Gov. Reynolds leads fifth annual GOP trap shoot

On a cold Saturday morning in Newton, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, fresh from her recent gubernatorial debate with Democratic opponent Fred Hubbell, fired several rounds of birdshot during the fifth annual Jasper County Republican Trap Shoot, but only a few hit their mark. When the incumbent did manage to pulverize a clay pigeon, she received uproarious cheers from supporters, many of which toted their own firearms to the fundraiser.

Jasper County Republican Party Chairperson Thad Nearmyer said the trap shoot is one of the most successful and fastest growing fundraising events for the local GOP. Introduced five years ago by a previous chairman, and regularly held at the Jasper County Gun Club, the trap shoot provides a familiar and fitting backdrop for the party and its respected candidates.

Following in the footsteps of former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who made an appearance and participated in the trap shoot about four years ago, Nearmyer said Reynolds wanted to attend the Newton event.

“It was something her and her husband (Kevin Reynolds) put on their calendar months ago,” Nearmyer said. “I think it’s pretty exciting to have them. A lot of people enjoy the shooting, obviously … I think as far as fundraising events go, this is probably the most unique one in the state. People talk about this one outside of Jasper County.”

Also in attendance was Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, U.S. Congress Second District candidate Dr. Christopher Peters, Iowa House District 29 candidate Ann Howell and Rep. Zach Nunn, who is vying for the Iowa Senate District 15 seat. Holding a fundraiser at a gun club, Nunn said, allows candidates to speak with sportsman, hunters, gun enthusiasts and firearm experts about their rights.

“It’s Iowans from every walk of life,” Nunn told the Newton Daily News. “You don’t have to be a Republican, an Independent or a Democrat to not only respect the Second Amendment but to be smart about how we have weapon safety and how we use guns.”

While knocking on the doors of his constituents, the Republican candidate said he has heard their thoughts on that particular subject numerous times. For rural Iowa — which Nunn claimed is overwhelmingly supportive of gun rights — owning and using firearms is a way of life. They tell him it is sport, passion and a means for self defense.

“When I knock on those doors, overwhelmingly what I hear is, ‘Hey, are you a supporter of the Second Amendment?’ We say unequivocally, ‘Yup!’” Nunn said.

Using a Smith & Wesson pump-action, 12-gauge shotgun, Nunn shared firing space with Reynolds and Peters during the trap shoot, finding relative success. He hit a few. He would have probably liked to have hit more, and Nunn was not alone in this thinking.

Later on in the day, Naig spoke with attendees and said the trap shoot was a lot fun but he was little embarrassed at how he did. Peters, using a new gun, had trouble firing the thing. Reynolds sought further instruction in between shots.

Shortly before Reynolds took aim at the orange targets flying out of the traps like frisbees, she took a minute to speak to attendees and party members, stressing the importance of voting in the upcoming election and claiming the Republicans want to keep Iowa moving forward.

“It’s all about turnout,” Reynolds said to the group. “I’m tellin’ ya, if we turn out, we win … Do we keep Iowa moving forward? Or do we stop and reverse course and head backwards? We have really positive things happening in the state and we’re being recognized for it. The facts are undeniable.”

Repeating similar thoughts shared by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, during fundraiser for Nunn, Oct. 9 at Claxon’s Smokehouse & Grill in Altoona, Reynolds said Iowa is the No. 1 state in the country, referencing a recent ranking by U.S. News & World Report.

“We have the second lowest unemployment, third best managed, incomes are going up, taxes are going down, our budget is balanced and we’re invested in education and job training and health care like never before,” Reynolds claimed.

The communication between the house and the senate, she continued, is the best it has ever been, which is why Iowa is “growing jobs and wages and opportunities,” as well as investing in Iowa’s “greatest asset: our young people.”

The governor also took a slight aim at the Democratic Party, telling the trap shoot attendees to not listen to what "the other side is saying" and that Republicans "are addressing Iowa's healthcare."

Delivering her speech like a football coach at half-time, Reynolds said her party is moving Iowa in the right direction, and urged the group to show up on Election Day and talk to their friends and neighbors to encourage them vote.

“Vote early, vote absentee, talk about why this election is important,” Reynolds said. “And if we do that, we’re going to win. So let’s go get ‘em! OK?”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com