Ames Candidates Meet With Iowa State University Students
Political hopefuls gathered at the Memorial Union to engage with students ahead of the upcoming November election.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Do you believe candidate outreach events effectively encourage college students to vote in local elections?
Candidates for national, statewide, and local offices set up tables in the Memorial Union Sunroom at Iowa State University to discuss their platforms with students. The event aimed to bridge the gap between local political figures and the university community just over a week before voters head to the polls.
Why it matters
Engaging with the student population allows candidates to build support among younger voters and discuss issues that impact both the campus and the surrounding Ames area. This outreach effort provides students with a direct opportunity to vet the individuals seeking to represent them in upcoming legislative and local government roles.
The event featured contenders for State Auditor and Story County Board of Supervisors District 1 and District 3. Official ballots for these races will be finalized when Election Day takes place on November 3.
The players
Taylor Wettach
Taylor Wettach is the Democratic candidate for the office of State Auditor.
Chris Cournoyer
Chris Cournoyer is the Republican candidate running for State Auditor.
Linda Murken
Linda Murken is the incumbent Democratic candidate for the Story County Board of Supervisors District 1.
Jeff Staton
Jeff Staton is the Republican candidate for the Story County Board of Supervisors District 1.
Latifah Faisal
Latifah Faisal is the Democratic incumbent candidate for the Story County Board of Supervisors District 3.
The details
Candidates utilized individual tables to distribute campaign literature and conduct face-to-face conversations with students. The session included Democratic and Republican candidates vying for positions ranging from statewide offices to county supervisor seats.
Timeline
The event occurred leading up to the election on October 27, 2026.
Election day is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents and local advocacy groups often challenge such outreach events by questioning the depth of policy discussion versus partisan maneuvering. Critics emphasize that while campus visits increase visibility, they may offer limited substance compared to official debates governed by the Iowa Code requirements for candidate filings.
These interactions directly affect local residents by informing their choices for county and state government officials who oversee regional budgets and policy. Voters should prepare for the upcoming election cycle by reviewing candidate positions to understand potential impacts on local taxes and infrastructure.
The takeaway
Engaging directly with political candidates gives voters a clearer picture of their priorities before the final ballot is cast. Residents are encouraged to utilize resources from the county clerk to ensure they have an updated polling location for the upcoming election.
What happens next
Election day for all participating candidates is November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming local and state races, visit the Elections section.
Live Poll
Do you believe candidate outreach events effectively encourage college students to vote in local elections?
