Youth Vote Turns Out To Annual Iowa Republican Party Reagan Dinner

The youth vote showed up to the Iowa Republican Party's Annual Reagan Dinner Friday Night.

A group from Simpson College's Republican Group scored tickets to the event.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity for networking," said Kyle Hauswirth, 18. "It's pretty awesome."

Young faces could be seen throughout the crowd of roughly 1,000 people, and they were looking for talk about education and jobs. 

Hauswirth is no stranger to political campaigns. He worked on Gov. Terry Branstad's election last fall.

"I worked for Branstad and Lt. Gov. (Kim) Reynolds," he said. "It's great that young people are getting involved. I talked a lot to Lt. Gov. Reynolds about that, having youth working."

Ronald Forsell, 20 of Norfolk, NE, attended the dinner with the Republican group from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake.

"We couldn't turn down the evening," he said. "I think it's nothing but good (the number of young voters attending). In 2008, there was a huge gap. Obama got a lot of youth votes and the Republicans didn't. I think if they get the youth to an event like this, hopefully they will carry over and support whoever the candidate is."

While Forsell isn't currently working a campaign, he plans to jump on board with Ron Paul before the caucus on Jan. 3.

"I've been a Paul supporter for some time," he said. "I like what he has to say. It's refreshing to hear someone with new ideas on foreign policy and economic issues. He's the best candidate."

Sarah Thyne, 29, of Clinton, traveled to Des Moines for the dinner with a group from Bridgepoint Education, a company providing higher education and online learning opportunities.

"We're open to hear everyone out," she said. "We've made no decision, perhaps we have favorites and interest in views and what they say."

Education was the top issue Thyne hoped to hear about on Friday.

"We don't hear much about that," she said. "That's not exactly the focus because the focus is on jobs. Not the education and how people will get those jobs or get the qualifications for those jobs." 

A focus on the economy and national debt was on Hauswirth's agenda.
"Jobs is a big one," he said.