Iowa tapped Barack Obama for two terms as president but has leaned rightward since backing former President Donald Trump twice, reaching a point now where the outcome of next month’s election could end its status as a swing state.
The Hawkeye State’s lone congressional Democrat, Cindy Axne, is in a tight contest as Republicans aim to turn the state’s congressional delegation fully to their side for the first time since the 1950s. Since 2020, the share of registered Democrats has slipped, while Republicans and independent voters have increased. Governor Kim Reynolds, both its U.S. senators, three of the four U.S. representatives and the majority in the state legislature are Republicans.
While several of the races have tightened in the weeks before Election Day on Nov. 8, Iowa’s results could underscore the GOP’s strength ahead of the 2024 presidential election and lead the parties to focus efforts elsewhere.
