A few facts about Iowa: Much of Iowa’s economy comes from farming, the American Gothic painting is probably the most famous piece of art from the state, and it’s the first state to vote for presidential candidates.
In case you didn’t know, Iowa gains nationwide attention because it’s the first state to hold an election that begins the process of determining who will be the presidential nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties.
On Feb. 3, Iowa will hold its 2020 presidential Democratic caucuses. Right now, it’s looking like this is going to be a battle between Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Amy Klobuchar.
With Sens. Klobuchar, Sanders, and Warren stuck in Washington to participate in the impeachment trial of President Trump, Biden and Buttigieg appear to be at an advantage where retail politics, such as town halls and meet and greets, are the keys to victory.
Winning the caucus is obviously big for a presidential hopeful as that is what gave President Barack Obama a much-needed boost over the odd-on favorite Hillary Clinton in 2008. However, it isn’t always the best indicator for the presumptive nominee.
President George H. W. Bush came in third in 1988, President Bill Clinton came in fourth in 1992, and Trump came in second in 2016.
Iowa is interesting this year not only because of the presidential race but because Iowans showing strong support for one of the Democratic candidates could mean trouble for Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.
Although Ernst is the incumbent, she’s incredibly vulnerable in a state that’s a quadrennial toss-up in presidential elections, which impacts down-ballot races like hers.
