2014 Iowa elections

Summary

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Iowa on November 4, 2014. All of Iowa's executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat, all four of Iowa's seats in the United States House of Representatives, 25 (half) of the seats in the Iowa Senate, and all 100 seats in the Iowa House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on June 3, 2014.[1]

2014 Iowa elections

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Governor and lieutenant governor edit

Incumbent Republican Governor Terry Branstad ran for re-election to a second consecutive and sixth overall term as governor.[2]

He was challenged in the Republican primary by Tom Hoefling, a political activist and the America's Party and American Independent Party nominee for President in 2012.[3]

State Senator Jack Hatch ran for the Democrats.[4]

In Iowa, nominees for lieutenant governor are chosen at party conventions. They then run on a ticket with the gubernatorial nominee. Incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds is running for re-election to a second term in office.[5]

Iowa gubernatorial election, 2014[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Terry Branstad/Kim Reynolds (incumbent) 666,023 59.0
Democratic Jack Hatch/Monica Vernon 420,778 37.3
Libertarian Lee Deakins Hieb/Tim Watson 20,319 1.8
New Independent Jim Hennager/Mary Krieg 10,582 0.9
Iowa Jonathan R. Narcisse/Michael Richards 10,239 0.9
n/a Write-ins 1,093 0.1
Total votes 1,129,034 100.0
Republican hold

Attorney General edit

Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller, who has served in the position since 1995, and previously from 1979 to 1991, ran for re-election to a sixth consecutive and ninth overall term in office.[7]

Attorney and lobbyist, and future Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, Adam Gregg ran for the Republican Party.[8]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tom
Miller (D)
Adam
Gregg (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 1,265 ± 2.8% 55% 36% 10%
Iowa Poll October 28–31, 2014 701 ± 3.7% 50% 39% 2% 9%
Suffolk University October 11–14, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 55% 31% 14%
Public Policy Polling September 25–28, 2014 1,192 ± 2.8% 53% 33% 14%
Suffolk August 23–26, 2014 500 ± 4% 48% 28% 24%
Public Policy Polling August 22–24, 2014 915 ± 3.2% 55% 31% 14%
Iowa Attorney General election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Miller (incumbent) 616,711 56.1
Republican Adam Gregg 481,046 43.8
n/a Write-ins 1,249 0.1
Total votes 1,099,006 100.0
Democratic hold

Secretary of State edit

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz, who has served in the position since 2011, did not run for re-election to a second term in office. He instead ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Iowa's 3rd congressional district.[9]

Former Republican secretary of state Paul Pate[10] and Democratic political consultant and former gubernatorial aide Brad Anderson are running.[11]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Paul
Pate (R)
Brad
Anderson (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 1,265 ± 2.8% 38% 44% 6%[12] 13%
Iowa Poll October 28–31, 2014 701 ± 3.7% 44% 41% 3% 12%
Loras College October 21–24, 2014 1,121 ± 2.93% 39% 40% 1% 20%
Gravis Marketing October 20–21, 2014 964 ± 3% 38% 42% 19%
Suffolk University October 11–14, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 33% 32% 4%[13] 32%
Gravis Marketing September 29–30, 2014 522 ± 4% 40% 40% 21%
Public Policy Polling September 25–28, 2014 1,192 ± 2.8% 36% 33% 6%[12] 25%
Suffolk August 23–26, 2014 500 ± 4% 31% 31% 4%[14] 33%
Public Policy Polling August 22–24, 2014 915 ± 3.2% 35% 34% 7%[15] 24%
Gravis Marketing July 17–18, 2014 1,179 ± 3% 38% 38% 24%
Public Policy Polling May 15–19, 2014 914 ± 3.3% 32% 34% 34%
Iowa Secretary of State election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Pate 529,275 48.5
Democratic Brad Anderson 509,202 46.6
Libertarian Jake Porter 32,889 1.8
New Independent Spencer Highland 19,945 1.8
n/a Write-ins 769 0.1
Total votes 1,092,080 100.0
Republican hold

Treasurer edit

Incumbent Democratic State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, who has served in the position since 1983, is running for re-election to a ninth term in office.

The Republican nominee is Sam Clovis, a radio host who finished second in the Senate primary, before being nominated as the Republican candidate for treasurer.[16][7]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Michael
Fitzgerald (D)
Sam
Clovis (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 1,265 ± 2.8% 48% 38% 5%[17] 8%
Loras College October 21–24, 2014 1,121 ± 2.93% 47% 35% 1% 17%
Gravis Marketing October 20–21, 2014 964 ± 3% 46% 33% 21%
Suffolk University October 11–14, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 47% 32% 3%[17] 19%
Gravis Marketing September 29–30, 2014 522 ± 4% 48% 32% 20%
Public Policy Polling September 25–28, 2014 1,192 ± 2.8% 47% 35% 5%[17] 13%
Suffolk August 23–26, 2014 500 ± 4% 41% 28% 2%[17] 29%
Public Policy Polling August 22–24, 2014 915 ± 3.2% 47% 33% 5%[17] 16%
Gravis Marketing July 17–18, 2014 1,179 ± 3% 50% 34% 17%
Iowa State Treasurer election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Fitzgerald (incumbent) 576,942 52.9
Republican Sam Clovis 476,633 43.7
Libertarian Keith Laube 36,945 3.4
n/a Write-ins 670 0.1
Total votes 1,091,190 100.0
Democratic hold

Auditor edit

Incumbent Republican State Auditor Mary Mosiman, who was appointed to the position in 2013 after incumbent state auditor David A. Vaudt resigned, is running for election to a first full term in office.[18]

Attorney and former Des Moines School Board member Jon Neiderbach is running for the Democrats.[19]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mary
Mosiman (R)
Jon
Neiderbach (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 1,265 ± 2.8% 46% 41% 14%
Loras College October 21–24, 2014 1,121 ± 2.93% 37% 30% 2% 30%
Suffolk University October 11–14, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 40% 35% 25%
Public Policy Polling September 25–28, 2014 1,192 ± 2.8% 41% 35% 24%
Suffolk August 23–26, 2014 500 ± 4% 32% 30% 39%
Public Policy Polling August 22–24, 2014 915 ± 3.2% 39% 35% 26%
Iowa State Auditor election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mary Mosiman (incumbent) 604,103 56.9
Democratic Jon Neiderbach 456,525 43.0
n/a Write-ins 1,477 0.1
Total votes 1,062,105 100.0
Republican hold

Secretary of Agriculture edit

Incumbent Republican Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, who has served in the position since 2007, is running for re-election to a third term in office.[20]

Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner Sherrie Taha is running for the Democrats.[21]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bill
Northey (R)
Sherrie
Taha (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 1,265 ± 2.8% 51% 33% 5%[22] 10%
Loras College October 21–24, 2014 1,121 ± 2.93% 49% 29% 2% 20%
Suffolk University October 11–14, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 52% 30% 2%[22] 16%
Public Policy Polling September 25–28, 2014 1,192 ± 2.8% 49% 29% 6%[22] 15%
Suffolk August 23–26, 2014 500 ± 4% 41% 28% 2%[22] 29%
Public Policy Polling August 22–24, 2014 915 ± 3.2% 46% 28% 6%[22] 19%
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Northey (incumbent) 675,781 62.2
Democratic Sherrie Taha 370,209 34.1
New Independent Levi Benning 39,349 3.6
n/a Write-ins 891 0.1
Total votes 1,086,230 100.0
Republican hold

United States Senate edit

Incumbent Democratic senator Tom Harkin is retired rather than run for re-election to a sixth term in office.[23]

U.S. Representative Bruce Braley was the only Democratic to file to run and thus the de facto nominee.[24]

Five Republicans filed to run: radio host Sam Clovis,[25] State Senator Joni Ernst,[26] former CEO of Reliant Energy Mark Jacobs,[27] businessman Scott Schaben[28] and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and nominee for Treasurer of Iowa in 2002 Matthew Whitaker.[29]

United States Senate election in Iowa, 2014[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joni Ernst 588,575 52.1
Democratic Bruce Braley 494,370 43.8
Independent Rick Stewart 26,815 2.4
Libertarian Douglas Butzier 8,232 0.7
Independent Bob Quast 5,873 0.5
Independent Ruth Smith 4,724 0.4
n/a Write-Ins 1,111 0.1
Total votes 1,129,700 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

United States House of Representatives edit

All of Iowa's four seats in the United States House of Representatives will be up for election in 2014 and are contested.

Iowa General Assembly edit

The 25 odd-numbered Iowa Senate seats are up for election in 2014, as are all 100 Iowa House seats. As of the primary filing deadline for the two major parties, there are 11 Senate seats and 58 House seats that only have candidates from one party, though several of these seats have contested primaries.[31] These numbers are from the primary election candidate listing,[32] so do not take into account candidates nominated by third parties, candidates nominated by petition, or candidates nominated by a major party after the primary. Such candidates file during the general election filing period, which runs from July 28 – August 15, 2014.[33]

References edit

  1. ^ "Branstad open to considering run-off election law change". The Gazette. November 18, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "Governor Terry Branstad announces gubernatorial run, tours Iowa". KWWL. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  3. ^ "HAYWORTH: Republican Hoefling aiming to challenge Branstad in 2014". Sioux City Journal. March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  4. ^ Noble, Jason (September 16, 2013). "State Sen. Jack Hatch officially enters 2014 race for Iowa governor". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  5. ^ "Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds expected to be No. 2 on GOP ticket". The Gazette. January 21, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  6. ^ "Iowa General Election 2014". Iowa Secretary of State. November 4, 2014. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Final Candidate Listing by Office" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  8. ^ "Lobbyist Adam Gregg to run for Iowa attorney general". The Des Moines Register. June 2, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  9. ^ Jacobs, Jennifer (January 9, 2014). "Elections chief Matt Schultz jumps into race for Congress". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  10. ^ "Paul Pate Announces Bid for Secretary of State". KCRG.com. January 9, 2014. Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  11. ^ "Democrat announces bid for Iowa secretary of state". WCF Courier. January 11, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  12. ^ a b Spencer Highland (NIP) 3%, Jake Porter (L) 3%
  13. ^ Spencer Highland (NIP) 2%, Jake Porter (L) 1%
  14. ^ Spencer Highland (NIP) 3%, Jake Porter (L) 1%
  15. ^ Spencer Highland (NIP) 5%, Jake Porter (L) 2%
  16. ^ "Sam Clovis dives into a last-minute bid for state treasurer". The Des Moines Register.
  17. ^ a b c d e Keith Laube (L)
  18. ^ Kevin Hall (May 13, 2013). "Branstad Names Mary Mosiman New State Auditor". The Iowa Republican. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  19. ^ Christinia Crippes (February 25, 2014). "Neiderbach vying for state Auditor". WCF Courier. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  20. ^ "AG SECRETARY: Northey Seeking Re-Election". whotv.com. March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  21. ^ O. Kay Henderson (August 27, 2013). "Des Moines Democrat running for state ag secretary". Radio Iowa. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  22. ^ a b c d e Levi Benning (NIP)
  23. ^ Ed O’Keefe (January 26, 2013). "Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) won't seek reelection". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  24. ^ Blake, Aaron (February 7, 2013). "Iowa Rep. Bruce Braley to run for Senate". The Fix. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  25. ^ Jacobs, Jennifer (June 10, 2013). "Sioux City radio host Sam Clovis joins U.S. Senate race". Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  26. ^ Jacobs, Jennifer (July 10, 2013). "Republican Joni Ernst joins U.S. Senate race". Archived from the original on July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  27. ^ Emily Cahn (November 13, 2013). "Iowa's GOP Senate Field Grows Again". Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  28. ^ Burns, Douglas (July 5, 2013). "Kuemper alum Schaben plans U.S. Senate bid". Daily Times Herald. Retrieved July 10, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ Trygstad, Kyle (May 7, 2013). "GOP Senate Candidate Announces in Iowa". Roll Call. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  30. ^ "Iowa secretary of State : Paul D. Pate : November 4, 2014 General Election". Electionresults.sos.iowa.gov. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  31. ^ Deeth, John (March 17, 2014). "Filing By The Numbers". John Deeth Blog. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  32. ^ Iowa Secretary of State's Office (March 26, 2014). "Final Candidate Listing By Office, June 3, 2014 Primary Election" (PDF). Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  33. ^ The Office of the Iowa Secretary of State. "Candidate's Guide to the General Election, November 4, 2014" (PDF). pp. 1–2. Retrieved April 3, 2014.