Rogue Iowa Caucus Causes Millions of Dollars in Damages

Iowa faces fresh calls for a new electoral process as the 2020 primary caucuses leave the state in chaos and disarray.

| Photo by Hasan Almasi on Unsplash

Des Moines, IA: As the vote tally from last week’s Iowa caucuses for the 2020 presidential primaries continues to be recounted, another figure is starting to stir controversy in the Hawkeye state.

A state auditor revealed this week that a rogue caucus from last week’s primaries inflicted a whopping $16 million worth of damage on the city of Des Moines. The damage was caused after a heated first round of voting, when the caucus broke free from its venue, a high school assembly hall, and began roaming the streets of downtown Des Moines, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Des Moines residents that witnessed the incident describe a scene of utter carnage as the caucus moved down Locust Street, overturning cars, destroying store fronts, and at one point trampling over a group of unsuspecting tourists. While no one was killed in the incident, several tourists were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. 

“It was like Lord of the Flies out here,” said Sam Wilson, 56, who happened to be walking by the hall when the caucus broke loose. “I haven’t seen an angry mob of white people like that since… Well, last week.” 

The unruly caucus was eventually disbanded when two fire trucks cornered them and used their hoses to incapacitate the participants. Police on the scene said there were too many participants to arrest, and so most caucus voters were free to return home immediately. 

Toby McGruff, 36, participated in the rogue caucus, but says he is unsure who is to blame, and who should foot the bill for the extensive damage inflicted on the city.

“The mob mentality just took us all over,” Toby told the NY Prophet. “As you can imagine, it’s not a healthy mindset, but it’s a great way to decide who we want as President.”

Iowa has attracted criticism in recent years for their unique, albeit traditional voting practices, and some pundits say this incident may be the last straw, as state leaders of the major political parties consider abandoning the caucus tradition in favor of a more common electoral process. 

Despite the controversy within Iowa, national attention has well and truly moved on, as the 2020 Presidential primaries continue this week in New Hampshire, before Nevada on February 22nd, another caucus state.