#Border security, fighting ‘woke’ agenda top list of Iowa Republicans’ concerns

Securing the U.S. southern border and fighting the “left’s woke agenda” top the list of Iowa Republicans’ concerns, according to a recent poll released ahead of Wednesday’s first GOP primary debate.

The NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll released Monday asked likely GOP Iowa caucusgoers about seven policy issues, with border security coming out as top priority.

The poll found 77 percent of likely GOP Iowa caucusgoers said they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports using the U.S. military to secure the southern border, compared to 12 percent who said they were less likely and 9 percent who said it would not matter. 

This comes as many of the GOP candidates have hardened their tone on immigration during the campaign, arguing for tighter security at the border and blasting President Biden’s immigration policies.

Meanwhile, 65 percent said they are more likely to back a candidate who fights the “left’s woke agenda,” while 17 percent said they were less likely and 13 percent who said it would not matter. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has notably made stomping out “woke culture” a central focus of his campaign.  

The poll comes ahead of the first GOP primary debate, where candidates are likely to face questions of hot-button topics including immigration and progressive policies on health care, countering climate change and promoting diversity and social equity.

A majority, or 61 percent of likely GOP Iowa caucusgoers, also said they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports banning gender-affirming medical treatment, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgeries for youth under 18. 

Another 54 percent said they would likely vote for a candidate who supports a nationwide ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions, according to the poll. While all the candidates have indicated they oppose abortion, their approaches to the issue vary. The majority of GOP White House hopefuls have been hesitant to fully endorse a national ban, and have argued the issue should be left up to the state. 

Last month, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed into law a “fetal heartbeat” law on abortion that bans women for seeking abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies. The law is currently being held up in state court, but is similar to a law DeSantis signed in Florida earlier this year.

Nearly 60 percent of those polled said the blocked measure “gets it about right,” with regards to state’s abortion regulation, while 30 percent said the state has “too many restrictions” on abortion while 9 percent said the state has “too few restrictions.” 

The poll also showed 43 percent of caucusgoers are less likely to vote for a candidate who supports continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine, while 35 percent said they would be more likely and 20 percent said it would not matter. 

The issue over Ukraine aid has already caused divide among GOP candidates. Former President Trump, DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have all suggested America scale back or cut of its aid to Kyiv  to focus on domestic issues, while former Gov. New Jersey Chris Christie has vowed his support to the embattled country.  

Eight of the qualifying Republican candidates will face off Wednesday night in the first GOP primary debate. 

The new poll was conducted Aug. 13-17 among 406 Iowa voters likely to attend the 2024 Republican caucus and has a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points.