Local candidates urge Grinnell students to vote in local elections

Grinnell College Campus Democrats hosted two local candidates on the Central Campus Commencement Stage on Saturday, Sep. 7, bringing together members of the Grinnell community. 

Tommy Hexter `21, the Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 53, and Sarah Corkery, who is running for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District, both emphasized the influence local youth can have on elections.

Rally organizers sought to create a lively environment at the rally complete with a set from student DJ Eli Brotman `25 and colorful upcycled shirts from Corkery’s campaign. 

Kaycie Brookens `26, the leader of Campus Dems, said she was glad the event came together quickly. 

“We’re really lucky to have candidates who are very proactive about getting involved with students on campus and so they were really the ones to reach out and take the initiative on this,” said Brookens. “I’m glad that we have an administration that’s very hospitable to this kind of thing.”

For Corkery, promoting joy was a crucial aspect of this event and her campaign in general. 

“We [the Democratic party] have to just get people back excited about talking about politics and finding politicians that speak to them, so there’s a lot that can be done right here [in Grinnell],” Corkery said. “We’re glad to be here, because this is a very important district,” she continued. “We need to win the College.”

Since graduating from Grinnell in 2021, Hexter has continued to maintain ties to the College while also working as a commissioner for the Poweshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District and on issues of local food access through Grinnell Farm To Table.  

“My message of success is inspiring young people to believe that we can make a difference, both in politics and in rural America,” said Hexter. “Working with Grinnell College students is just at the top of my list.”

Recent Grinnell alumnus Ori Shaham `23.5, Hexter’s campaign manager, said that political engagement can enrich the student experience. 

“A lot of times we [Grinnell students] sort of just mind our own business and are in this bubble on campus but there’s a whole world happening around us,” said Shaham. “You can get a lot more out of being at Grinnell if you get involved with local politics and understand what the issues that are important to people are.”

Both Corkery and Hexter emphasized several ways for students to get involved with political campaigns, including canvassing door to door, reaching voters through social media and registering to vote in Iowa. 

Corkery voiced her support for change in Iowa’s politics, including protecting reproductive rights, supporting public schools and providing more food assistance. She said she has been excited about the new energy Kamala Harris’s presidential candidacy has inspired in voters. 

“Our party [the Democratic party] has been about being authentic and having joy since day one,” Corkery said. “Those have been our two values. … If we’re not having fun, we’re not going to attract people to our campaign. People are tired of the complaining and finger pointing, and they’re ready to engage with people who want to get work done and have a decent time while doing it.”

Ashley Hinson, the current representative from Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District and Corkery’s opponent, did not respond to a request for comment. 

According to Maxwell Robben `27, a member of Campus Dems, the club will be hosting a series of voter registration events as the Nov. 5 election approaches. On Oct. 17, Grinnell will host early voting on campus. 

Echoing Robben’s sentiment, Tatum Watkins `27, the vice president of Campus Dems, said Campus Dems hope to make civic engagement easier for students. 

“We have a really supportive administration right now so everyone’s really pro-voting, pro-voter education,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that we made politics accessible to students here.”

According to Robben, Diana Dawley, the Democratic candidate for county supervisor, won her election by just 200 votes last cycle. Brookens said she believes that Grinnell students can make a tangible electoral difference. 

“I don’t think a lot of people realize that the Grinnell College bubble, as we like to think of it, has a lot of influence,” she said. “We have the numbers, hypothetically, if everyone were to turn out, to make or break an election.”