WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – ITR Foundation (formerly TEF Iowa) released its inaugural poll conducted on Friday. The poll reveals that 54 percent of Iowans think the state is headed in the right direction but are pessimistic about their economic outlook. They also believe their income and property taxes are too high.
Also, 58 percent of Iowa voters disapprove of President Joe Biden’s performance in office. Only 40 percent of Iowa voters approve of his job performance after nine months in office. According to this poll, if former President Donald Trump were to run again, Trump would defeat Biden 54.1 percent to 40.5 percent.
The poll was conducted by Cygnal on October 18-19, 2021, with a sample size of 600 Iowa voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percent.
ITR Foundation Deputy Director Walt Rogers said, “The ITR Foundation Poll will survey Iowans multiple times a year. The data collected will be used to understand statewide public opinion about elected officials and issues that impact the daily lives of Iowans. This poll will help focus our effort to develop policy solutions for those issues.”
President Biden’s $3.5 trillion spending plan fares even worse. Almost 60 percent of Iowans oppose the proposed $3.5 trillion spending bill the Democrats have pushed, while only 34 percent support it.
The poll has good news for Republicans Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. The governor receives strong marks, with 57 percent of Iowans holding a favorable impression of her and 53 percent saying she deserves re-election next year. Grassley has a 53 percent favorability rating, and the senator would easily defeat Abby Finkenaur 55.2 percent to 38.6 percent if the election were held today.
Republicans touted the poll.
“I’ll keep this simple: Iowa Democrat gubernatorial hopefuls are wasting their time,” Republican Governors’ Association Spokeswoman Maddie Anderson said. “Iowans trust Governor Kim Reynolds to run their state, defend their freedoms, and enact policies that keep Iowa open for business — and this new polling clearly demonstrates that. Democrats who think they have a chance to knock her off are more than welcome to light their money on fire.”
“Abby Finkenauer’s already-steep hill to climb just got steeper. Her support for Joe Biden’s socialist agenda is wildly out of touch with hardworking Iowa families and more in line with the West Coast elites she hobnobs with. It’s clear Finkenauer – who was Pelosi’s puppet in the House – has no plans to work for everyday Iowans in the Senate,” NRSC Spokesperson Katharine Cooksey said.
Also, 63.4 percent of Iowans say their property taxes are too high. Nearly six of 10 Iowans think the state’s $1.24 billion surplus should be used to lower how much they pay in taxes.
Iowans support school choice. Almost 57 percent of Iowans would support a plan to allow parents to spend their child’s share of state educational funding at the public or private school of their choice.
Rogers added, “Broadly speaking, nearly two out of three Iowans want lower taxes and more school choice. Those two issues will garner attention at the Capitol next year.”
Read the poll below:
ITR-Foundation-Poll-Toplines-10-22-2021
