Candidates make final pitch to voters

WASHINGTON — Last weekend was a flurry of activity across Southeast Iowa as candidates for various offices scrambled to get their closing messages out to constituents in the waning time before Election Day on Nov. 8.

For statewide and federal offices, that largely meant holding events and rallies. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ tour bus made a stop in Mt. Pleasant Saturday to do just that, joined by plenty of big-name Republicans like Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, as well as candidates in the party for other state races.

"It’s an important part of the county, it’s an important part of the district,“ Reynolds said. ”This is our 41st stop, and we’re going to keep stopping in communities all across the state … I love the turnout, the energy, the momentum.“

On Friday, U.S. House Candidate Christina Bohannan held her own event at a cafe in Washington, where the Democrat spoke with constituents over coffee. The county has a conservative voting record, but she said it was still an important stop.

"I’ve been going all over Southeast Iowa, big places, small places, Democratic places, Republican places,“ Bohannan said. ”One of the things I firmly believe is that as a congressperson, I would represent everybody, whether they voted for me or not … it’s really important to go to places where there are people who probably don’t agree with me.“

For many in races that didn’t span the state, the preelection weekend was spent knocking on doors, as were the last several months.

"As far as our local races, we feel that is the best way that we can get out and talk to as many constituents as possible,“ Republican State Sen. Dawn Driscoll said. ”What better way to talk to someone, to hear their issues and the things they’re concerned about (than) the candidate actually being on their doorstep?“

Sen. Kevin Kinney, Driscoll’s opponent thanks to recent redistricting, had a similar plan of action.

“In the final days of the campaign, we’re focusing on talking directly to voters and constituents,” said Mat Willey, Kinney’ campaign manager. “We have dozens of volunteers out knocking doors, texting and calling voters to help get out the vote.”

State House Candidate Eileen Beran also braved the elements to go canvassing Saturday. She said the home stretch was less about persuading voters to pick a side — as most already have — and more about reminding them to turn out.

"In my district, there’s 10,000 Democrats and Independents, about 7,500 Republicans,“ Beran said. “If we can get Democrats to the polls and get some other parties to join with voting on our side, we can win this … so it’s a reminder for people to get out and vote, because (in) midterms, sometimes people just stay home or sit it out.“

Some legislative candidates stayed out of the cold and rain, however. State Sen. Incumbent Adrian Dickey spent Saturday morning at Mt. Pleasant’s GOP rally.

“I’ve been door knocking for seven months, I’ve got a thousand signs up, I did that before I even got an opponent” Dickey said. “These people came here to see all the people that are running for office. It was, if anything, more important to be here and show support.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com