Vice President JD Vance headlined a rally in Council Bluffs today to boost Iowa Republican candidates on the November. Vance also touted the Trump Adminsitration’s record on immigration and tax policy as well as trade.
“My friends, what’s on the ballot in November is whether we have a government that fights…for Iowa farmers or fights against them,” Vance said.
Vance was joined by Chris McGowan, the Republican candidate in Iowa’s 4th congressional district, and Zach Lahn, the Republican running for governor. “He’s commited to make sure that Iowa is a place where you can put down roots, raise your children and know that if your children want to build a life, they can stay right here in Iowa,” Vance said. “They don’t have to go somewhere else to do it.”
Vance said Lahn is an ally to those focus on things water quality and healthy food. “He’s is going to be a fighter, ladies and gentlemen. That’s what we need,” Vance said. “We need somebody who is willing to stand up — stand up and protect your families, stand up and protect your farmers and your farmland, stand up for every Iowan who’s been told to sit down and take it.”
Vance called Lahn’s opponent Rob Sand a professional Democrat. “He’ll say: ‘Why do we even need labels?'” Vance said. “…Rob, if partisanship is a problem — and it is — the first place is to look in the damned mirror, Rob, because you’ve been a partisan Democrat your whole life.”
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said Vance visited Iowa “to prop up” the GOP’s candidate for governor, who she called “a career political operative” who wants to extend “the worst of Kim Reynolds’ agenda” for another four years.
Vance praised Republicans at today’s rally, like Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig and Secretary of State Paul Pate — all of whom are seeking re-election. Vance called Democrats running for the U.S. Senate in Kansas and Texas “lunatics” who have veered from the party of FDR and JFK.
“An amazing public servant. I know she couldn’t be here today, but are we going to elect Ashley Hinson the next United States Senator from the great state of Iowa?” Vance asked, and the crowd cheered. Vance did not mention Hinson’s Democratic opponent Josh Turek, who is from Council Bluffs.