“In 2008, Steve King beat Democrat
Rob Hubler 159,430 (60%) to 99,601 (37%). Considering this, one has to
admire the courage of the two 2010 challengers, just based on what they
will have to do to get their name out in front of people.”

What is baffling is that Iowa’s fifth congressional district elected a man whose response to fasting during the religious season of Lent was placed on his Twitter feed: “made weight so sat down to Easter dinner with family. Dropped 13 lbs during Lent. Clothes fit and my soul is improved. Happy Easter!” It seems to be all about Steve King instead of about the religious observance. I am happy that Representative King is body and soul better for the fasting. Also glad he will not need to be buying new clothes. He may need the money if one of his two challengers removes him from the U. S. House of Representatives this fall.

It can be argued that there is a lot of time and not enough time before the June Democratic primary between Mike Denklau and Matt Campbell, King’s challengers. While King has been focusing on himself, Campbell and Denklau have been busy campaigning. Denklau has been on the campaign trail longer and has picked up some endorsements. Campbell appears to be keeping a more rigorous schedule and is holding a large number of April meetings with citizens throughout the district. If the election is determined by the amount of shoe leather worn out, it appears that Campbell will have the edge. In any case, it will be an uphill climb for the winner of the primary.

According to the Secretary of State’s March report on voter registrations, Republicans have a 41,908 registration advantage on active registrations of 364,165. In 2008, Steve King beat Democrat Rob Hubler 159,430 (60%) to 99,601 (37%). Considering this, one has to admire the courage of the two 2010 challengers, just based on what they will have to do to get their name out in front of people. Defeating King will be partly about name recognition.

If the candidates have courage, another key consideration will be money. If we recall the King-Hubler match-up, Hubler’s television advertising started going off air well before the election and this was because of a lack of money. Without television advertising it is hard to compete in a general election in the 5th district. According to opensecrets.org, King spent $873,230 to Hubler’s $284,324, a ratio of 3:1. Denklau and Campbell will have to surpass King’s competent fund raising abilities which have garnered him cash on hand of $260,406 as of this writing.

There is a 59 day race in process to see whether Denklau or Campbell will be able to turn out the largest number of primary voters. Having a primary serves to activate the Democratic base earlier than without one so it is all good for Democrats. Mike Denklau or Matt Campbell will need our help after the primary. So pick one or both and send them a donation now if you are able. Support their efforts to raise awareness among 5th district Democrats that Steve King can be defeated.

~Paul
Deaton is a native Iowan living in rural Johnson County and weekend
editor of Blog for Iowa. He is also a member of Iowa Physicians for
Social Responsibility and Veterans for Peace. E-mail Paul
Deaton