More than 500 Iowa Republicans visited Marshalltown High School Roundhouse, where the local party held a caucus meeting.
They were handed pieces of paper with the names of candidates campaigning across Iowa: Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump. Though Trump was the caucus victor on Jan. 15, speaking with voters before the race was called gave insight into varying Iowan views on candidates.
“I voted for DeSantis. He’s someone fresh and still wants similar things to Trump, but DeSantis I’m sure can deliver,” said Brad Bragga, a 72, retired automobile dealer from Marshalltown. “Plus he doesn’t have criminal cases, which is just too much drama for a president.” Adding that he and his wife Kathy, a retired nurse, are tired of broken promises they cited DeSantis’ work in Florida as evidence of his merit.
Bragga’s close friend Ronald Crow, 72, a farmer in Marshalltown, defended Trump, whom he voted for.
“They are just going after him. [Trump] is who we need, he did great work and helped the economy when in office,” Crow said. “So we just need him back in there to shake things up again.”
Though Bragga and Crow didn’t agree on their choice of candidate, the two said they wouldn’t let politics separate them.
Other voters included Ryan Carroll, 30, a teacher in Marshalltown, who spoke in support of Ramaswamy at the caucus. Caroll said he is looking for someone younger to lead the country and someone who understands the younger generations’ struggles and problems.
Every voter had their preferred candidate, but all believed that no matter what, they did not want another term for the Biden administration.
Duane Garrett, 61, works in maintenance. He backed Trump in the 2020 general election and on Jan. 15. Garrett said he believes Trump is what the country needs. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Jennifer Bryant, 49, a registered nurse, voted for Trump in the last general election, but is hesitant to vote for him in this year's Caucus. She was torn between Trump and Haley, citing Trump's current legal charges as a deterrent. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Heather Hammer (left), 30, is a senior account manager at Verizon, and Brady Hammer (right), 29, is a field service tech. The couple voted for Ramaswamy. The two believe that someone closer to their age can truly understand their economic struggles and beliefs. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) A retired couple sits with their son and his spouse in the bleachers at an Iowa caucus meeting in Marshalltown. Harlann Siemens (right) said he believes that Trump is the best choice for the country, which is a sentiment shared by his family. Leann Siemens (middle right), their son (middle left), Trey Siemens, a 26 year old CNC machinist in Iowa, and his spouse (left) Sarah Butcher, 31, also a CNC machinist, all voted for Trump. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Donald Smith, 65, a truck driver in Iowa, holds a graphic he made that reads “Trump 2024: Make Trucking Great Again.” Smith voted for Trump in the 2020 general election and planned on voting for him again at the caucus meeting. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Austin Craig, 30. Craig preferred to not say what he does for work, but he attended the caucus meeting in Marshalltown as a Trump caucus captain to persuade voters and speak on behalf of the former president. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Ronald Crow (right), 72, a Marshalltown teacher, voted for Trump. Crow’s childhood friend (middle right) Brad Bragga, 72, a retired automobile dealer, voted for DeSantis, along with his wife (middle left) Kathy, 70, a retired nurse. Their close friend (left) Gana Mitchem, 76, a retired beautician, chose to vote for Ramaswamy. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Ryan Carroll, 32, another teacher at Marshalltown High School, supports Ramaswamy. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Noah Hermanson, 21, a student at Iowa State studying dentistry, is another young voter supporting Vivek Ramaswamy. He said he will vote for Trump if he’s the Republican nominee in the general election. (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico) Diego Ortiz, 20, is a student at Marshalltown Community College studying engineering. Ortiz voted for Ramaswamy at the caucus because he believed that Ramaswamy had an understanding of the younger demographics’ needs due to his age (38). (Photo by Nova Blanco-Rico)
