Iowa voters react to changes in presidential election

DES MOINES, Iowa — On a Monday afternoon, we found three voices gathered at the Smokey Row coffee shop to share their thoughts on the 2024 presidential election.

“At heart, I’m a Republican,” Linda Woods explained when responding to the latest news that President Joe Biden has ended his re-election campaign.

Across the room, Margo Keller announced her choice, but with a cautious undertone.

“I would definitely vote for Kamala Harris,” Keller said. “But I don’t have confidence that she can win.”

Jeff Riggins still doesn’t know.

“I have very little in my head, probably less than five percent of my political preferences, Republican versus Democrat,” Riggins said.

There is one theme that all three agree on: how extraordinarily bizarre the current political cycle really is.

“I think it’s a super interesting time for this country; you know, unprecedented in terms of what’s happened,” Woods said.

Keller feels her party made the decision for her.

“It seems like we don’t really have that much to consider,” Keller said.

Riggins likes to describe the situation as he sees it.

“Strong, committed Democrats who have spent a lot of their lives really need to stand up and take their party to task. The process that happened, let’s just say it didn’t feel very natural and now they’re in a tough spot and their options aren’t great,” Riggins said.