A powerful blizzard sweeping through Iowa Friday has disrupted campaign plans as candidates make their final pitches to voters ahead of Monday's caucuses. The inclement weather has led to event cancellations and a shift to alternative strategies, reported The Hill.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's campaign navigated challenging conditions by unveiling three telephone town halls in Webster, Plymouth, and Pottawattamie counties.
Similarly, pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down deferred events in Clear Lake and Marshalltown, where Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis had been slated to address the audience.
The blizzard, coupled with forecast negative teen temperatures on caucus night, raises concerns about its impact on voter turnout and results. Des Moines, Johnston, and Fairfield have reported significant snowfall, with road conditions labeled as "impassable" in some areas by Iowa's Department of Transportation.
Despite the weather challenges, the DeSantis campaign proceeded with two in-person events. Andrew Romeo, DeSantis campaign spokesperson, posted on X, "The snow is not going to slow down the hardest-working candidate and team in Iowa."
As the blizzard struck just days before the caucuses, strategists suggest the timing might benefit overall turnout, anticipating clearer roads by Monday night. However, the bone-chilling temperatures forecast for caucus night present an additional hurdle for voters.
Campaigns expressed readiness for extreme temperatures, relying on their organizations' preparedness and the resilience of Iowans accustomed to harsh winter conditions. Pro-Haley Stand for America PAC spokesperson Preya Samsundar highlighted the Midwestern resilience, emphasizing the familiarity of Iowans with January's cold weather.
Campaigns acknowledged the unique challenges presented by temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees, emphasizing the advantage of candidates who have extensively campaigned across the state. DeSantis' team sees this as a significant advantage, ensuring that voters attending caucuses in such conditions have had the chance to meet the candidate.
While some caucusgoers express readiness to brave the cold, concerns arise about potential lower turnout, particularly among elderly voters who may find the extreme conditions prohibitive. The impact on elderly voters, a traditionally dependable bloc, could be consequential for the caucuses.
As Iowa residents assess the weather's potential impact on turnout, differing opinions emerge. Some, like Iowa native John Brown, remain unfazed, stating, "I'm used to the cold weather."
Strategists contend that higher turnout would be ideal for candidates like former President Donald Trump. Jimmy Centers, an Iowa-based GOP strategist, suggested that Trump's team need not be overly concerned unless turnout drops significantly "below 150,000."
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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