Former President Donald Trump held a campaign event in Ottumwa, Iowa on Sunday as part of his efforts to secure the support of his followers. Ottumwa, a city in eastern Iowa, was previously a Democratic stronghold but has now embraced Trump. The diminishing influence of trade unions in the area has led to a loss of voters for the Democrats and a shift towards the Republicans. With 2,500 attendees packing into an event hall at the Bridge View Center, Trump addressed the crowd and expressed his confidence in winning the caucuses on January 15th.
This was Trump’s second trip to eastern Iowa in two weeks, highlighting his popularity in the area. His campaign is intensifying its efforts to rally supporters and encourage them to commit to voting for him in the caucuses. Despite the sweltering heat, the crowd waited for hours outside the venue to attend the event. In contrast, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley’s campaign stop in suburban Des Moines only attracted around 200 attendees. Trump is expected to visit the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids areas next week.
The success of Trump’s campaign in the eastern part of Iowa can be attributed to the decline of manufacturing in the region. His administration’s renegotiation of the US trade pact with Canada and Mexico has been well-received by the community. Rick Anderson, a retired union millwright, and his wife Nancy, who used to vote Democratic, switched their support to Trump in 2016. They have not previously attended Iowa’s Republican precinct caucuses but are now considering voting for Trump. Anderson praised Trump’s emphasis on energy issues and expressed his belief that Democrats have lost touch with voters like them.
After the Ottumwa event, Trump traveled to Leighton, Iowa to visit a soybean farm. He addressed the crowd, autographed a John Deere combine, and touted his administration’s trade policy as beneficial for farmers. Trump also commented on the government spending measure aimed at avoiding a partial shutdown and expressed his dissatisfaction with the deal reached by House Republicans.
While Trump maintains a strong lead in Iowa, his Republican rivals are vying for support in the hopes of challenging his popularity. Trump volunteers at the campaign event were asking attendees to commit to supporting Trump at the caucuses.
Prior to visiting Iowa, Trump spent two days in California and delivered a fiery speech to enthusiastic Republicans. He discussed his tough-on-crime stance and called for violent retribution against criminals, winning applause from the crowd. During his time in California, Trump also raised funds in Orange County, a region that was once a conservative stronghold but has become more competitive in recent years.
While Trump’s Republican rivals participated in the second primary debate, he visited Macomb County, Michigan, a key battleground in the general election. Trump criticized Joe Biden’s support for electric cars during an autoworkers’ strike. Macomb County has been a crucial county for both Trump and Obama in previous elections.
In summary, Trump continues to draw large crowds as he campaigns in Iowa, particularly in areas previously dominated by Democrats. His tough stance on crime and successful trade policies have resonated with voters, leading to a shift in support towards the Republican Party. As the Jan. 15 caucuses approach, Trump’s campaign is working hard to secure commitments from his supporters, while his rivals strive to gain traction and consolidate non-Trump support.