Since 1969, governors of Iowa have averaged a decade in office, significantly longer than their peers in other states. Why? This book draws on approval data, interviews with politicos around the state, including two former governors, and a statewide survey of Iowa voters to explain Iowa's unique tendency to reelect governors at an unprecedented rate. Results show that Iowa voters give their governors considerable leeway so long as they feel personally connected to the person holding that office. Iowa voters expect their governor to be out and about on a regular basis, an expectation that is fueled by Iowa's position as holding the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. A sagging economy doesn't necessarily spell electoral doom for a governor if he perceived as working hard on behalf of the electorate. When that feeling of connectivity is absent, however, such factors weigh heavily on governor's reelection prospects.
- ISBN10 1137528133
- ISBN13 9781137528131
- Publish Date 29 September 2015 (first published 14 January 2014)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
- Imprint Palgrave Pivot
- Format eBook
- Pages 154
- Language English