DES MOINES — Republican Brian Nevermann says he is “not a fan” of Donald Trump, and is undecided on who he’ll caucus for next January. The 60-year old Iowan suggested Trump asking Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find enough votes to reverse his 2020 loss in Georgia is potentially “kind of serious.”
Iowa
In Iowa, Republicans shrug off Trump’s legal woes, echoing his defiance
Yet to Nevermann, the fourth indictment Trump faces, coming this week in Georgia over efforts to reverse his 2020 defeat, amounts to “a political hit job,” and he expressed concern about the impact on Trump’s ability to campaign. Together with the other three indictments the former president is confronting, it makes Nevermann “in a way … want to resist the left more and say ‘Okay, I can support Trump.’”
Richard Christie dismisses the latest indictment as “absolutely fraudulent.” A Trump backer, the 62-year-old Republican predicted that Trump’s trials will “increase the determination for the people that know what’s going on to vote for him and support him.”
And when it comes to his own support, the indictments will “make it stronger,” he said.
Interviews this week at the Iowa State Fair and on the campaign trail in this first-in-the-nation GOP caucus state showed that Republicans across the party spectrum, from Trump die-hards to his critics, see the indictments he now faces as largely politically-motivated or disproportionate responses to his actions. The Washington Post spoke to more than 20 people with varying political affiliations. Prosecutors overseeing the cases have defended their work and said they have acted on facts, not politics.
The Republican comments closely resembled the rhetoric used by Trump and many of his 2024 rivals to disparage the prosecutors and judges at the center of the cases and accuse them of trying to interfere with the campaign. They also reflect broader trends in the Republican race this summer: As Trump has taken on increasing legal peril, he has built a commanding lead in the polls of the GOP race nationally and here in Iowa, rallying support from rank-and-file Republicans with a combative and defiant pitch as his opponents struggle to break through.
At the same time, some Republicans here voiced concerns about the impact of the indictments on swing voters and others in the general election if Trump is the nominee, reflecting a quieter but still detectable unease some in the party have voiced as his legal woes have piled up.
“There’s the always Trumpers, there’s the never Trumpers, it’s that middle or as we used to call them, independents,” said Steve Oxford, 66, an Iowa Republican, who leans toward Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), but would support Trump if he is the GOP nominee. “I don’t see them voting for Trump, and I think that’s going to make the difference,” he said, adding that the indictments are “absolutely” a factor.
As Trump has repeated false claims about the election and portrayed himself as the victim of a “witch hunt,” officials including Attorney General Merrick Garland have defended Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith’s integrity, as he leads two probes into Trump. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, a Democrat, made similar comments this week after the indictment there. “I make decisions in this office based on facts and the law,” she said. “The law is completely nonpartisan.”
But that has left many Republicans unconvinced, including Carol Weber, 77, a retired music teacher who lives in Ames, Iowa, and attended a Story County GOP dinner Tuesday evening. She said “it’s time to move to a new Republican” but called the indictment “very unfair.”
“I think that the Democratic Party wants to literally put him in prison or allow him not to run again,” Weber said. “Why did they wait for three years for the indictments?”
In interviews, some Republicans who do not plan to support Trump for the nomination said they’d lost track of his legal entanglements and were fatigued.
Diane Vallejo from Perry, Iowa, described the indictments as “ad nauseam” and said she had tired of hearing about them.
“It just seems like they get through one, and they do another one,” she said. Others expressed frustration about the indictments becoming a distraction from other topics, like the economy.
The latest indictment out of Fulton County, Ga., charges Trump in relation to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The investigation began two-and-half years ago, after audio leaked of Trump’s call to Raffensperger. Trump has said he will be exonerated.
He has pleaded not guilty after being indicted in three previous cases, including Smith’s federal case over his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and disrupt the transfer of power after Joe Biden’s victory.
An AP-NORC poll released Wednesday found that 51 percent of Americans said they thought Trump did something illegal in his alleged attempt to interfere in Georgia’s vote count in the 2020 election; 47 percent said he did something illegal in his role in what happened during the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol. Smaller shares said he did something unethical but not illegal or that he did nothing wrong.
But among Republicans, just 16 percent said they viewed Trump’s alleged actions in Georgia as illegal; 26 percent said his behavior was unethical but not illegal; 31 percent said there was nothing wrong with it; and 27 percent said they did not know enough to say.
“I don’t think he’s innocent, but I don’t think he’s near as guilty as they’re trying to make him out to be,” Oxford said on a sunny Tuesday morning, while waiting to hear Scott speak with Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds at the fair. “I think if they scrutinized all politicians the way they’ve scrutinized Trump we would have nobody to vote for.”
As Scott toured the fair Tuesday — taking selfies with fairgoers, playing catch, and grilling pork — he reiterated accusatory comments about the legal system “being weaponized against political opponents.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s main GOP rival, called the latest Georgia indictment a “criminalization of politics.”
Trump has also been indicted on federal charges of mishandling classified information, and he was charged in New York earlier this year with falsifying business records related to hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign.
After the New York indictment, Trump received a boost among Republicans for the party’s nomination, rising from 46 percent support in a Washington Post average of polls to 53 percent in May. His support hasn’t shifted much in the wake of federal indictments over classified documents and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. His support in general election polls also hasn’t shifted much.
Some of the Iowans who spoke to The Post said they were more skeptical of this latest indictment due to the publication of a document that appeared to show charges against Trump before the indictment was announced. The clerk’s office said no charges had been filed and that the document was not authentic. Instead, the clerk’s office said it was conducting a trial run in anticipation of the indictment.
The interviews here this week, which included some Democrats, also highlighted the party-line divide over Trump’s legal entanglements.
“I’m not surprised, and I’m glad to see that the justice system is working,” said Tiffany Welch, 43, an independent who plans to support Biden in the general election. “We heard the phone calls, we heard the audio of this, we heard just how bad it was. And all the indictments are very important … but this is even more of just Trump having to go to no ends to retain control.”
“I love it,” added Gary Zabel, 67, an Iowa Democrat, referring to the latest indictment. Zabel said he believes Trump is “guilty” and that “it’s all part of the same pattern.” “It seems now if he gets indicted it improves his stances in the polls. I think people will get sick of it by the time the election comes around,” he predicted.
Others voiced a different sentiment.
“I feel like we could waste less time on indicting each other and figure out government,” said Taveis Stevens, 44, a Democrat who said he would likely not support Biden again. “I just think it affects the American public more than anything, and that’s the hardest pill to swallow.”
“There’s just so much noise out there, that all the indictments seem the same,” added Shirley Burgess, 71, an Iowa Republican who is undecided but likes tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. “There are so many, in my opinion, more pressing issues … my give a s— factor is like minus 10 on this whole thing.”
Scott Clement and Perry Stein contributed to this report.
Iowa
What channel is Iowa State vs. West Virginia game tonight (10/12/24)? FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV, Channel for college football, Week 7
The No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones, led by quarterback Rocco Becht, face the West Virginia Mountaineers, led by quarterback Garrett Greene on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 (10/12/24) at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W. Va.
How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NCAA Football, Week 7
Who: Iowa State vs. West Virginia
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024
Where: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial)
***
Here are the best streaming options for college football this season:
Fubo TV (free trial): fuboTV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS.
DirecTV Stream (free trial): DirecTV Stream carries ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS.
Sling TV ($25 off the first month)– Sling TV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC and NBC.
ESPN+($9.99 a month): ESPN+ carries college football games each weekend for only $9.99 a month. These games are exclusive to the platform.
Peacock TV ($5.99 a month): Peacock will simulstream all of NBC Sports’ college football games airing on the NBC broadcast network this season, including Big Ten Saturday Night. Peacock will also stream Notre Dame home games. Certain games will be streamed exclusively on Peacock this year as well.
Paramount+ (free trial): Paramount Plus will live stream college football games airing on CBS this year.
***
Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press:
No. 11 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) at West Virginia (3-2, 2-0), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Iowa State by 3.
Series record: West Virginia leads 6-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Iowa State is off to its best start since 1980, and a win would make them 6-0 for the first time since 1938. The Cyclones are looking to extend their road winning streak to seven games. West Virginia is going after its third straight win after a 1-2 start. Iowa State and West Virginia are 2-0 in conference play. One of them will forge a first-place tie with idle Texas Tech.
KEY MATCHUP
Iowa State’s defense vs. West Virginia QB Garrett Greene. Of the dual-threat quarterbacks the Cyclones have faced so far, Greene could be the best. He had runs of 39, 15 and 10 yards against Oklahoma State last week and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 59 yards per game. Run defense hasn’t been a strength for the Cyclones, who hope to force Greene to try to beat them through the air. Iowa State has the Big 12’s top defense, allowing just 10 points and 272 yards per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Iowa State: LB Kooper Ebel has led or co-led the team in tackles in three straight games. He made just three tackles in eight games as a freshman last year. He added 15 pounds to get up to 240 on his 6-foot-4 frame and has made at least six stops in all five games. Last week he had eight tackles and a quarterback hurry against Baylor.
West Virginia: RB Jahiem White. The sophomore ran for a season-high 158 yards in the lopsided win at Oklahoma State and the Mountaineers compiled 389 on the ground. White hopes to be back on track after being limited to 94 yards combined against No. 4 Penn State, No. 22 Pittsburgh and Kansas.
FACTS & FIGURES
Anthony Becht, a tight end for the Mountaineers from 1996 to 1999, will be honored during the game for his induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. His son, Rocco, is Iowa State’s quarterback. … The Cyclones have won 12 straight when scoring at least 30 points. They’ve scored at least 30 in the last five meetings with WVU. … ISU had nine plays of 20 or more yards against Baylor last week, tied for the most by a Power Four team against a conference opponent this season. … The Cyclones’ defense gets better as the game progresses. They’re allowing an average of 4.0 points and 112 yards in the second halves. … West Virginia will wear all-black uniforms in honor of the state’s coal mining industry.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
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Iowa
Rosemount H.S. Marching Band wins at Iowa competition
The Rosemount High School Marching Band is celebrating a big victory from a competition earlier this fall. In late September they took home the Class AAA Championship trophy at the Bands of America regional competition in Waukee, Iowa. Members of the band joined the FOX 9 Morning News to talk about the win and share how they are getting ready for another big competition this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Iowa
Iowa high school football scores for Week 7
Des Moines Register’s Top 10 Iowa high school football players in 2024
Here’s a look at The Register’s Top 10 Iowa high school football players in 2024.
(This story was updated to add new information)
It’s Week 7 of the Iowa high school football season. Check out our list of IHSAA scores from Friday night’s action.
Stream Iowa HS football on the NFHS Network
Scores are listed in alphabetical order by winning team
IHSAA scores from Week 7 of Iowa high school football season
Friday’s games:
- Ankeny Centennial 45, Des Moines Roosevelt 3
- Bedford 77, Lamoni 0
- Benton 38, Grinnell 7
- Bettendorf 48, Davenport Central 0
- Cedar Falls 38, Dubuque Senior 0
- Cedar Rapids Kennedy 45, Dubuque Hempstead 14
- Cedar Rapids Prairie 56, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 7
- Cedar Rapids Xavier 35, Oskaloosa 0
- Central City 64, Lone Tree 8
- Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 23, Western Christian 7
- Clarinda 47, Chariton 7
- Columbus 48, Van Buren County 7
- Creston 70, Knoxville 0
- Crestwood 28, New Hampton 27
- Davenport Assumption 34, Washington 6
- Decorah 57, Marion 14
- Dike-New Hartford 42, Aplington-Parkersburg 0
- Don Bosco 62, Turkey Valley 0
- Dowling Catholic 49, Urbandale 28
- Dyersville Beckman 28, Iowa City Regina 15
- East Mills 50, Exira-EHK 44
- East Union 64, Murray 36
- Easton Valley 61, Midland 21
- Edgewood-Colesburg 84, Calamus-Wheatland 31
- Emmetsburg 64, Eagle Grove 0
- Fremont-Mills 40, CAM 28
- Fort Dodge 55, Storm Lake 26
- Fort Dodge St. Edmond 43, Colo-Nesco 6
- Glenwood 20, Dallas Center-Grimes 17
- Glidden-Ralston 48, Coon Rapids-Bayard 6
- GMG 52, Meskwaki Settlement 0
- Greene County 10, Southeast Valley 7
- Harlan 24, Nevada 21
- Highland 41, Louisa-Muscatine 6
- Hinton 19, OABCIG 13
- Humboldt 21, Algona 20
- IKM-Manning 13, Southwest Valley 6
- Iowa City Liberty 28, Ankeny 20
- Jesup 35, Iowa Falls-Alden 6
- Johnston 56, Council Bluffs Lincoln 7
- Lenox 55, Southeast Warren 8
- Lewis Central 28, Winterset 24
- Linn-Mar 55, Davenport West 6
- Logan-Magnolia 14, Council Bluffs St. Albert 10
- Maquoketa Valley 35, North Linn 16
- Marshalltown 26, Ames 21
- Mediapolis 49, Davis County 20
- MMCRU 41, Westwood 18
- MOC-Floyd Valley 35, Sioux Center 14
- Mount Vernon 56, Fort Madison 7
- North Butler 22, Nashua-Plainfield 0
- North Fayette Valley won by forfeit over Oelwein
- North Iowa 46, Harris-Lake Park 40
- North Polk 22, Indianola 21
- Okoboji 49, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 21
- Osage 42, Waukon 6
- Pekin 57, Wapello 0
- Pleasant Valley 42, Muscatine 7
- Remsen St. Mary’s 46, Woodbine 30
- Riceville 57, Waterloo Christian 0
- Ridge View 22, West Sioux 7
- Riverside 41, Earlham 6
- Roland-Story 28, Des Moines Christian 21
- Saint Ansgar 53, West Fork 0
- Sergeant Bluff-Luton 21, Carroll 0
- Sibley-Ocheyedan 48, HMS 14
- Sidney 62, Stanton-Essex 20
- Sigourney-Keota 62, Colfax-Mingo 26
- South Central Calhoun 41, Panorama 12
- South Hardin 34, Hudson 21
- Southeast Polk 31, Waukee 28
- Spencer 41, Sioux City West 0
- Spirit Lake 49, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura 6
- Sumner-Fredericksburg 54, Central Springs 12
- Treynor 36, Shenandoah 6
- Tri-Center 34, Woodbury Central 8
- Underwood 41, Missouri Valley 6
- Van Meter 54, Centerville 0
- Wapsie Valley 46, BCLUW 0
- Wayne 30, Central Decatur 6
- Webster City 42, Charles City 21
- West Hancock 60, Lake Mills 6
- West Lyon 50, Sheldon 0
- Wilton 39, West Branch 20
- Winfield-Mt. Union 68, Mormon Trail 8
Thursday’s games:
- Le Mars 44, Fort Dodge 37
- Pella 42, D.M. Hoover 10
- S.C North 37, D.M. East 0
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