTok amid federal officials sounding the alarm that the Chinese-based social media app threatens national security