Democratic 2020 presidential candidates were quick to cheer their party retaining an Iowa state Senate seat after a hotly contested special election.
Democratic Iowa state Sen.-elect Eric Giddens defeated Republican opponent and former GOP state Rep. Walt Rogers late Tuesday when he earned 7,610 votes to Rogers’ 5,631 votes, according to the Iowa secretary of state. Libertarian prospect Fred Perryman received 143 votes, meaning the northeast Iowa district will stay in Democratic hands, a trend that started since the seat was redistricted in 2013.
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Congrats, @EricGiddens4IA, on your big win tonight! https://t.co/aiOE4zPdGN
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) March 20, 2019
Congratulations to Iowa’s newest State Senator, @EricGiddens4IA! Elections matter—can’t want to see the great things he’ll do in the Iowa Senate, and bravo to the dedicated volunteers and supporters who won this fight for our progressive values. #SD30
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) March 20, 2019
Giddens experienced a jolt in name recognition over the course of his three-week campaign after about 10 White House contenders descended on Iowa state Senate District 30. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, as well as former Reps. John Delaney of Maryland and Beto O’Rourke of Texas, were among those who joined him on the trail, stumping for him during the final weekend before Election Day.
For folks who live in Iowa Senate District 30, THIS TUESDAY is Election Day. I’m pumped to be helping get out the vote for @EricGiddens4IA today. You can help, too — sign up to volunteer! https://t.co/F5mOe1trXz pic.twitter.com/J6XX9t4WEg
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) March 17, 2019
.@EricGiddens4IA has the right experience and ideas. If you live in Iowa’s Senate District 30, get out and vote! pic.twitter.com/CM2nFG5QDc
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) March 16, 2019
Knocking on some doors on a lovely afternoon in Waterloo. Getting out the vote for @EricGiddens4IA! #iapolitics #SD30 #GOTV pic.twitter.com/wJo47NPeKh
— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) March 16, 2019
Going door to door with @EricGiddens4IA before Tuesday’s SD30 special election. pic.twitter.com/i5gDmrXLP5
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) March 16, 2019
Giddens told the Des Moines Register “the whole thing” was “bizarre,” before adding it was “mutually beneficial.” Rogers decried the outside interest, referring to the 2020 Democrats on Twitter as “out of state left wing radicals,” in a line of attack echoed by the Iowa Republican Party.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was one of the first to pay Giddens a visit, last month taking part in his Black Hawk County canvass kick-off. Other presidential hopefuls who made appearances included former Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado andcurrent Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana, Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, and entrepreneur Andrew Yang of New York.
Sen. Kamala Harris of California, whose own event with Giddens in February was canceled due to inclement weather, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York voiced their support over social media to make amends for their absence on the ground.
Democrats in Iowa are fighting to protect women’s rights and Iowa’s schools, which is why every single seat in the State Senate matters. District 30: today’s your day to make a difference. Get out and vote today to support @EricGiddens4IA. Polls close at 9 p.m.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 19, 2019
If we want to get back on track with the issues we care about—from health care to education—we have to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. Panthers, go VOTE today and tomorrow for @EricGiddens4IA in the Senate District 30 special election! #PanthersVote https://t.co/O1TFhbiFxs
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) March 12, 2019
National party figures boost depressed special election voter turnouts, Timothy Hagle, an Iowa University political science associate professor, told the Washington Examiner. But it was unclear whether their work motivating the base will be negated by their simultaneously energizing the opposition, Hagle said in an email.
“There’s no guarantee the candidate for whom such high profile folks stump will win, but if that person does win it certainly looks good for you,” he said. “Even if that candidate loses, your time there shows commitment to the party and, hopefully on the part of the national person, you have made some friends who can help with your own campaign.”
Giddens, a local school board member and former teacher, replaces Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson. Danielson resigned in February so he could accept a job in the private sector. Giddens’ win, however, will not change the balance of power in the Iowa state legislature as the GOP maintains control of the Senate and House of Representatives.
