Zach Wahls rallied supporters in Grinnell as he pressed forward in a crowded Democratic primary and prepared for a potential matchup against U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson for a spot in the U.S. Senate.
Wahls, who has served in the Iowa Senate since 2018, representing Johnson County, held a campaign meet-and-greet Saturday, Sept. 13, at Saints Rest Coffee House for a crowd of over 50 people.
“I know in my bones that we can build a better future,” Wahls said. “That we can have a state where everybody who works hard, who lives by the rules, can actually make a decent living, can get ahead, can leave something for our kids and for our grandkids, and can retire with security and with dignity.”
Wahls first announced his campaign against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst on June 11.
“I want to be your next U.S. Senator, because I think we can do better than someone who’s just waiting for all of us to die,” Wahls said, in an apparent jab at a gaffe Ernst made during a May town hall meeting.
On Sept. 2, Ernst announced she would not be running for re-election, opening up the race for another Republican candidate. Hinson, who represents Poweshiek County, quickly declared her candidacy for the seat.
“We’re asking for your support, and we’re asking for your help, in building a grassroots movement in all 99 counties that can stand up to the corporate donors and the billionaires who are going to fund Ashley Hinson’s campaign and help us build a new kind of politics that can actually move our state forward,” Wahls said.
In response to Wahls’ Saturday comments, Addie Lavis, Hinson’s campaign director, said the Democratic nomination hopeful is “as far-left as you can go and is out of touch with Iowans.”
“He supports boys playing in girls’ sports, opposes tax cuts for working families, and opposes the deportation of violent criminals who are in our country illegally,” Lavis said. “Ashley is delivering for working Iowa families and fighting for common sense, and will beat him next November.”
When asked by The Scarlet & Black why he is confident in his run, Wahls cited his aggressive campaign schedule.
“We’re not just going to the big areas,” he said. “We have a message that’s resonating with Democratic voters, and it’s also resonating across the political spectrum.”
Several questions were raised by the audience, which included local residents as well as Grinnell College faculty, staff and students. Topics ranged from gun violence to transgender rights.
Wahls was asked about Charlie Kirk, the right-wing influencer who was assassinated at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. “My hope is that as we learn a little bit more about what happened in Utah, that there will be more leaders on the Republican side and across the political spectrum who will join us,” he said.
He was also asked about his supportive stance on gay rights. “Here’s why I believe what I believe: if they can take rights away from LGBT people, they can take away anybody’s rights,” he said.
Wahls touted the successes of the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act and called for stronger action to address climate change, which he said could be wrapped into the next Farm Bill.
“I think the investments that were made by the IRA, the Inflation Reduction Act, were going to do a really good job,” he said. “We need to restore those, and I would support that 100 percent. I think, at a high level, having a farm bill that can actually support farmers who are doing the right thing when it comes to conservation practices.”
