Vance blasts Democrats as 'lunatics' in Iowa rally push for GOP
candidates
[September 19, 2026]
By JOSH BOAK and SEUNG MIN KIM
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Vice President JD Vance on Friday mounted a
vigorous defense of the Trump administration's policies and Iowa GOP
candidates on the November ballot, arguing that the Democrats had turned
into the party of “lunatics," in his second trip to the politically
consequential state this year.
While in Iowa, Vance tried to nationalize the elections, invoking
Democratic candidates in other states such as Kansas, Texas and New York
at a time when the state's Democratic ticket has tried to keep its focus
local. But he took plenty of swings at Iowa Democrats, saying their
candidate for governor, Rob Sand, was a “career politician" and not a
moderate, despite his public persona.
“Let's send the crazy packing and get them out of Washington, D.C., and
get them out of Des Moines,” Vance told the crowd at the Mid-America
Center in Council Bluffs, located on the western edge of the
once-Republican stronghold state. Iowa has found itself with competitive
races for the Senate and the governor’s mansion this year.
Zach Lahn, the GOP nominee for governor, campaigned alongside Vance, who
showered him with effusive praise. But missing was Republican U.S. Rep.
Ashley Hinson, the party’s Senate candidate, who did not attend the
rally Friday due to previously scheduled events, according to her
campaign.
Council Bluffs is home to Josh Turek, the Democratic nominee for the
Senate who represents the area in the Statehouse.
“It’s no mystery why Vance is here,” Turek wrote in a fundraising appeal
ahead of Vance’s visit. “It’s because his billionaire bosses are
terrified that their grip over Iowa is slipping — and with it, their
narrow Senate majority.”
Vance spoke about job growth under the Trump administration and was
greeted with cheers for the administration’s work on immigration and
border security. Continuing on his laundry list of White House
accomplishments, Vance mentioned the administration’s work to get “most
favored nation” prescription drug prices and highlighted the policies on
not taxing tips or overtime and protecting Social Security.
In the agriculture-heavy state, Vance said he was perhaps “most proud of
what we’ve been able to do for Iowa farmers,” pointing to efforts by the
administration to open up more global markets to American-grown food.
Still, Vance urged voters to be patient.
“Whenever you hear me talk during this midterm campaign, I’ll say Rome
was not built in a day because we know there’s a lot of work to do,”
Vance said.
[to top of second column]
|
Vice President JD Vance speaks during a Republican National
Committee's Midterm Rally at the Mid-America Center, Friday, Sept.
18, 2026 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. (Anna Moneymaker/Pool Photo via
AP)
Vance took his first trip to the state as vice president in May,
campaigning alongside Rep. Zach Nunn, one of the party’s most endangered
incumbents this year. Nunn and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, another
Iowa Republican, voted earlier this week in a symbolic measure to halt
the war in Iran, underscoring how the military conflict that Trump
launched is causing political troubles for his own party.
The vice president has been one of the most visible surrogates on the
midterm campaign trail, jetting to locations such as Kansas, Wisconsin
and his native Ohio to promote Republican candidates and the
administration’s achievements.
Friday’s rally location is in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, which
is being vacated by Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra after his failed bid
for governor. Democrat Dave Dawson and Republican Chris McGowan are
vying for the seat. That race is not considered one of the more
competitive races in this election.
Vance’s visit to the state shows Republican candidates are in political
trouble in November, said Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee, in a statement.
“Iowans have had enough of their D.C.-first, Iowa-last priorities and
will hold them all accountable for their agenda that’s caused
skyrocketing prices at the pump, grocery stores, and doctor’s office,”
Smith said.
___
Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut contributed to this report from
Des Moines, Iowa.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
