Special Report
A View from Dubuque, IA: Third in a Series
GOP Voters are Sticking with Trump, but Centrist Voters are the Key by CHRISTOPHER B. BUDZISZ The so-called “blue wave” of 2018 that saw Democrats reflection of the political undercurrents in this part of Iowa. retake control of the House of Representatives reached the With her messaging, Hinson may be avoiding some of the shores of Dubuque. In Iowa’s First Congressional District, possible downside for the general election of aligning too which includes the city and county of Dubuque, two- closely with a polarizing figure such as President Trump. term incumbent Republican Rod Blum was defeated by This approach speaks to either party being able to secure Democrat Abby Finkenauer. Dubuque and Northeast Iowa in November. Indeed, the With her election, Finkenauer, First Congressional District has whose limited political resume been rated as a “toss-up” by consisted of being a two-term analysts. member of the Iowa House of President Trump’s success in Representatives, became the flipping Dubuque Republican for second youngest female member the first time since Eisenhower of Congress in history. Finkenauer will be a challenge to repeat, capitalized on an enthusiasm gap. but coming into 2020 the local While Blum and Finkenauer both economic picture in Dubuque call Dubuque home, Finkenauer bodes well for the president and carried the City of Dubuque. Republicans up for reelection Similar to national trends, while – including U.S. Senator Joni the Republican carried the rural Ernst. While experiencing a slight precincts, the urban/suburban uptick near the end of the year, advantage held by the Democrats Dubuque’s unemployment is still in 2018 was too much to overcome. below the national rate. And in a Facing her first reelection recent survey of local employers, contest, Finkenauer is a target for Christopher B. Budzisz 60 percent of companies surveyed Republicans. The Republican indicated they intend to add challenging Finkenauer is almost net new jobs in the coming 12 certain to be Ashley Hinson. A months. While there are many The local economic familiar face for voters here, positive economic indicators, the picture in Dubuque bodes ongoing trade conflict with China Hinson is a former local television news anchor and reporter. She and concerns over the global well for the president and is in her second term in the Iowa economy linger with major local Republicans up for House of Representatives, and employers such as John Deere. has demonstrated strength in reelection. The importance of exports for Iowa fundraising. Thus far, Hinson’s has been reflected in the rhetoric campaign has concentrated on the and focus of political leaders familiar theme of a broken Washington system that focuses here. President Trump’s own remarks have stressed the more on partisan politics than policy outcomes beneficial to importance to Iowa of the recently signed USMCA and the places such as Dubuque. phase one agreement with China (as well as the agriculture Her talking points often note the need for bipartisan subsidies provided by the administration). efforts, of practicality and pragmatism, and while she has The polarization in national politics is certainly on certainly voiced support for President Trump’s reelection display here in Dubuque. Discussions of impeachment efforts, it would be a gross mischaracterization to claim she have largely reflected the pre-formed and partisan positions is running as a Trump acolyte. Her muted tone regarding held by people before the House vote and Senate trial. And the president, and on topics such as impeachment, may be a the attention of Dubuque voters was also often drawn away 14
RIPON FORUM February 2020
