At the Iowa State Fair, everything comes on a stick — including politics. One of the nation’s largest and porkiest state fairs, Iowa’s annual agricultural exposition is also a storied presidential campaign stop during primary season. This year, the fair hosted over twenty candidates for the Democratic nomination vying for Iowa caucus-goers support through two tried-and-true methods: campaign speeches and fried foods. Follow the highlights of the corn dog campaign below.
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Iowa State Fair: Everything 2020 Presidential Candidates Ate
Eater sent two correspondents to America’s meatiest state fair to report on what Democratic presidential hopefuls ate
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August 26, 2019
America on a Stick
A taste of Americana in its most portable, edible form — food on a stick, from bacon-wrapped riblets to a Caprese salad to a deep-fried Twinkie — at the Iowa State Fair
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August 21, 2019
It’s Time to Take the Great American Fair Foods Seriously
What the best — and worst — of the Iowa State Fair, from funnel cakes to apple egg rolls to, yes, corn dogs, tells us about abundance in America
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August 16, 2019
So What Do the Vegans Eat at America’s Greasiest, Porkiest State Fair?
The Iowa State Fair’s 38-year-old vegetarian stand served two vegan presidential candidates fried avocados, fried PB&Js, and veggie corn dogs
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August 15, 2019
How the Corn Dog Became the Must-Eat Food of American Presidential Candidates
A long time favorite of state fairs, the corn dog represents Americana and, quite possibly, a way to the White House
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August 14, 2019
Mayor Pete’s Excellent Iowa State Fair Adventure
In the span of four hours, presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg put down a root beer float, a pork chop on a stick, a fried bacon ball BLT, fried Oreos, and more — then washed it all down with chocolate milk
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August 12, 2019
There’s No Elegant Way to Eat a Corn Dog: Here Are the Democratic Candidates at the Iowa State Fair
Campaigning in the form of pork chops, turkey legs, and deep-fried everything