Voter tic-tac-toe game could be trouble for Democrats, Michael Mauro says
By Jennifer Jacobs
The Des Moines Register
Iowa’s top elections official, a Democrat, said he isn’t certain he’ll win re-election in November, given a political atmosphere that seems to favor Republicans.
“I think this election’s a 50-50 shot,” Secretary of State Michael Mauro said in an interview Monday. “I mean, I’m hoping. I pick the paper up and read the polls like everybody else does. I get concerned. I’m hoping things’ll straighten out.”
DES MOINES – The Republican Party of Iowa today invited all Iowans to visit the Iowa GOP booth at the Iowa State Fair, which runs this Thursday, August 12 through Sunday, August 22. Republican candidates, office holders and national leaders are all planning stops at the Iowa GOP booth to meet the scores of Iowans who come by every day.
Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn said, “I encourage all Iowans to stop by and talk with our candidates, to hear their principled solutions for moving this state forward. We’ll also have absentee ballot requests for Iowans ready to send a message that we need principled, conservative government here in Iowa.”
Chairman Strawn issued this video invitation to Iowans:
In addition to meeting fellow Republicans, Iowans have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the sold-out Iowa-Iowa State football game. The theme for this year’s fair is “non-stop fun” and what can be more fun than the traditional in-state rivalry? People can enter to win by texting the word “Cyclones” or “Hawkeyes” (whichever team you plan to root for) to 41513, or enter at the booth. A random winner will be chosen at the conclusion of the Fair.
The Iowa GOP booth will be in its traditional location along the North wall of the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building.
Below is the current schedule of appearances by GOP candidates, office-holders and national leaders. Please note this is a preliminary schedule. Other appearances will be added during the fair.
Thursday, Aug. 12 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt
Friday, Aug. 13 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt
Friday, Aug. 13 – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Former Gov. Terry Branstad
Friday, Aug. 13 – Noon to 2 p.m. – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich
Friday, Aug. 13 – 2:30 p.m. – Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 2nd CD nominee
Friday, Aug. 13 – 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Matt Schultz, Secretary of State nominee
Friday, Aug. 13 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Dave Jamison, State Treasurer nominee
Saturday, Aug. 14 – 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Congressman Steve King, 5th CD
Saturday, Aug. 14 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt
Saturday, Aug. 14 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Matt Schultz, Secretary of State nominee
Saturday, Aug. 14 – 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Brad Zaun, 3rd CD nominee
Sunday, Aug. 15 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt
Sunday, Aug. 15 – 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Brad Zaun, 3rd CD nominee
Monday, Aug. 16 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt
Monday, Aug. 16 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Ben Lange, 1st CD nominee
Tuesday, Aug. 17 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. State Auditor David Vaudt
Wednesday, Aug. 18 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. State Auditor David Vaudt
Wednesday, Aug. 18 10:30 a.m. Congressman Tom Latham, 4th CD
Wednesday, Aug. 18 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Matt Schultz, Secretary of State nominee
Wednesday, Aug. 18 3 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
Wednesday, Aug. 18 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Dave Jamison, State Treasurer nominee
Thursday, Aug. 19 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Brenna Findley, Iowa Attorney General nominee
Thursday, Aug. 19 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn
Thursday, Aug. 19 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Brad Zaun, 3rd CD nominee
Friday, Aug. 20 Noon – 2 p.m. Dave Jamison, State Treasurer nominee
Political newcomer Matt Schultz leads incumbent Secretary of State Mike Mauro in TheIowaRepublican.com Battleground Poll. Schultz leads Mauro 33% to 30%, but the poll also shows that 35% of those surveyed have not made up their minds about the race.
Schultz told TheIowaRepublican.com, “These numbers are encouraging, but it won’t change what I’m doing. I have always campaigned as if I am 20 points behind, and I won’t stop working hard.”
Schultz’ surprising strength in the poll can be attributed to Mauro’s obscurity across the state. As a first term incumbent, Mauro hasn’t built the name ID that Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald have during their three decades in office. On top of that, Mauro has done very little since being elected in 2006 to introduce himself to voters outside of Polk County.
When you look at the break down of the polling results by congressional district, Schultz beats Mauro in three of the five districts. He beats Mauro in the 1st, 4th, and 5th congressional districts, while Mauro wins in the 2nd and 3rd districts. Democrats have a strong voter registration advantage in areas where Mauro is the strongest. Mauro also served as the Polk County Auditor for nine years before being elected Secretary of State, so one would expect him to do well in the 3rd District.
