You don’t win races you don’t run in. And because we’ve made getting involved such a slog, no one wants to run.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, hosts Zachary Oren Smith speaks with Blue Missouri’s Jess Piper about what happens when a party decides not to compete in our rural states.
In 2022, over 40% of legislative seats went uncontested. That dropped to just 18% in 2024. Competing isn’t winning, but Piper argues making the effort makes a difference.
Join the conversation with Amie Rivers and hear about a push to criminalize drag shows, the opacity of the state’s private school voucher program, and primary jockeying among Republicans for election years that haven’t begun.
Links:
1. Taking someone under 18 to a drag show would be a felony under Iowa House bill (Des Moines Register): https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/13/iowa-house-bill-would-make-it-a-felony-to-take-minors-to-lgbtq-drag-show/78523064007/
2. State agencies block Auditor Sand during review of private school voucher program (Iowa Starting Line): https://iowastartingline.com/2025/02/18/sand-education-school-voucher-audit/
3. Former Republican state representative to challenge Kim Reynolds for Iowa governor seat (Des Moines Register): https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/17/republican-brad-sherman-to-run-for-iowa-governor-against-incumbent-kim-reynolds-gop/78963619007/
Guest:
Jess Piper is the executive director of Blue Missouri and the host of Dirt Road Democrat podcast.
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