On a Recent Radio Appearance, Republican Leader Bob Vander Plaats Indicated Enthusiasm Was in Favor of Fred Hubbell and Democrats in Iowa

Follows A Long Slew Of Republicans Leaders Who Have Criticized The Struggling Reynolds Campaign

In a recent radio appearance, GOP politician and political activist Bob Vander Plaats indicated Iowa Republicans could be in trouble this November based off the enthusiasm he has been seeing around the state from grassroots Democrats.

When talking about a recent bike ride around Lake Okaboji, Vander Plaats made note of the difference in yard signs from 2016 to this year:

 

TRANSCRIPT: “I am surprised at how many Trump signs I’m seeing in these yards…we did that same bike ride this year and I said there are too many Fred Hubbell signs…and those signs sent me a message.”

Vander Plaats also made note of the stark contrast of attendance numbers between a recent rally of Kim Reynolds, Congressman David Young and Vice President Mike Pence, where only 200 supporters showed up, to a rally this past weekend with Democratic nominee for Iowa’s 4th District J.D. Scholten, and Senator Bernie Sanders where an estimated 600 supporters showed up.

This isn’t the first time a member of the Republican party has criticized Governor Reynolds. Back in June, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley was vocal in his critique of Governor Reynolds’ negative campaigning and personal attacks on Fred Hubbell saying, “I don’t think that’s smart,” it’s “a problem,” and that she should “stick to policy.”

A former GOP nominee for governor called a recent attack ad from Reynolds “ineffective,” and a Republican strategist Craig Robinson, said,“[Governor Reynolds] is not really focused on her accomplishments and what the Republican legislature has done…” and stated he “would feel better about this campaign moving forward if Reynolds was more positive…this is a negative campaign from her.”

Even her own supporters criticized Governor Reynolds for running a negative campaign.

“Without a positive record or vision to run on, it’s no wonder enthusiasm for Governor Reynolds has dwindled,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price.

“Enthusiasm for Fred Hubbell, and Democrats up and down the ticket has been swelling for months and even Republicans are now starting to take notice. Fred Hubbell will be a governor for all Iowans, with a positive vision for change and a focus on issues that matter most to Iowans, it’s clear why Democrats, Independents, and even Republicans are so fired up to elect him as our next governor.”

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