DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic
primary rivals Leonard Boswell and Ed Fallon
have both focused their arguments on bringing
change in this year's election, making the case
to voters that they can offer a new direction.
"People are ready for change, we've
seen that in this presidential election and I'm
really seeing it in this election as well,"
said Fallon. "Folks are tired of a U.S.
Congress that goes along with George
Bush on the war, on anti-environmental
legislation, on the Patriot Act and so many
other initiatives that Democrats like
Congressman Boswell have supported."
Boswell, the six-term Congressman who
Fallon is challenging in the 3rd Congressional
District Democratic primary, says he, too, can
bring change -- and that his Washington
experience facilitates it.
"I know how
to work with people," said Boswell, seeking a
seventh term in Congress. "That's a major
contrast between me and my opponent, being able
to bring people together and get things done."
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Boswell, Fallon lead charge
Saturday, May 31, 2008(Associated Press)
Both Boswell and Fallon opened
the final weekend before Tuesday's primary
mingling with the crowds at Des Moines'
farmer's market, shaking hands and looking to
boost turnout in what many predict will be a
skimpy showing. The race in central Iowa's
3rd Congressional District was the most
competitive on the ballot for the primary
election.
Fallon served seven terms in the House before losing a Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2006. He made his name as a community activist before running for the Legislature.
Boswell was a career Army officer and served two terms in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot before returning to his southern Iowa farm. He was forced to move to Des Moines after the 2000 reapportionment. Fallon is the first primary challenge he's faced.
"I think we're winning," said Boswell, on the final weekend of the race. "I actually believe that I've done a good job. I've been in the minority for 10 of the 12 years and I've managed to get quite a few things done."
With few hot races on the primary ballot, most expect voter turnout to be relatively low.
"I don't think it's going to be anything spectacular," said Secretary of State Michael Mauro, pointing to a lack of hotly contested primary contests, with the Boswell-Fallon race heading the list. The winner of that contest will face Republican Kim Schmett in the fall, but will be the odds-on favorite to go to Congress.
The district, which includes Des Moines, has 152,362 registered Democrats, compared to 119,483 registered Republicans. Another 126,090 are registered without declaring a party preference.
At the top of the ticket, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin is unopposed for the Democratic nomination and a fifth term in the Senate. Three Republicans are fighting for the unenviable right to face him in the fall. Two of the three joined in a televised debate opening the final weekend, which focused on Immigration issues.
While former state legislator George Eichhorn sought to use his experience as a plus -- he's the only one of the three who has held elective office -- rival Christopher Reed sought to turn it against him, saying the state Legislature passed laws giving benefits to illegal aliens while Eichhorn was there.
"It was under Mr. Eichhorn's leadership that was passed," Reed said. Eichhorn shot back that he favored tough restrictions on illegal Immigration.
The third candidates, Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje, skipped the debates. He's raised more money than his GOP rivals, about $85,000, but that pales in the face of the $4.8 million Harkin has assembled.
"It is time for a new type of candidate to take on Harkin," Rathje said. "A candidate he is not well-rehearsed at beating. A businessman and a citizen."
In eastern Iowa's 2nd District, three Republicans are competing for the right to take on first-term Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack, who won his seat in 2006 by ousting 30-year Republican Rep. Jim Leach.
Four Democrats are competing to take on veteran Republican Rep. Tom Latham in northern Iowa's 4th District. There were also scattered legislative primaries as Democrats are girding to defend their majorities in both the House and Senate. They control the House on a 53-47 edge and the Senate by a 30-20 margin.
Fallon served seven terms in the House before losing a Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2006. He made his name as a community activist before running for the Legislature.
Boswell was a career Army officer and served two terms in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot before returning to his southern Iowa farm. He was forced to move to Des Moines after the 2000 reapportionment. Fallon is the first primary challenge he's faced.
"I think we're winning," said Boswell, on the final weekend of the race. "I actually believe that I've done a good job. I've been in the minority for 10 of the 12 years and I've managed to get quite a few things done."
With few hot races on the primary ballot, most expect voter turnout to be relatively low.
"I don't think it's going to be anything spectacular," said Secretary of State Michael Mauro, pointing to a lack of hotly contested primary contests, with the Boswell-Fallon race heading the list. The winner of that contest will face Republican Kim Schmett in the fall, but will be the odds-on favorite to go to Congress.
The district, which includes Des Moines, has 152,362 registered Democrats, compared to 119,483 registered Republicans. Another 126,090 are registered without declaring a party preference.
At the top of the ticket, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin is unopposed for the Democratic nomination and a fifth term in the Senate. Three Republicans are fighting for the unenviable right to face him in the fall. Two of the three joined in a televised debate opening the final weekend, which focused on Immigration issues.
While former state legislator George Eichhorn sought to use his experience as a plus -- he's the only one of the three who has held elective office -- rival Christopher Reed sought to turn it against him, saying the state Legislature passed laws giving benefits to illegal aliens while Eichhorn was there.
"It was under Mr. Eichhorn's leadership that was passed," Reed said. Eichhorn shot back that he favored tough restrictions on illegal Immigration.
The third candidates, Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje, skipped the debates. He's raised more money than his GOP rivals, about $85,000, but that pales in the face of the $4.8 million Harkin has assembled.
"It is time for a new type of candidate to take on Harkin," Rathje said. "A candidate he is not well-rehearsed at beating. A businessman and a citizen."
In eastern Iowa's 2nd District, three Republicans are competing for the right to take on first-term Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack, who won his seat in 2006 by ousting 30-year Republican Rep. Jim Leach.
Four Democrats are competing to take on veteran Republican Rep. Tom Latham in northern Iowa's 4th District. There were also scattered legislative primaries as Democrats are girding to defend their majorities in both the House and Senate. They control the House on a 53-47 edge and the Senate by a 30-20 margin.