Vice President 
J.D. Vance rallied voters in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Friday, defending the administration's policies and attacking Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand. The visit, which The Hill reported was his second to the state this election cycle, came as Republican candidates there navigate a complicated political landscape ahead of November.
What did Vance tell the crowd? Speaking at the Mid-America Center, Vance said Democrats had turned into the party of "lunatics" and urged the crowd to "send the crazy packing and get them out of Washington, D.C., and get them out of Des Moines," PBS NewsHour reported. He spoke about job growth and drew cheers for the administration's work on immigration and border security. He also mentioned "most favored nation" prescription drug prices, the policies on not taxing tips or overtime, and protecting Social Security. In the agriculture-heavy state, he said he was perhaps "most proud of what we've been able to do for Iowa farmers," citing efforts to open more global markets to American-grown food.
What did Vance say about Sand? Sand, who The Hill reported is leading in several polls in the contest to succeed Gov. Kim Reynolds, was the target of a roughly seven-minute attack that closed the rally, in which Vance said the Democrat is too far left to lead the state. Vance also called Sand a "career politician" and said he was not a moderate despite his public persona, PBS NewsHour reported. He tried to nationalize the elections as well, invoking Democratic candidates in Kansas, Texas and New York while the state's Democratic ticket has tried to keep its focus local.
Who else was involved? Zach Lahn, the Republican nominee for governor, campaigned alongside Vance, who showered him with effusive praise, PBS NewsHour reported. Missing was Rep. Ashley Hinson, the party's Senate candidate, whose campaign said she did not attend because of previously scheduled events. Council Bluffs is home to Josh Turek, the Democratic Senate nominee, who said in a fundraising appeal before the visit that Vance was coming because "his billionaire bosses are terrified that their grip over Iowa is slipping." Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement that the visit shows Republican candidates are in political trouble in November.
Figures referenced: J.D. Vance. — JudgeMarket.
