Caucus Stop: Trap Shooting in Newton

This blog is here to capture some of the unusual moments of the Iowa caucus race. 

Sometimes unusual means human. 

Sometimes it is hard to determine when politicians are being themselves or trying to look like it. 

Iowa is dotted with events like Joni Ernst’s Roast and Ride- an event where candidates get on Harley’s and the Iowa State Fair where the photo op is almost universally running the grill. 

This weekend, guns were involved. 

A bit down on the list of big fundraisers, the Jasper County trapshoot is certainly one of the most colorful ones.

Four candidates went to the trapshoot in the county that went 60-38-2 for Trump.

Mike Pence was the biggest name. Pence has been working the “common man” angle and I forget his youth with his white hair. He shot 13 of 25 pigeons unofficially (including the first and last). 

Asa Hutchison is a noted duck hunter so this is in is wheelhouse and he told donors that he looks forward to being on the second debate stage, though he has not made those thresholds 

Cameras caught Ryan Binkley praying before the shot. I really look at the Texas businessman and pastor as someone who could check all of the boxes to break out. He is putting in the work but seems to have an uphill battle against bigger names. 

If Binkley doesn’t get a ton of media coverage, the fourth candidate at the event gets even less. EW Jackson is head pastor at West Virginia’s Exodus Faith Ministries. He was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2013. I suspect Jackson would be targeting similar voters as Binkley and others who talk primarily about social issues.