IowaPolitics.com Election Blog

No recourse for Woodbury County voters who got wrong ballots

2008-11-05T17:14:00.001-06:00

There's little recourse for the estimated 100 Woodbury County residents who received the wrong House district ballot inside their absentee ballot envelope, Deputy Secretary of State Linda Langenberg said today.

"Not at this point," she said, noting that the ballots would have been sorted by precinct, mingled and taken out of the affidavit envelope. "Once it's out of that envelope, there's no way of knowing whose ballot it is."

A new law requiring absentee ballots to be sorted by precinct helped to cause the problem with the wrong ballots, Langenberg said. The law meant that a satellite voting station could have 140 different ballot styles and would have to figure out the correct one for each voter. Langenberg said none of those votes in House races where voters got the wrong ballot can be counted.

About 1,500 absentee ballots were being counted this afternoon in Woodbury County, where at least one legislative race still hangs in the balance. The board met at noon and as of 3:45 p.m., neither Langenberg nor the Republican or Democratic leadership knew the results of that count. A follow-up call to Woodbury County Auditor Patrick Gill was not returned.

Still undetermined was the race between incumbent state Rep. Wes Whitead, D-Sioux City, and Republican challenger Jeremy Taylor in House District 1. Whitead was six votes ahead before the final tally of absentee ballots.

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Iowa sets record for number, but not percentage, of voters

2008-11-05T16:12:00.001-06:00

Iowa appears to have set a record for the number of voters in the 2008 general election but not the percentage who turned out, according to adjusted numbers from the Iowa secretary of state's office.

New numbers show a turnout of 1.52 million voters -- about 70.8 percent of the 2.15 million registered to vote when the polls opened. That's more voters than the 1.51 million who voted in 2004, but a smaller percentage than the 72 percent who participated four years ago.

Iowa's record for voter turnout was set in 1992, when 80 percent of registered voters turned out to vote. However, there were fewer people registered at that time.

This morning's numbers were adjusted because Polk County's vote counts were accidentally counted twice in the secretary of state's unofficial tally. An official count has yet to be released.

For results, go to: http://www.iowaelectionresults.gov/

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

UI: Democratic contract never trailed on University of Iowa's prediction market

2008-11-05T15:22:00.000-06:00

Traders on the University of Iowa's Iowa Electronic Markets (IEM) predicted from the start that the Democratic nominee for president would be the likely winner of the 2008 popular vote.

Their foresight proved accurate Tuesday, as Barack Obama was elected president and the Democratic contract on the IEM's Winner Take All market paid $1.

Since the Winner Take All market opened in June 2006, the Democratic contract never once dropped in value below the Republican contract.

As of midnight Central Time Monday, 439,431 contracts had been traded on the Winner Take All market since the market opened, for a total value of $204,536. The normalized prices at midnight the day before the election, which are used to determine the market's predictive capability, indicated a 90 percent probability that the Democratic candidate would win the popular vote.

Read more about the IEM and this election

Gronstal expects new leadership for state GOP

2008-11-05T11:29:00.000-06:00

New leadership may be in the works for Iowa Republicans following last night's failure to regain control of the Iowa Legislature, according to a top legislative Democrat.

"The Republican Party is expected to name a new state chair," Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said this morning during a live online chat on DesMoinesRegister.com. "And my Republican sources are saying that Senator Wieck, the Senate Minority leader, and Rep. Rants, the House Minority Leader, will face leadership challenges after losing seats last night."

Rants declined to discuss his own fate, but said: "I think our party needs to continually re-evaluate how we approach elections and the early voting. The election day has stretched from 24 hours to 24 days. I will credit the Democrats in their ability to get low propensity voters in the bank before they turn loose the negative ads. The R's have to find a way to replicate it. We've prided ourselves for too long on a 72-hour turnout program, that wins on election day, but doesn't bank enough votes beforehand."

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

House: Dems up 55-44 with one race outstanding

2008-11-05T11:09:00.000-06:00

Iowa legislative leaders confirmed this morning that Democrats held the majority in the Iowa House 55-44, with at least one race in Sioux City yet to be settled with the counting of absentee ballots, and up to three recounts in races won by razor-thin margins.

The recounts are expected in Iowa House races, including two where the margin was razor-thin and one where 1,500 ballots have yet to be counted.

A recount is expected in House District 8, where longtime state Rep. Dolores Mertz, D-Ottosen, who is seeking her 10th term in the Iowa House, is leading Republican Stephen Richards of Algona by 42 votes. Republicans are expected to request the recount after the county has its canvass.

Another recount is expected in House District 37, where Republican Renee Schulte defeated Democratic state Rep. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids by 47 votes.

The race yet to be finalized in Woodbury County is House District 1, where incumbent Rep. Wes Whitead, D-Sioux City, was six votes ahead of Republican challenger Jeremy Taylor before the final tally of absentee ballots.

Woodbury County Auditor Patrick Gill said 1,500 ballots cast at a satellite voting station the day before Election Day have yet to be counted.

In addition, about 100 absentee ballots mailed to people in Woodbury County's five legislative districts had the wrong House district ballot inside the envelope. Gill said this was not discovered until the ballots were counted. He said the small number was among 17,000 ballots and would account for less than 30 ballots per House district.

"That's not a good thing," he said.

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Dems say they gained one to three seats in House

2008-11-05T02:47:00.002-06:00

Democratic leaders said after 1 a.m. that they've picked up at least one seat in the Iowa House and now have a 54-44 advantage, with the potential of retaining two Sioux City seats that they said are still too close to call until the Woodbury County auditor completes counting absentee ballots on Wednesday morning.

A call to House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, was not returned.

Meanwhile, at least two Democratic incumbents and three Republican incumbents were defeated:

* State Rep. Jamie Van Fossen, R-Davenport, the once-prominent chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, was defeated by Democrat Phyllis Thede by 1,761 votes -- 56 to 44 percent. The race was tied until absentee ballots were counted.

* State. Rep. Dan Rasmussen, R-Independence, was defeated by Democrat Gene Ficken of Independence, 53 to 47 percent.

* State Rep. Tami Wiencek, R-Waterloo, the former TV anchor, was defeated by former University of Iowa football player Kerry Burt by 147 votes. This seat was reclaimed by Democrats; it was formerly held by longtime legislator Don Shoultz.

* Freshman state Rep. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids, was defeated by Republican Renee Schulte by just 47 votes in House District 37.

* Rep. Mark Davitt, D-Indianola, was defeated by 169 votes by Republican Ken Sorenson in House District 74.

While AP results initially showed that Democratic Rep. Elesha Gayman of Davenport was defeated, a final tally with absentee votes showed she won by 796 votes against Republican Ross Paustian of Walcott in House District 84, a margin of 52.5 to 47.5 percent.

"We are humbled by the victories Iowans have given us tonight," said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines. "These have been hard-fought races and our congratulations and thanks go out to all who participated. It is clear from the results that Iowans want us to continue to focus on the bread-and-butter issues that really matter in their lives and we will do so in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible manner."

House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, said middle-class families in Iowa will benefit the most from the wins made by House Democrats tonight. "Iowans can trust us to keep the state's fiscal house in order with a balanced budget and strong reserves while providing more economic security for Iowans through good-paying jobs, a world class education, expanded renewable energy and affordable health care," he said.

The races that Democrats say are still too close to call are in House District 1, where incumbent Rep. Wes Whitead, D-Sioux City, was tied at 50 percent with Republican challenger Jeremy Taylor. Whitead was six votes ahead before the final tally of absentee ballots.

House Democrats were also calling the race between incumbent Rep. Roger Wendt, D-Sioux City, and Republican challenger Rick Bertrand in House District 2 too close to call. Wendt was 191 votes ahead of Bertrand, 51 to 49 percent, before absentee ballots.

In other close races, Republican Nick Wagner defeated Democrat Gretchen Lawyer, 55.5 to 44.5 percent, in the competitive open race to replace state Rep. Swati Dandekar in House District 36. Democratic Rep. Eric Palmer of Oskaloosa won in his rematch against former House assistant Republican leader Danny Carroll of Grinnell, 54 to 46 percent.

With this new House tally, it appears that at least five incumbents in the House (three Republicans, two Democrats) and three in the Senate (one Republican, two Democrats) have been unseated. That number could change with Woodbury County's final tally Wednesday morning, and with possible recounts.

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Iowans send all incumbents back to Congress

2008-11-05T02:23:00.000-06:00

In a switch from the last congressional election, Iowans went to the polls Tuesday and re-elected all six of their incumbent congressmen, sending Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin to another term and keeping the margin in the U.S. House at three Democrats and two Republicans.

The votes to keep the incumbents in office meant that it will be at least another two years before Iowa elects its first congresswoman. Dem challenger Becky Greenwald and GOP challenger Mariannette Miler-Meeks both lost their races and missed their chances to make Iowa history.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, who picked up key support in Johnson County two years ago to defeat 30-year Republican incumbent Jim Leach, held on to office in his first re-election battle. He defeated Miller-Meeks, who could not overcome the significant voter turnout in the Iowa City/Coralville area.

Loebsack garnered 57 percent of the vote Tuesday to defeat Miller-Meeks, who was one of two congressional challengers fighting to become the first female elected to Congress. Miller-Meeks said she was caught up in a Democratic wave that began in 2006 and carried into the ballot boxes on Tuesday.

"I think we were positive and focused on the issues, and we came up short," Miller-Meeks said.

U.S. Rep. Steve King, acknowledged that Democratic wave as he discussed how he and 4th District Republican incumbent Tom Latham managed to hold their seats. Latham told supporters his campaign ran its race as if it were 10 points down throughout the general election process. Latham beat Democratic challenger Greenwald with 60 percent of the vote.

"Tom Latham and I swam against the tide," King said. In his fourth election, King accomplished a first in his congressional bids -- he won all 32 counties. "It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Our goal really was shooting for 60 percent and winning all 32 counties."

U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell's race was the closest one of the night, but he still won easily. Boswell held off GOP challenger Kim Schmett in the 3rd District in capturing 56 percent of the vote.

"We've got a long list of things to do and we are going to get a lot done in the next two years," he said. "And in answer to the question that I am always asked: Yes -- without hesitation -- I will run again."

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a first-term Democrat, won re-election Tuesday by defeating GOP state Sen. Dave Hartsuch with 64 percent of the vote. Republican insiders said Hartsuch lacked the campaign money, staff, infrastructure and party support to ever launch a legitimate challenge.

"He didn't have the money, staff, infrastructure or party support," a GOP insider said. "He didn't have a chance the day he filed his papers."

The sixth Iowa incumbent to claim victory Tuesday was long-time Democratic lawmaker U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin. He defeated GOP challenger Christopher Reed by a 62 percent to 38 percent margin.

"I just wanted to say .... I'm Tom Harkin and I approve this election for a fifth term in the United States Senate," Harkin said. "Indeed, this is a historic night for Iowa ... and it looks like it will be for our nation, as well.

My fellow Iowans, you have spoken. You have turned out in record numbers and you have once again placed your trust in me. For that, I am eternally grateful, humbled ... and ready to get back to work with a new president and a new congress focused on new priorities to bring our country together."

-- By Chris Dorsey, IowaPolitics.com

King not thrilled with national Dem gains

2008-11-05T01:49:00.001-06:00

As Republicans lost congressional seats across the nation, U.S. Rep. Steve King has a guess about what is to come under an administration led by president-elect Barack Obama and a Dem-controlled Congress.

"It will be a San Francisco agenda on steroids," King said of the proposals he expects from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

King said he fears a newly elected President Obama holding closed-door meetings with Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to set forth policies that could cause hardships for Americans.

The outspoken GOP congressman said he will push for more transparency in American government. Another initiative he said he will push for is a fair tax, in which Americans are taxed on consumption and not productivity.

Democratic 5th District challenger Rob Hubler summarized his loss to King in one word -- money.

"Politics is predicated on the amount of money you raise and spend," he said.

Hubler said he was outspent 2-to-1 by King during the campaign, and noted candidates in rural districts are at an disadvantage when it comes to receiving campaign funds from national groups.

"The real emphasis is where can you put the money and get instant gratification," Hubler said. "We could not get that message out there."

Hubler praised the campaign he and his team ran against King, who was elected to Congress in 2002. He added the team he put together could be a strong conduit for future Democratic candidates who run in the Republican stronghold.

-- By Chris Dorsey, IowaPolitics.com

Gronstal: Dems to retain control of Legislature

2008-11-05T01:08:00.001-06:00

Democrats have retained control of the Iowa Legislature, while Associated Press results show at least three Iowa Senate incumbents -- two Democrats and one Republican -- appear to have lost their bids for re-election.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs said Democrats have won 53 seats in the House, and could get up to 56. They currently hold a 53-47 majority in the House.

Meanwhile, he predicted that Democrats will increase their advantage in the Senate to 32 or 33 seats, although some races are very close and may involve recounts. Democrats currently have a 30-20 advantage.

"We're pretty confident as we said from the start that we're going to be at a new record in the Iowa Senate," Gronstal said.

Three incumbents have been upset, according to unofficial results from the Associated Press:

* Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco, a Realtor and certified residential appraiser, defeated incumbent state Rep. Mark Zieman, R-Postville, by 52 to 48 percent in Senate District 8.

* State Sen. Frank Wood, D-Eldridge, was defeated by 1,329 votes in Senate District 42 by Republican challenger Shawn Hamerlinck.

* Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, in Senate District 10 lost his re-election by just 90 votes to Republican Walt Rogers. This is one of the close races that Gronstal predicted a recount.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Swati Dandekar won her race for Senate District 18, which is being vacated by former Republican leader Mary Lundby. She defeated Republican Joe Childers, 54 to 46 percent. She had a tremendous cash advantage and was aided by out-of-state contributions.

Democrat Steve Sodders of State Center defeated Republican Jarret Heil, 55 to 45 percent, in Senate District 22. And former state Sen. Merlin Bartz, a Grafton Republican, will make a comeback to the Iowa Senate in District 6. He defeated Democrat Doug Thompson, 49 to 43 percent.

As for the big picture on whether an increased margin in the Senate would make a difference, Gronstal said: "Expanding our numbers in the Senate is a sign that some of the politically tough times that we've had to deal with, like the smoking ban and making significant investments that do involve spending more money in higher education and teacher pay ... expanding our majority is a sign that the public feels those were good things that we did. We are on the right track."

In the tied House race between state Rep. Jamie Van Fossen and Democratic challenger Phyllis Thede, Gronstal said absentee ballots have yet to be counted. And Democrats have been ahead in the race for early ballots. "That plays to our advantage," he said.

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Photos from the Des Moines parties

2008-11-05T00:19:00.001-06:00

See more IowaPolitics.com photos

Democratic Party's gathering

Republican Party's gathering

Iowa House control still undecided

2008-11-05T00:07:00.001-06:00

Control of the Iowa House still remained largely undecided at 11:30 p.m. with one vote, 50 votes and 99 votes separating candidates in some legislative races. At least one Democratic incumbent had been upset.

Iowa House Democratic leaders decided to forego the celebration at the Hotel Fort Des Moines and were instead in the office crunching numbers. Spokesman Dean Fihr said they did not have a good sense on the big picture yet on whether Democrats retained control of the Iowa House.

"It's going to be a late night," he said.

Democratic Rep. Elesha Gayman of Davenport, a freshman who initially won her election to House District 84 by a very narrow margin, was defeated tonight by Republican Ross Paustian of Walcott, a fifth-generation crop and livestock farmer. The vote was 54 to 46 percent.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Jamie Van Fossen of Davenport, the former House Ways and Means chairman who is seeking his eighth term to House District 81, was tied with Democrat Phyllis Thede of Bettendorf. Both had 50 percent of the vote -- Van Fossen with 3,944 votes and Thede with 3,945 votes with nine out of 10 precincts reporting.

Other results from the Associated Press show:

-- Democrat Gretchen Lawyer was ahead of Republican Nick Wagner in the competitive open race to replace state Rep. Swati Dandekar in House District 36. But only 50 votes separated them and only 7 out of 16 precincts had reported.

-- Republican Rep. Dan Rasmussen of Independence, who is seeking his fourth term in House District 23, was ahead of Democratic challenger Gene Ficken of Independence by just 99 votes with 20 out of 21 precincts reporting.

-- Republican Rep. Tami Wiencek of Waterloo fended off a challenge from Democrat Kerry Burt, 54 to 46 percent, in House District 21.

-- Democratic Rep. Art Staed of Cedar Rapids, who is serving his first term in House District 37, was ahead of Renee Schulte of Cedar Rapids, 54 to 46 percent, but only 5 out of 11 precincts had reported.

-- Democratic Rep. Eric Palmer of Oskaloosa appeared to be ahead in the rematch against former House assistant Republican leader Danny Carroll of Grinnell, 57 to 43 percent, but only 7 out of 14 precincts were in.

-- Democratic Rep. Paul Shomshor of Council Bluffs won re-election over his Republican opponent Scott Belt, 52 to 48 percent, in House District 100.

-- Democratic Rep. McKinley Bailey held off a challenge by Republican Jamie Johnson in House District 9, 55 to 45 percent.

-- Democrat Sharon Steckman, a retired teacher, defeated Republican City Councilman Scott Tornquist for an open House seat, 57 to 43 percent in House District 13. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Bill Schickel, who's retiring.

Meanwhile, Iowa Republicans had abandoned the party at the downtown Marriott by about 11 p.m. Iowa Democrats also left the party at the Hotel Fort Des Moines shortly after Barack Obama gave his victory speech.

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Culver looking forward to working with President Obama

2008-11-04T23:20:00.000-06:00

Gov. Chet Culver, who was invited to attend President-elect Obama's event tonight in Chicago, congratulated President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on their victory in this historic election.

"Both President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden have strong ties to Iowa, and I look forward to working with them and their transition team in the days ahead to ensure the hopes, dreams, and concerns of Iowans are front and center as the new administration takes shape," Culver said in a press release. "Because Iowa's concerns truly are national concerns, I stand ready to work together with our next president and vice president to help take our country in a new direction, of opportunity for all Iowans and all Americans."

Culver said Obama's emphasis on renewable energy will help create even more 'green jobs' in Iowa so the state can be less dependent on foreign oil. Culver also congratulated U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and members of the congressional delegation.

"Ten months ago yesterday, the journey we celebrate tonight began on a cold winter night in Iowa," Culver said, referring to the Iowa caucuses in January. "All of the candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, who competed in the Iowa caucuses deserve our appreciation, as do the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who took part in the first step in the road to the White House. Today, in what appears to be a near-record voter turnout, Iowans showed that our system works and that the American dream is alive and well in our state."

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Latham wins in 4th CD

2008-11-04T23:11:00.001-06:00

With nearly 60 percent of the vote tallied, incumbent Fourth District Congressman Tom Latham has fended off Democratic challenger Becky Greenwald. Latham thanked his staff, supporters and county chairs just after 10:30 p.m. in Ames.

"This campaign was run like we were 10 points behind the whole time," Latham said with his family joining him on stage.

With 85 percent of the precincts reporting, Latham held a 60-40 advantage over Greenwald.

In her speech, Greenwald thanked Latham for a hard-fought campaign, and added she hopes that the Iowa delegation will work with President Obama to make a change for working families.

-- By Chris Dorsey, IowaPolitics.com

Iverson looks ahead to next election cycles

2008-11-04T23:08:00.000-06:00

Just before Barack Obama took the stage in Chicago to give his victory speech, Stewart Iverson, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, tried his best to cheer the crowd up at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines. He told fellow Republicans to look ahead to the governor's race in 2010 and the next presidential election in 2012.

"The biggest thing is we've got to keep the faith, we've got to keep going," Iverson said. "We've got another election two years from now and four years from now. We've got to have the passion, we've got to have the desire because if you don't have the desire you're not going to be successful. It didn't gel, but you know what, there's always tomorrow, and if we give up on thinking for tomorrow and voting for tomorrow, then we've lost."

-- By Andrew Duffelmeyer, IowaPolitics.com

Boswell: 'Long list of things to do'

2008-11-04T23:06:00.001-06:00

After a prolonged celebration of chants and general jubilation, Iowa Democrats settled long enough to hear briefly from the newly re-elected Congressman Leonard Boswell.

"I've always been an optomist and tonight we have seen it -- yes we can do it," Boswell shouted to the throng of supporters.

Boswell was the last elected official slated to address the gathering downtown tonight, and he assured those in attendance he was just as energized as those in the room, and across the country.

"We've got a long list of things to do and we are going to get a lot done in the next two years," he said. "And in answer to the question that I am always asked: Yes -- without hesitation -- I will run again."

-- By Matt Clark, IowaPolitics.com

Despite loss, Roederer congratulates GOP troops for voter outreach

2008-11-04T23:03:00.001-06:00

Minutes after John McCain gave his concession speech, Dave Roederer, Iowa chairman of the McCain campaign, spoke to the crowd of GOP supporters gathered at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines.

"The outcomes aren't always as our desires, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the time and effort and the devotion that people put into this effort wasn't worth the time and the energy," Roederer said. "Sometimes it just doesn't come out the way we wanted. I personally thank, on behalf of all the Iowa campaign, Senator McCain and Governor Palin for keeping the faith alive and continuing to battle to the very end."

Roederer continued: "You may not realize this folks, but we set a record in this campaign. Throughout the state of Iowa we contacted more voters in this election than has ever been done in the history of this state. There was a record done four years ago and we broke that record by several thousand contacts. This was done by you folks, and I see many of you here who come in day in and day out. You did anything that was asked of you. Again, while results aren't as we would have like and certainly not what we were hoping for, I do want to thank you very very much for everything you have done."

Meanwhile, Republicans were still hopeful that they'd regain control of the Iowa House. Early in the evening, they had captured four open seats in the Des Moines metro area.

"Our goal is 51," said House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City. "I think we can get to 51. Looks like we're running strong tonight. We're heading to an age when Election Day isn't 24 hours. It's 24 days, and candidates are going to have to adjust to that."

Rants was trying to make the point that absentee ballots, as much as Election Day turnout, are becoming a very big part of Iowa elections.

-- By Andrew Duffelmeyer, IowaPolitics.com

CBS: Incumbents win in 4 of 5 U.S. House races; Latham leading in 4th CD

2008-11-04T22:43:00.000-06:00

CBS News has called four of Iowa's congressional races for the incumbents.

Only the race between U.S. Rep. Tom Latham and Democratic challenger Becky Greenwald hasn't been called. Latham is leading 61 percent to 39 percent, with 282 of 454 precincts reporting.

In the four other races, CBS called:
--U.S. Bruce Braley the winner over David Hartsuch, 64 to 36 percent.
--U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack the winner over Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 59 to 37 percent.
--U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell the winner over Republican Kim Schmett, 56 to 42 percent.
--U.S. Rep. Steve King the winner over Rob Hubler, 62 to 36 percent.

The vote totals are not yet final in any of the races.

See the CBS results

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Obama's vote margin so far

2008-11-04T22:42:00.000-06:00

With 72 percent of Iowa precincts reporting, the Associated Press is reporting Democrat Barack Obama's lead over Republican John McCain in Iowa as 54 percent to 45 percent.

That's 580,119 votes to 489,521 votes -- the widest margin in Iowa in the past eight years.

-- Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Exit poll: 61 percent of Iowans saw economy as most important issue

2008-11-04T22:29:00.000-06:00

An MSNBC exit poll of Iowa voters showed that 61 percent said the economy is the most important issue facing the nation, and 57 percent decided before September whom to vote for in the presidential election.

When asked what mattered most in their decision, 37 percent said they felt their choice for president could bring about needed change, while 29 percent said he shares my values. Fifty-one percent said they strongly disapproved of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president.

On the economy, 46 percent said the condition of the nation's economy is poor, while 44 percent said it is "not so good."

The exit poll showed that 70 percent of Iowa voters felt McCain attacked Obama unfairly, while only 52 percent felt that Obama attacked McCain unfairly.

Federal government subsidies for ethanol was not a big issue among voters. Forty-eight
percent said they only somewhat supported such subsidies, which were openly opposed by McCain.

A look at the demographic of Iowa voters showed:
-- 53 percent of them were women, while 47 percent were men.
-- 38 percent were between the ages of 45 and 64, while 27 percent were between the ages of 30 and 44.
-- 91 percent were white
-- 9 percent said they were first-time voters.

See details from the exit poll

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com

Disappointment at GOP's Des Moines party

2008-11-04T22:26:00.000-06:00

"Obviously we're still counting votes, but it's not looking good," said Dave Roederer, chairman of McCain's Iowa campaign, in reaction to Obama winning Iowa and the nation. "We're disappointed that Senator McCain doesn't appear to have won it. We felt we were doing pretty good until the economic tsunami hit and I think Republicans got wrongfully blamed for that."

Iowa Republicans at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines booed as U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin made his televised acceptance speech, just as the crowd surrounding John McCain did as he made his concession speech and said he called Obama to congratulate him.

The party of Iowa Republicans seemed to be dying down quite a bit after 10 p.m. and more drinks were evident.

-- By Andrew Duffelmeyer, IowaPolitics.com

Dems celebrate network's decision to call race for Obama

2008-11-04T22:11:00.000-06:00

The crowd at the Hotel Fort Des Moines has grown to an excess of 500, all of whom initiated a two-minute long string of applause, shouts, and hugs at the news of CNN projecting Obama to be the next president.

"I have never been more excited about anything political," Shanna Johnson, a Des Moines Obama support said. "We have come so far and this is only the beginning of really amazing things. America is changing. It's changing."

-- By Matt Clark, IowaPolitics.com

Networks declare Obama next president of United States

2008-11-04T22:03:00.001-06:00

Shortly after 10 p.m., as polls closed on the West Coast, the major TV networks declared the presidential race for Barack Obama.

Reed holds off on conceding

2008-11-04T22:01:00.000-06:00

Though media outlets have called U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin the winner for his U.S. Senate seat, his challenger Republican Christopher Reed wasn't quite ready to throw in the towel.

With 35 percent of the vote in, Harkin holds a 63-37 percent margin over Reed. However, the Reed campaign is awaiting returns from western Iowa and isn't ready to proclaim Harkin the winner.

-- By Chris Dorsey, IowaPolitics.com

Judge tells crowd of Culver's trip to Chicago

2008-11-04T21:53:00.000-06:00

Lt. Gov. Patty Judge announced that Gov. Chet Culver left Iowa earlier today to make it to Chicago for Barack Obama's victory celebration in Grant Park. She thanked everyone who worked to elect Democrats in the state, but quickly turned attention back to the presidential race.

"The real reason for feeling special tonight is the story of Barack Obama," Judge said.

Judge made reference to a pending "Obama landslide."

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller also addressed the crowd, taking a more humble tone than many of the other Obama supporters who continue to speak of their ever-present confidence.

"We hoped we'd get here, but really really didn't always know," Miller said.

Miller thanked everyone who participated in the caucuses -- particularly those who supported candidates other than Obama but have since thrown their support to the party's nominee.

"This is a textbook example of how people should unite," he said.

-- By Matt Clark, IowaPolitics.com

GOP takes four open House seats in Des Moines area

2008-11-04T21:45:00.002-06:00

Iowa Republicans won four open legislative seats in the Des Moines metro area.

In one of the heavily contested open seats of the Iowa House, Republican attorney Chris Hagenow defeated Windsor Heights Mayor Jerry Sullivan, a Democrat, by just 141 votes -- 8,192 to 8,051. That's 50.4 percent to 49.5 percent, with all precincts reporting in House District 59. The two previous office-holders in that seat were Republicans Dan Clute and Gene Maddox.

Another open seat put Republican Peter Cownie over Democrat Alan Koslow in House District 60 by a margin of 54 to 42 percent, with 11 out of 12 precincts reporting. That seat was vacated by Republican state Rep. Libby Jacobs.

In House District 69, Republican newcomer Erik Helland defeated Democrat Richard Sosalla. And in House District 70, Republican Kevin Koester defeated Democrat Matt Pfaltzgraf.

With 172 of 183 precincts counted, Polk County voters chose Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain, 56 to 42 percent.

Their votes also went to U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin over Republican challenger Christopher Reed, 62 to 38 percent; and to U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell over Republican challenger Kim Schmett, 57 to 41 percent.

Legislative incumbents Kevin McCarthy, Ako Abdul-Samad, Scott Raecker, Rick Olson, Janet Petersen, Brad Zaun, Pat Ward, Dick Dearden, Geri Huser, Jo Oldson, Wayne Ford and Bruce Hunter also won their bids for re-election.

See Polk County election results

-- By Lynn Campbell, IowaPolitics.com