It’s About the Ideal Candidate, Not the Party

Views from the Fellowship Bible Church Activity Building as caucus-goers cast their secret ballots.

by Esther Lwakabamba

The Iowa Caucus has come to an end. Last night saw a record number of new and experienced caucus participants. Undeniably, caucus-goers this election cycle had a number of options with the pool of candidates on both sides. Some say they were looking for the ideal candidate, regardless of party lines.

“Personally, I do not have a party. I do not know the difference in the [caucus process for Democrats and Republicans.] I rather look at the man than the party. I’m here for the man not the party,” said Kendra Briggs, a resident of Oskaloosa and a first time caucus participant this year.

Briggs, who was taking part in the Republican Caucus at the Fellowship Bible Church Activity Building in Oskaloosa, echoed a growing sentiment among a growing number of caucus participants this year: It’s about the specific candidate, not necessarily about party lines.

Justin Pecoy from Greene, Iowa, a registered Independent who did not caucus this year, expressed the same idea. “I like the stuff I’ve seen about Bernie Sanders. It’s more about the ideas now. We have such a vast access to information now. We can determine what we like and look for a candidate that we feel fits what the government should do,” said Pecoy.

Briggs added that her decision to caucus was motivated by the desire to find the right candidate. “I’m looking forward to voting for the right people [sic]. Every decision affects our generation, and I am hoping they vote for the right people [sic],” said Briggs.

Depending on the individual and personal cause, different candidates appeal. For Briggs, the candidate she chose to caucus for had a specific number of qualities. “[I’m looking for] a person with biblical principles, who hates bribes and lives by his words, tell us what he is going to do, not just to deceive us to get into office,” said Briggs.

Others like Caleb Mundwiller, a native of Missouri who came to Oskaloosa, described his experience caucusing for the first time as “cordial and smooth.” Mundwiller chose to caucus this year for Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. “Rand Paul is the best candidate, in my opinion, for social and economic freedoms,” said Mundwiller. Mundwiller’s support of Paul was a result of the Kentucky Senator’s libertarian views he connected with.

“I am Libertarian. I do believe there is a lot of “cognitive dissonance” in between both parties. The Democratic Party favors social freedoms, freedom for same-sex marriage, more times are more lenient with drug laws, whereas conservatives want economic freedom. Both parties are bad at bringing those two things together; being able to be completely free and being able to do whatever you want with your money, body and with your personal interest as long as you are not harming someone else,” said Mundwiller.

Mundwiller reiterated Briggs’ and other caucus-goers’ view that ultimately political parties should not be the main differentiator in gaining supporters, but essentially the candidates’ principles and stances. They say information on candidates is readily accessible and scrutinized in our social media age.

Moreover, more caucus-goers like Briggs saw the opportunity to caucus this year as a chance to be able to exchange and discuss ideas without pressure to endorse a particular candidate. “I’m glad that it was a humble experience, no one was trying to push a candidate on anybody,” said Briggs.

Spencer Thury, a Youth and Families Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa, who had caucused at least four times before, did so this year to exercise his democratic rights through the platform. “[I caucus because] of the American experience, and freedom to vote. It’s important to get involved in the process. The peacefulness of the transition,” said Thury.

Regardless of party differences, Thury displayed a fundamental aspect of the caucus, its grassroots democracy. “We can always have different opinions but have a peaceful transition,” said Thury.

The Fellowship Bible Church saw a plentiful turnout, where representatives like Mundwiller, who spoke for Paul, were given a platform to discuss and persuade others on their candidate’s stances. In addition to Paul, representatives for Cruz, Trump and Kasich spoke before caucus-goers cast their secret ballots. Eventually, Cruz won the precinct with 69 votes, followed by billionaire businessman Trump who received 44, neurosurgeon Carson garnered 28, Rubio 17, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul received five and Huckabee ended the tally with three.

Overall, the night ended with Cruz ultimately winning the Iowa Caucus with Trump in second place.