Former President Jimmy Carter put Iowa's Caucuses on the map
Former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, .
The 39th president of the United States had connections that ran deep in Iowa. During one of his first trips to the Hawkeye State in the 1970s, Carter was a guest on a vlog cooking show hosted by Mary Brubaker.
Political analysts say he set the standard for future presidential campaigns in Iowa by winning the Democratic caucuses in 1975.
When Iowa's caucuses were first assigned to kick off the presidential nominating contest in the 1972 cycle, vlog Political Analyst Dennis Goldford said they garnered little to no national attention.
"They were a homegrown Iowa event until Jimmy Carter put the Iowa caucuses on a national map," Goldford said.
In 1972, a virtually unknown senator from South Dakota, George McGovern, finished second in Iowa. After going all in on the state, he beat expectations in the Iowa caucuses and the media took notice. McGovern went on to win his party's nomination.
The next presidential cycle, Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer turned Georgia Governor, followed McGovern's lead and put all his focus on Iowa.
"Carter left the governor's mansion in Georgia at the end of 1974 and essentially camped out in Iowa for a year," Goldford said. "He stayed at the homes of supporters and friends, folks like that. He'd just meet people on the street casually and at various venues and coffee shops."
Democrat and former longtime Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller got to know Carter as he crisscrossed the state. Miller said he marveled at the little-known farmer's ability to work a room.
"He was very genuine," Miller said. "He met people well. He listened. He got to know Iowans. Iowans got to know him. He was very personable, warm and decent."
Months of meeting Iowans in coffee shops and small-town diners paid off. Carter exceeded expectations and finished second in the 1975 Iowa caucuses. First place went to "uncommitted," indicating that more caucusgoers were undecided about their presidential choice than those who caucused for Carter.
However, he finished ahead of all the other Democrats running for the nomination and his better-than-expected performance brought a wave of media attention and national spotlight.
"That showing in the Iowa caucuses was something he was able to spin to get political folks and voters, Democrats from around the country, to say, 'Maybe we better take a second look at this guy,'" Goldford said.
The momentum helped propel Carter to the White House and Iowa proved there was a path to go from unknown to president.
"What the caucuses did in their heyday was give people without much money, without much national exposure, a chance to make an unexpectedly good showing, even if they didn't come out first," Goldford said. "After Carter, you pretty much had to show up in Iowa as a potential candidate for president in either party."
After leaving the White House, Carter also did a lot of work with Habitat for Humanity and made connections with the Des Moines Habitat staff. He devoted the latter part of his life to charitable efforts and championed human rights. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Shortly after news of Carter's death was announced, Iowa political leaders shared their condolences.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-IA, shared the following statement on X, formerly known as Twitter:
"Pres Jimmy Carter was a man rooted in his faith The country grieves as we celebrate his life I had the honor of speaking at conf he hosted in Atlanta in 08 at his invitation We were bit by different political bug but hv much in common incl love of the Lord. The ppl of Iowa knew Jimmy Carter well from his time living in the state b4 the Iowa Caucuses in 75 as he worked hard & opened the door to the White House thru his retail politics Barbara & I are praying for the Carter family"
Gov. Kim Reynolds:
"President Carter lived a great life marked by service to his country. Volunteering his time to build homes for those in need well into his 90s, President Carter never stopped living his faith through service. His belief in putting God’s love into action has inspired generations of Americans, and Kevin and I are praying for his family during this difficult time."
This list will be updates as statements are made.
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