Daemen PSC & HST Students Visit Iowa - Day 1

On Thursday, January 16, I traveled to Des Moines, IA with 5 of our Political Science and History majors to experience the retail politics surrounding the fast-approaching Iowa Caucuses.  These caucuses are scheduled for February 3 and will set the tone for the rest of the presidential nominating contests.  We will be attending a variety of political events throughout the state, including campaign rallies/town halls/community events with Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, and Elizabeth Warren.

Waiting for our flight out of Buffalo

After a short delay in Detroit, we made it to Iowa in the evening of January 16 and settled in to our hotel.  Friday morning, we attended a presentation by the National Director of Project Vote Smart, Walker McKusick, which is headquartered at Drake University in Des Moines.  Our own political science professor, Dr. Lisa Parshall, is an advisor for Key Votes New York for Project Vote Smart.  Project Vote Smart is a nonpartisan group that aims to provide factual information to voters ahead of elections.

Project Vote Smart Bumper Sticker 

Daemen Students (to the right in this picture) at the Vote Smart presentation with students from Principia College in Illinois, who are also in Des Moines to witness the pre-caucus events.  

After our Vote Smart presentation, Iowa was hit by a winter storm--giving us a snow day, as the rest of our events for today were canceled.  Des Moines ended up getting about 6 inches of snow today, but we still ventured out to explore the city a bit.  

The students (Carlos McKnight, Sam Williams, Lindsey Hornung, Ricardo Marquez, and Tysai Washington, from L-R) enjoying the snow on Drake University's campus.

To help fill up some of our snow day, we visited the Iowa State Capitol Building and had an incredible, unique experience.  

Iowa State Capitol Building 

From L-R: Tysai Washington, Ricardo Marquez, Sam Williams, Lindsey Hornung, Carlos McKnight

Once we got inside, we met Iowa State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, who has served Polk County (of which Des Moines is the county seat) since 2007.  Representative Abdul-Samad introduced us to Latino Leader Mary Campos and former Iowa State Representative Wayne Ford.  Ms. Campos and Mr. Ford are the founders and chairs of the Brown and Black Forum held in Des Moines every four years.  The Brown and Black Forum provides candidates with the opportunity to address concerns of the African American and Latino communities.  The Forum began in 1984 and is an important part of run-up to the Iowa Caucuses.

Group picture with Mary Campos, Wayne Ford (center) and Representative Ako Abdul-Samad (right)

Representative Abdul-Samad was then kind enough to give us a tour of the State House of Representatives and tell us several stories about what brought him into politics and some of the issues he is currently fighting for.  

Chamber of the Iowa State House of Representatives 

Representative Abdul-Samad talking with students about the Iowa House of Representatives

Group Picture at the Speaker of the State House's Desk.  The current Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives is Pat Grassley, the grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley.  

Overall, we had a very exciting first day in Iowa, despite some inclement weather.  We were incredibly appreciative of Representative Abdul-Samad's time, as he gave us an incredible experience at the Iowa State Capitol.