What Iowans Want – Lower Prices & Clean Water

A Majority of Iowans Disapprove of Trump’s Handling of the Presidency, Economy, and Iran War

President Trump is underwater in a state he won by nearly 15 points in 2024. His net approval sits at -17 (41% approve – 58% disapprove, including 50% who strongly disapprove). Among moderate Iowans, Trump’s net approval is -51 (24% approve – 75% disapprove).

Three-in-five (60%) Iowans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, including 50% who strongly disapprove. Similarly, 61% disapprove of his handling of the Iran war, including 50% who strongly disapprove.

A plurality (37%) say the most concerning action their elected representative could take would be “being blindly loyal to Trump, and will do what he says even if it’s worse for Iowa.”

Iowans Don’t See Hinson as Looking Out for Them or Sharing Their Values

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) is underwater on several key traits among Iowans:

• “Looking out for people like me” (33% describes well – 46% does not describe well),
• “Shares my values” (38% describes well – 44% does not describe well), and
• “Getting things done” (36% describes well – 43% does not describe well).

Iowans See a Dismal Economy Made Worse by Republican Elected Officials and Their Policies

Nearly seven-in-10 Iowans (69%) see the economy in a negative light and a majority (52%) say Republicans in Congress have “focused on policies that have made life less affordable.” 47% blame Trump and Republicans in Congress for rising costs, compared to just 35% who say the same for Democrats.  Iowans also blame specific policies from Trump and Republicans in Congress for increased costs – 21% blame tariffs and 16% blame the war with Iran.

Iowans want their leaders in Washington to prioritize lowering costs and making the economy work, however, that is not what they see Republicans in Congress focused on. Nearly half (48%) list inflation and the cost of living as one of their top priorities for Congress to prioritize, but only 8% say that is a priority for President Trump and Republicans in Congress; 24% say Democrats in Congress are focused on the issue. Similarly, 39% want jobs and the economy to be a top priority for lawmakers, but only 13% see Trump and Republicans in Congress focused on it while 17% say the same about Democrats in Congress.

Iowans are nearly evenly split on whether they trust Republicans or Democrats more on handling the economy (41% Republicans – 37% Democrats) and lowering costs (37% Republicans – 36% Democrats). However, 20% and 24%, respectively, don’t trust either party on the issue. Rep. Hinson, specifically, was underwater on several economic values:

• 45% say the phrase “lowering costs for working families” does not describe Hinson well compared to 33% who say it does,
• 44% say the phrase “fighting inflation” does not describe Hinson well compared to 28% who say it does, and
• 47% say the phrase “making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable” does not describe Hinson well compared to 30% who say it does.

On Iowa-Specific Issues, Constituents Trust Democrats More than Republicans

Iowans are particularly concerned about lawmakers’ refusal to ban pesticides that pollute water (60% a serious concern). This comes as Iowa’s cancer rate is spiking due in part to contaminated water. By a 22-point margin, Iowans trust Democrats more on protecting drinking water than Republicans (42% Democrats – 20% Republicans), although 23% trust neither party on the issue. And when asked about Rep. Hinson specifically, a plurality say the phrase “ensuring our food and water is safe” does not describe her well (34% describe well – 41% does not describe well).

Hospitals and clinics across Iowa – particularly in rural Iowa – have been closing at worrying rates, some due in part to Medicaid cuts from the Republican tax law. This trend is worrying Iowans; nearly three-in-five (59%) say that they are very concerned about Medicaid cuts “forcing rural hospitals and clinics to close and cut services.” Iowans trust Democrats more than Republicans when it comes to keeping rural hospitals open (43% Democrats – 24% Republicans).

Iowans also trust Democrats more than Republicans on protecting public education (46% Democrats – 35% Republicans).

Other policy actions that raise the most concerns for Iowans include:

• Ending tax credits that help working people and small businesses pay for health insurance, driving up premiums by 114% (57% seriously concerned), 
• Allowing big tech companies to build data centers with no restrictions (54% seriously concerned),
• Getting support from pharmaceutical companies and the health care industry (54% seriously concerned), and
• Passing handouts for and decreasing regulations on big food corporations (53% seriously concerned).