In what was clearly one of the most shocking polls to come out of Iowa this year, a New York Times/Siena College survey released over the weekend showed Democrat Cindy Axne leading Republican Rep. David Young by 43 to 41 percent in the Des Moines-based 3rd District.
The results were particularly surprising, local sources told Newsmax, because Axne, co-owner of a digital company and first-time candidate, had been expected to lose the Democratic primary this summer. But then the expected nominee was forced to drop out at the last minute and, with help from EMILY’s List and other left-of-center groups, Axne emerged as a top contender.
Of Axne’s front-runner status in the polls, Des Moines attorney Patrick Hopkins, an interested observer in Hawkeye State politics, told Newsmax “this probably reflects that she is spending heavily on television—much more so than Young. What is notable about this race is that she has spent a boatload of money to date and it doesn’t look as though it is abating in any way.” (Axne has repeatedly insisted she is not accepting money from corporate political action committees).
The 3rd District includes Polk County (Des Moines), which is heavily Democratic and fifteen other counties — all of which except Pottawamie (Council Bluffs) are strongly Republican.
Young, who was top aide to Sen. Charles Grassley, R.-Iowa, before his election to Congress in ’16, visits every county in his district at least once a month.
“No Member of Congress works harder than David,” Kim Schmett, former Polk County GOP chairman, told us, “But there has been an increase in Democratic registration since the last election. How suburban women vote may determine the outcome. I anticipate David will prevail.”
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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