With the congressional primaries around the corner (Tuesday, June 3rd), I’ve become increasingly interested in the various races around the state, most predominantly of which is the 3rd Congressional District race for the Democratic nomination between Leonard Boswell (incumbent) and Ed Fallon.
This race has received much of its attention lately because of Fallon’s continued challenge for a debate, which Boswell has consistently declined – or in Fallon’s press release language, “has chosen not to participate” in, which I take as Boswell simply ignoring him.
This isn’t necessarily a good move for Boswell given the current Democratic climate. People are angry with how the party’s being run and they want to see change (note Obama’s success with his ‘change’ slogan). Fallon offers a far-left alternative to the politics that Boswell has offered his last six terms.
I first met Ed Fallon when he made an unsuccessful pull for the gubernatorial seat in 2006; during my initial impression he struck me as a sort-of quirky nerdy type, but at the same time he was very well spoken, so I don’t necessarily blame Boswell for not debating him. Boswell’s getting old and some say even out of touch, so Fallon could possibly trample him in a battle of words.
If Boswell’s going for the, what somebody’s running against me? strategy, I’d say he’s accomplished it, but I’m not so sure it’s been well taken with the amount of press [and press endorsements] that Fallon has received as of late.
This past week, Boswell received an endorsement from Lt. Governor Patty Judge, who cited his record with health care as reason for her support. Unfortunately for Boswell, however, is that there’s another issue far more resonate in the minds of passionate Democrats.
The War on Iraq is the key issue in this year’s congressional races, one in which Boswell is not favored in. As a Vietnam vet himself, he voted for the Iraq war, and has dealt which an abundance of backlash due to that decision. Likewise, Fallon is going to bring out the grassroots part of the Democratic electorate Tuesday, and that could be the turning point in this race.
As the incumbent, Boswell started with the edge in this race, but at this point, I feel like it could go either way. Here’s a breakdown of the various state races as they currently stand:
1st Congressional District
Bruce Braley, Democrat (Incumbent)
No Republican Challenger
2nd Congressional District
Dave Loebsack, Democrat (Incumbent)
Dr. Marianette Miller-Meeks, Republican (Challenger)
Peter Teahen, Republican (Challenger)
Lee Harder, Republican (Challenger)
3rd Congressional District
Leonard Boswell, Democrat (Incumbent)
Ed Fallon, Democrat (Challenger)
No Republican Challenger
Frank Forrestal, Socialist Party (Challenger)
4th Congressional District
Tom Latham, Republican (Incumbent)
William Meyers, Democrat (Challenger)
5th Congressional District
Steve King, Republican (Incumbent)
Ron Hubler, Democrat (Challenger)
Bob Chambers, Democrat (Challenger)
U.S. Senate
Tom Harkin, Democrat (Incumbent)
Bob McDowell, Republican (Challenger)
Steve Rathje, Republican (Challenger)
Christopher Reed, Republican (Challenger)
Diana Newberry, Socialist Workers (Challenger)