MEDIA RELEASE: Republicans sweep Iowa State Fair Straw Poll

DES MOINES – Republican candidates won all six races in Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate’s State Fair Straw Poll. Conducted on iPads at the Secretary of State’s booth inside the Varied Industries Building, the poll gauged fairgoers’ support for candidates in Iowa’s U.S. Senate, U.S. House and Governor’s races. It was held throughout the State Fair, August 11-21. More than 2,600 individuals cast votes.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R) was the favorite choice in the U.S. Senate race, garnering 59% of the votes cast. Michael Franken (D) picked up 34%.

Governor Kim Reynolds (R) won the straw poll in the Governor’s race, with 57% of the vote. Her 1,507 votes were the most of any candidate in any race. Deidre DeJear (D) was second with 30% and Libertarian Rick Stewart placed third at 9%.

“I want to thank the thousands of Iowans who visited our booth over the past 11 days and everyone who cast their vote in the Straw Poll,” Secretary Pate said. “This was a fun way to get people interested in the upcoming election, and to encourage civic engagement. I hope every eligible Iowan casts a vote in the November general election.”

Secretary Pate also polled Iowa’s four U.S. House races. In the First Congressional District, Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) won with 61% of the vote compared to Christina Bohannan (D) with 32%. In Iowa’s Second Congressional District, Ashley Hinson (R) garnered 60% of votes cast. Liz Mathis (D) picked up 32%.

In Iowa’s Third Congressional District, Zach Nunn (R) won the Straw Poll with 58% of the vote compared to Cindy Axne’s (D) 39% share of the vote. In the Fourth Congressional District, Randy Feenstra (R) outdistanced the field with 63%, Ryan Melton (D) placed second at 23% and Bryan Jack Holder (Liberty Caucus) was third at 10%.

The State Fair Straw Poll also included this question: ‘What is your favorite part of the Iowa State Fair?’ Fair Food was the top choice, at 35%. People Watching placed second at 24% and Livestock/Agriculture came in third at 17%.

Full results are available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, sos.iowa.gov. All results are nonscientific and intended for entertainment purposes, and to encourage voter participation.

A soundbite from Secretary Pate is available for your use at this link.

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