IOWA CITY — Excitement radiated throughout the room Thursday before Hillary Clinton took the stage at the University of Iowa Thursday night.
But Clinton wasn’t the driving force behind that excitement, as many college students turned out for pop star Demi Lovato, who kicked off festivities at the university’s Iowa Memorial Union in the heart of campus.
“[I’m here] for Demi, oh yeah,” said Makenna Cox, a freshman studying elementary education, who also went to see Clinton’s October event with Katy Perry in Des Moines. Cox said that she probably wasn’t going to caucus and wasn’t all that interested in Clinton.
“Uh, yeah.” said Emily Stuebing, a junior bio-chemistry student and Clinton supporter, referring to attending to see Lovato perform. “It’s definitely smart of her to bring Demi Lovato along…with a college crowd it’s a good idea.”
While some students were interested to hear Clinton’s message, some of whom were supporters and undecided, Lovato certainly punched the ticket for many who considered attending.
“I feel like it’s 50/50 — like 50 here for Demi, 50 here for Hiillary,” said Micah Millard, a freshman business major and undecided voter who said she came out mostly to see the pop star. “It’s a lot of power in one room.”
Iowa Rep. Dave Loebsack even acknowledged as much as he spent a few minutes warming up the crowd before either Lovato or Clinton took the stage
“I know you’re all here for Demi Lovato,” Loebsack said shortly before he concluded his remarks to loud cheers from the student-laden crowd. “I get that.”
“I’m here for Hillary,” said Christina Behrens, a junior psychology major, who pointed to her stance on healthcare as the main reason for backing the Democratic front-runner. However, Behrens admitted freely that many who came out for the event wanted to see Lovato, who came out to back Clinton after fellow celebrities Lena Dunham and Perry had already campaigned for her.
“All the girls behind me in line were freaking out in line about how Demi is here and asking if they were able to leave like once Demi was done performing,” Behrens said. “Definitely, people are here for that.”
Clinton only spoke to the packed crowd for five minutes after Lovato performed a three-song set. The former secretary of state held three events in Iowa Thursday.
Clinton is set to return to New Hampshire Friday for two town hall events. She currently trails Sen. Bernie Sanders there by 12 points (51-39), according to the latest RealClearPolitics average.
