Democrat Angel Ramirez defeated Republican Bernie Hayes in an Iowa special election for the State House, in what the Democratic Party hailed as a “clear rebuke of Trump.”
Ramirez secured 79 percent of the vote versus Hayes’ 21 percent, according to preliminary results for the state’s 78th district in Cedar Rapids.
But turnout was just 3,470, or 17.4 percent of registered voters in the district—down sharply from the 11,168 votes in 2024.
Safe blue seat in a state legislature. Yawn.
I don’t think it’s a clear rebuke of Trump when only 17% of the voting population participated. If anything, it’s a clear sign that if you can get more people out to vote for you in an off cycle, special election, which probably received little publicity, then you’ll probably win.
Had turn out been higher, I would be willing to bet that it wouldn’t have turned out as a win for the Democrats.
That all said, I’m glad Ramirez won.
Edit: Fixed a typo
Usually low turnout benefits the Republicans. This is potentially every Democrat coming out to vote against Trump while Republicans stayed home because they don’t like Trump anymore but can’t bring themselves to vote for a Democrat.
Didn’t you hear? Republicans don’t have to vote anymore. Their dear Orange Messiah told them they didn’t have to vote.
This was a safe democrat seat, Ramirez is replacing guy who was a union organizer before becoming a state senator. Cedar Rapids is a fairly liberal area, it’s one of 3 to 5 blue dots in Iowa every election. The other two being Iowa City and Des Moines.
This isn’t a clear rebuke of anything, of anything it’s an omen when so few people even bothered to vote.
One seat is promising. Doesn’t mean jack until 2026 though - call me then.
See? All you COMMIES saying Chuck Schumer and the DNC are STUPID for doing LITERALLY NOTHING WHILE TRUMP DEPORTS AMERICAN CITIZENS AND DESTROYS THE ECONOMY can go Cry as the Democrats continue WINNING ELECTIONS! And then doing NOTHING after they Win!
