Vance Blasts Democrats as ‘Lunatics,’ Promotes Iowa Republicans at Council Bluffs Rally/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Vice President JD Vance defended the Trump administration and promoted Republican candidates during a campaign rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Vance described Democrats as “lunatics,” criticized gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand and praised Republican candidate Zach Lahn. The visit comes as Iowa hosts competitive races for governor and the U.S. Senate, along with several closely watched House contests.
Quick Look
- Vance spoke Friday at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.
- He promoted Republican gubernatorial nominee Zach Lahn.
- Vance described Democrats as the party of “lunatics.”
- He criticized Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand.
- Republican Senate nominee Ashley Hinson did not attend.
- Hinson’s campaign cited previously scheduled events.
- Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek represents the Council Bluffs area.
- Vance highlighted immigration, jobs, taxes, prescription drugs and agriculture.
- Two Iowa Republicans recently voted to halt U.S. military action in Iran.
- Democrats portrayed the visit as evidence that Iowa Republicans face difficult races.
Deep Look
Vance campaigns for Iowa Republicans
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Vice President JD Vance delivered a forceful defense of President Donald Trump’s administration and Iowa Republican candidates during a Friday rally in a state with competitive races for governor and the U.S. Senate.
Speaking at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Vance sought to frame the midterm elections as a national choice between the Trump administration’s agenda and Democratic policies.
He described Democrats as the party of “lunatics” and referenced Democratic candidates in Kansas, Texas and New York while promoting Iowa’s Republican ticket.
The approach contrasted with Iowa Democrats’ effort to focus their campaigns on state and local concerns.
Vance’s appearance marked his second trip to Iowa as vice president and highlighted the state’s growing importance in the midterm campaign.
Vance targets Rob Sand
Vance directed some of his strongest criticism toward Rob Sand, the Democratic nominee for governor.
Sand, Iowa’s state auditor, has presented himself as a moderate focused on government accountability and state issues. Vance rejected that characterization and called him a “career politician.”
“Let’s send the crazy packing and get them out of Washington, D.C., and get them out of Des Moines,” Vance told the crowd.
The statement was part of his argument that Iowa voters should elect Republicans at the state and federal levels.
Sand is running against Republican nominee Zach Lahn in a race attracting national attention because Iowa has traditionally favored Republicans but has become more competitive this election cycle.
Zach Lahn appears alongside vice president
Lahn campaigned with Vance and received extensive praise from the vice president.
The Republican nominee is competing to succeed Iowa’s current governor in an open race. His contest against Sand is one of two major statewide elections on the November ballot.
Vance used the rally to connect Lahn with the Trump administration’s national agenda while criticizing Sand’s political record and moderate image.
The governor’s contest was set after Lahn won the Republican primary and Sand secured the Democratic nomination.
Ashley Hinson absent from rally
Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, the party’s Senate nominee, did not attend Friday’s event.
Her campaign said previously scheduled commitments prevented her from appearing.
Hinson is running against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek for an open Senate seat. Control of the chamber could depend on a small number of competitive races, increasing national interest in Iowa.
Council Bluffs is part of the area Turek represents in the state legislature, giving the Democratic candidate a local connection to the rally’s location.
Turek responds to Vance’s visit
Turek used Vance’s appearance in a fundraising appeal released before the rally.
“It’s no mystery why Vance is here,” Turek wrote. “It’s because his billionaire bosses are terrified that their grip over Iowa is slipping — and with it, their narrow Senate majority.”
The statement reflects the Democratic campaign’s effort to portray the Republican ticket as aligned with national political and financial interests rather than Iowa voters.
Republicans counter that Vance’s appearance allows candidates to highlight the administration’s policies and encourage turnout among conservative voters.
Vance highlights Trump administration policies
Vance credited the administration with job growth and received applause when discussing immigration enforcement and border security.
He also highlighted efforts to obtain “most favored nation” prescription-drug pricing. That policy seeks to connect certain U.S. medication prices to lower prices available in other developed countries.
The vice president promoted tax provisions affecting tips and overtime pay and said the administration was protecting Social Security.
Those issues are central to Republican midterm messaging as voters continue to express concern about living costs, fuel prices and inflation.
Agriculture takes center stage
Vance tailored part of his address to Iowa’s agriculture-dependent economy.
He said he was perhaps “most proud of what we’ve been able to do for Iowa farmers.”
The vice president pointed to administration efforts to expand foreign markets for food produced by American farmers.
Trade policy remains particularly important in Iowa because changes to tariffs, foreign market access and agricultural purchases can directly affect crop and livestock prices.
Vance encouraged voters to allow the administration more time to deliver economic results.
“Whenever you hear me talk during this midterm campaign, I’ll say Rome was not built in a day because we know there’s a lot of work to do,” Vance said.
Iran war creates complications for Iowa Republicans
Vance’s Iowa appearance came days after Republican Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks supported a symbolic House measure seeking to halt the war in Iran.
Both lawmakers represent competitive districts and had previously opposed similar efforts.
Their votes showed divisions within the Republican Party over the duration, legal authority and domestic effects of the conflict.
Higher fuel prices and public dissatisfaction with the war have complicated the campaigns of Republicans who otherwise support much of Trump’s agenda.
Nunn and Miller-Meeks cited concerns about the continuing conflict when they voted for the war-powers resolution.
Vance expands national campaign role
Vance has become one of the Trump administration’s most visible campaign representatives.
In addition to his Iowa visits, he has traveled to Kansas, Wisconsin and Ohio to support Republican candidates and promote the administration’s record.
His first Iowa trip as vice president occurred in May, when he campaigned with Nunn, one of the party’s most vulnerable House incumbents.
Friday’s appearance demonstrated Vance’s role in connecting local Republican campaigns to the White House’s national political message.
Open House seat in 4th District
The rally was held in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, represented by Republican Randy Feenstra.
Feenstra is leaving Congress after unsuccessfully seeking the Republican nomination for governor. Republican Chris McGowan and Democrat Dave Dawson are competing to replace him.
The district is not considered among Iowa’s most competitive House races, but the rally gave Republicans an opportunity to promote candidates across the ticket.
Other Iowa congressional contests are expected to receive greater national attention because of the parties’ narrow margins in the House.
Democrats criticize Vance’s appearance
Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Vance’s visit indicated that Iowa Republicans were facing political difficulties.
“Iowans have had enough of their D.C.-first, Iowa-last priorities and will hold them all accountable for their agenda that’s caused skyrocketing prices at the pump, grocery stores, and doctor’s office,” Smith said.
That represents the Democratic campaign committee’s characterization of Republican policies. Republicans argue that the Trump administration’s tax, trade, immigration and energy policies will improve economic conditions.
The competing claims are likely to remain central as Iowa voters select a governor, senator and congressional delegation in November.
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