Iowa
Republicans prepare for first-in-nation Iowa caucuses
Caucusgoers are heading out in freezing temperatures to cast the first votes of the 2024 presidential election. Snowfall and temperatures have set new records in the days leading up to the Iowa caucuses.
“I haven’t ever experienced a minus 15 degrees in my life,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at an event in Altoona last week.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley told Iowans attending an event in Ankeny, “It’s going to be so cold. Like, I don’t even know what minus 15 is.”
“That was a hell of a trip I just took,” former President Trump told a Clinton rally. “The snow came and the rain. I saw everything.”
LIVE BLOG: TRUMP, HALEY, DESANTIS FACE OFF AT IOWA CAUCUSES IN GOP 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE
The winter storm has forced the candidates to adjust their schedules. Trump had to cancel several events and held a tele-rally. Haley also held telephone town halls after a series of cancellations.
“I have to say, I am definitely not in South Carolina anymore. This is unbelievable,” she told attendees at a Waukee event.
DeSantis also canceled events and was forced to readjust his schedule due to the weather. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has criticized the other candidates for cancellations, despite canceling his own events.
“Some saw a snowstorm, canceled events in northwest Iowa,” Ramaswamy said at a Sioux City rally, just one day before canceling his events in Coralville and Burlington. “We got four events. We’re keeping them intact. You can’t handle the snow, you’re not ready for Xi Jinping. That’s my view.”
Ahead of our interview with Ramaswamy in Dallas County, the Republican candidate’s bus was unable to make the drive from Sioux City to Des Moines because of black ice.
With candidates already getting less voter interaction and threatening cold temperatures, some worry it could impact turnout.
“It’s a little concerning for some of us who’ve been at this process a long time, because we have some seniors who vote. And sometimes when the weather is bad, they don’t vote,” former Iowa Republican Party co-Chair David Oman said. “I’m hopeful and have been thinking, up until just now with the weather, that we might have a record turnout.”
Early voting or mail-in ballots are not an option for most Republican caucusgoers. Instead, they must brave the elements to attend in person.
“The caucus process and how it differs from a primary is that you actually have to be at the place of the precinct caucus at a specific time,” State Historical Society of Iowa historian Leo Landis said.
The caucuses are run by political parties, and primaries are usually run by the state. Iowa Republicans have more than 1,600 locations.
“People come together and sit in a room, or a classroom or a civic building and talk about the campaign,” Oman said.
Candidate representatives often give speeches in an attempt to sway caucusgoers who may still be undecided. Caucusgoers then cast their votes using a secret ballot.
“Sometimes they’re preprinted and you might check a name, or sometimes you just write the name on a slip of paper,” Landis said. “It’s the oldest way that nomination processes took place, was neighbors gathering, promoting a candidate or a cause that they thought was important and trying to convince their neighbors.”
They also select delegates for the county conventions. It’s the beginning of a multi-tiered process that involves electing delegates to attend the Republican National Convention. Those individuals are bound to back the winner of the GOP caucuses in Milwaukee this summer. But that was not always the case. The 2012 Iowa caucuses led to major changes for Republicans.
Mitt Romney had initially appeared to defeat Rick Santorum.
“In 2012, we had a slight glitch where Mitt Romney won by eight votes,” Oman said.
Around two weeks after the results were announced, a new tally showed Santorum had more votes than Romney.
YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO THE IOWA CAUCUSES AND WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR
The eventual winner would change once again during the Republican National Convention. Since the delegates were not bound to vote for Santorum or Romney at the convention, they were able to switch their preference to Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
“Rep. Paul saw how contested conventions could lead to a different nomination,” Landis said. “Even though delegates are supposedly locked in, the nomination at the convention shifted.”
For the 2016 election cycle, the Republican National Committee made it so that delegates were bound to the candidate to which they were allocated.
“That was something that you did have, especially in the 1970s, where the Reagan-versus-Ford campaign really wasn’t locked up till the national convention,” Landis said.
Democrats do not have binding delegates but have changed their process dramatically after issues plagued the 2020 caucuses.
“You can’t talk about the 2020 Democratic nomination process without saying it was a debacle,” Landis said.
The party was unable to determine a winner due to glitches with the app it used to record and report results.
“They didn’t report any votes because they didn’t have any votes,” Oman said.
They eventually released a tally showing former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg had narrowly defeated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“With the three-day wait and maybe having some issues about where the votes counted or the caucus delegates counted accurately really did reflect poorly on the Iowa Democratic Party,” Landis said.
While some criticize the process on both sides, Iowans say the first-in-the-nation status helps boost voter turnout.
“Certainly it has limitations, but it’s not as if primaries bring out more than 50% of the voters. So, it really is the engaged electorate who’s participating in caucuses,” Landis said.
Whether Democrats make Iowa first once again in 2028 is unclear.
TRUMP, HALEY AND DESANTIS HAVE PLENTY ON THE LINE AS IOWA CAUCUSES KICK OFF THE GOP PRESIDENTIAL RACE
“I think it’s going to be a hard, hard push for the Iowa Democratic Party to get that back,” Landis said.
Democrats were the first to make Iowa the first in the nation event. Republicans followed suit in 1976.
“In 1972, you’ve got Edmund Muskie versus George McGovern, and Muskie was the senator from Maine, seen as the front-runner,” Landis said.
South Dakota Sen. George McGovern campaigned heavily in Iowa. While he did not win the caucuses, he did much better than expected and eventually became the 1972 Democrat nominee.
“McGovern used Iowa to prove he was a viable candidate,” Landis said. “Then in 1976, it really does become a national event for candidates.”
While the winner in Iowa does not always determine the nominee, it does give candidates momentum. In 1980, George H.W. Bush won the caucuses and went on to be Ronald Reagan’s vice president. He was eventually elected to the White House in 1988. That year, Bob Dole won the caucuses with the help of his Iowa-native campaign manager.
“We take politics very seriously because this process has worked for almost two generations,” Oman said.
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While the polls have Trump in the lead, Iowa caucusgoers could help another candidate get the boost they need to either win the nomination or other top political positions.
“You’ve got these stories that sometimes get overlooked in Iowa’s role,” Landis said. “They show who are good candidates with good messages, with good organizations and [who] might be a great candidate on a national stage, too.”
Iowa
Fatal crash on I-35 in Iowa
NORTHWOOD, Iowa (KTTC) – One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Worth County.
According to Iowa State Patrol, around 1:45 p.m., a vehicle was traveling southbound on Interstate 35 in Worth County near the 208-exit ramp. The driver lost control of the vehicle, went into the median, through the cable barrier and struck the bridge pillar.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Find stories like this and more, in our apps.
Copyright 2024 KTTC. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Updating Iowa State rankings in college football polls ahead of UCF matchup
Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell praises linebackers’ efforts
It hasn’t been easy for Iowa State’s linebackers, who have been hurt by injuries, but players continue to step up for the Cyclones.
The latest college football polls have been released, and Iowa State keeps moving up.
Iowa State improved to 6-0 after beating West Virginia 28-16 on Saturday in Morgantown.
The Cyclones are now set for a matchup at home vs. UCF on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Iowa State rankings update
Where did Iowa State land?
On Sunday, Iowa State checked in at No. 12 in USATODAY US LBM coaches poll. Previously, the Cyclones were No. 13.
Iowa State climbed up to No. 9 in the newest AP Top 25 college football poll. Last week, the Cyclones were No. 11.
US LBM Coaches Poll
Here is a look at the new US LBM college football coaches poll top 25.
- Texas
- Oregon
- Penn State
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Miami (Fla.)
- Alabama
- LSU
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Notre Dame
- Iowa State
- BYU
- Texas A&M
- Ole Miss
- Missouri
- Kansas State
- Indiana
- Boise State
- Pittsburgh
- Illinois
- Michigan
- SMU
- Army West Point
- Nebraska
Schools Dropped Out
No. 16 Oklahoma; No. 17 Utah
Others Receiving Votes
Oklahoma 81; Arizona State 49; Navy 37; Utah 31; Vanderbilt 26; Syracuse 13; UNLV 12; Iowa 12; Texas Tech 9; Liberty 9; Washington State 8; Memphis 4; Louisville 4; James Madison 3; Tulane 2
AP Poll
Here is a look at the new Associated Press college football poll top 25
- Texas
- Oregon
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Miami (Fla.)
- Alabama
- LSU
- Iowa State
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Notre Dame
- BYU
- Texas A&M
- Boise State
- Indiana
- Kansas State
- Ole Miss
- Missouri
- PIttsburgh
- SMU
- Illinois
- Army West Point
- Michigan
- Navy
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:
Vanderbilt 68, Nebraska 62, Arizona St. 39, Oklahoma 36, Washington St. 32, Iowa 29, Texas Tech 18, Syracuse 13, Arkansas 13, Utah 7, Louisville 6, Southern Cal 5, Liberty 2, UNLV 1.
Reach Eugene Rapay at erapay@gannett.com and follow him on X/Twitter @erapay5.
Iowa
Becht, Hansen lead No. 11 Iowa State over West Virginia 28-16 for first 6-0 start since 1938
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht believes the Cyclones have yet to hit their peak during their best start in 86 years.
Carson Hansen rushed for three scores, Becht threw a touchdown pass and No. 11 Iowa State beat West Virginia 28-16 on Saturday night.
The Cyclones (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) opened the season with six wins for the first time since 1938.
“I feel like we haven’t even played our best game yet as a whole — special teams, defense, and offense,” Becht said. The goal is “finding ways to get better each and every single week, and our mindset is just 0-0 and trying to win that next game.”
Iowa State forged a first-place tie in the league with BYU and idle Texas Tech.
The Cyclones broke open a close game by scoring two touchdowns after intercepting West Virginia’s Garrett Greene in the second half.
Becht found Eli Green on passes of 12 and 34 yards on consecutive plays to set up the Cyclones at the West Virginia 17. A third-down holding call on West Virginia cornerback Ayden Garnes gave Iowa State first-and-goal at the 3, and Hansen scored on the next play for a 21-10 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Jontez Williams made his third interception of the season on West Virginia’s next drive, and Iowa State took over at the Mountaineers’ 34. Hansen ran for 20 yards on the ensuing drive, capped by his 2-yard scoring run for a 28-10 lead with 4:42 left.
Hansen, a sophomore who also scored on an 11-yard run in the second quarter, finished with 96 rushing yards, one shy of the career high he set last week against Baylor. He ran for a total of 67 yards during an injury-filled freshman season.
“For him to consistently play the way he has the last couple of weeks, it’s awesome to watch,” Becht said.
West Virginia (3-3, 2-1) was held to 148 rushing yards against the league’s top defense after amassing 389 yards on the ground a week ago at Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers were hurt by several high snaps that threw off their timing and runs parallel to the line of scrimmage that lost yardage.
“In the second half, when it was winning time, we didn’t win,” said West Virginia coach Neal Brown. “We struggled to get into a rhythm.”
Becht completed 18 of 26 passes for 265 yards, including a 60-yard scoring toss to Jaylin Noel in blown coverage in the second quarter.
Becht’s father, Anthony, was honored on the field after the first quarter for his induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He played tight end for the Mountaineers from 1996-99 and 11 seasons in the NFL.
“You couldn’t ask for a greater night for his family,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said.
Rocco Becht said he wished he could have been there with his dad, “but I had bigger things going on trying to win this game.”
Jahiem White had an 8-yard scoring run and a 10-yard TD catch for West Virginia. Greene finished 18 of 32 for 206 yards.
Iowa State: The Cyclones answered the challenge on both sides of the ball in winning their seventh straight road game. Becht played smart and efficient, and the nation’s sixth-best scoring defense was stout again.
West Virginia: The Mountaineers many too many mistakes at key times and now have lost eight consecutive games to ranked opponents.
Iowa State might have a tough time moving up when the AP poll comes out on Sunday. The Cyclones were tied at No. 11 with Notre Dame, which beat Stanford 49-7.
Iowa State: Hosts UCF on Saturday night.
West Virginia: Hosts No. 18 Kansas State on Saturday night.
___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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