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Iowa Republicans in Disarray, Already Auditioning for 2012 Caucus

Contact:  Brooke Borkenhagen, Press Secretary   515-244-7292 Ext 680 (office)  

Iowa Republicans in Disarray, Already Auditioning for 2012 Caucus

 
Des Moines – The Republican Party of Iowa shifts gears this weekend to the 2012 Iowa Caucus by welcoming Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich back to the state. 

“We congratulate Iowa Republicans on holding their first open casting call of the 2012 caucus season at their state convention,” said Brooke Borkenhagen, Press Secretary for the Iowa Democratic Party.  “Coming off an abysmal primary turnout and failing to unite behind a nominee for the United States Senate, it seems that Iowa Republicans are lacking enthusiasm for their party and their candidates.”

Iowa GOP leaders are troubled by the low voter turnout in the Iowa Republican primary, according to the Des Moines Register.  Although the Iowa GOP had the advantage of a contested statewide primary, approximately 23,500 more Democrats came out to voice their support for Democratic candidates on June 3.  The Iowa GOP even lost 14,000 primary voters from the uncontested statewide primary of 2006.  [Des Moines Register, 6/5/08]

The Republican Party of Iowa is also having trouble getting behind a nominee for the United States Senate.  Tensions flared last Friday when Republican Senate candidate George Eichhorn’s campaign threatened to file an injunction to prevent Iowa Public Television from airing an interview with Christopher Reed, the winner of the June 3 primary. 

“Iowa Republicans are in disarray and party leaders are signaling that this will be a rebuilding year,” added Borkenhagen.