National Democrats have, in turn, largely walked away from the state. With Iowa’s Republican elder statesman Sen. Charles E. Grassley on the ballot for his eighth term, his Democratic challenger, Michael Franken, has not received money or support from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Grassley’s seat is considered so safe that national Republicans also have largely left the race alone.

“I really feel like the national Democratic Party has taken a hands-off approach with Iowa this year, to the point that I think some of us might feel a little neglected or even kind of left out of their conversations,” said Candella Foley-Finchem, a Franken supporter from Glenwood who attended a campaign event in Council Bluffs on Wednesday.

That lack of investment from above might be a blessing in disguise for Franken. A recent Des Moines Register Iowa Poll from legendary pollster J. Ann Selzer raised eyebrows in Iowa and beyond with results showing Grassley leading Franken among likely voters 46 percent to 43 percent — within the margin of error. The same poll in July had Grassley up by eight points.

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Who is Franken courting?

On the trail and in interviews, Franken insists that his campaign is about the future of the country, but he also harks back to progressive moments in Iowa’s history — such as the state’s trailblazing effort desegregating public schools. He speaks of a time when “introducing yourself as an Iowan immediately typecast you as this forward-thinking, broad-minded, educated, healthy individual,” suggesting Iowa no longer holds such an identity.

The recent Des Moines Register poll showed independent voters, who make up roughly one-third of Iowa’s registered voters, possibly breaking late for Franken. In July, Franken led Grassley by just one percentage point with independents. He leads by eight in the latest poll.

...https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/23/grassley-franken-poll-iowa-senate/