Political campaigns across Iowa spent the weekend encouraging residents who have not yet voted to participate in Tuesday’s election.
On Saturday morning, AFL-CIO National President Liz Shuler met with union members volunteering to go door-to-door and speak with potential voters. Shuler told the group she was encouraged by the level of political activity she had seen across Iowa.
On Sunday afternoon, Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann addressed supporters ahead of President Donald Trump’s appearance in Dubuque. Kaufmann encouraged attendees to contact voters and help arrange transportation to polling locations.
During his remarks, Trump promoted Republican candidates in Iowa and urged supporters to vote. He also criticized Democratic candidates and their positions.
Several Democratic candidates and campaign representatives also held events over the weekend. Kentucky Senator Andy Beshear, who leads the Democratic Governors Association, spoke to supporters of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand on Sunday evening. Beshear encouraged volunteers to continue making calls and going door-to-door ahead of Election Day.
Sand told supporters that, despite favorable polling, the campaign was continuing its voter outreach efforts and was not taking the election results for granted. He also discussed the potential impact of continued one-party control in Iowa.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn spoke at the Dubuque event, encouraging supporters to participate in Tuesday’s election.
Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson also addressed the crowd before Trump’s arrival. She discussed the importance of the U.S. Senate race and encouraged Iowans to vote.
Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek held a rally in his hometown of Council Bluffs Sunday evening. Turek described the Senate contest as potentially one of the closest races in the country and emphasized the importance of voter participation.
According to state officials, more than 440,000 Iowans had cast early ballots as of Friday morning.
The importance of close elections was also highlighted by the 1974 U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire. Following recounts and congressional proceedings that failed to resolve the contest, a special election was held in 1975. That election resulted in a significantly larger margin of victory.
With Election Day approaching Tuesday, campaigns from both major political parties are continuing their efforts to reach voters and encourage participation.
