Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ELECTION 2012
ELECTION 2012. On Saturday, November 3, 2012, for the first time in its history, the City of Dubuque hosted both the candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties for President of the United States.
Republican candidate Mitt Romney held a rally at the DUBUQUE REGIONAL AIRPORT at 12:00 p.m. Scheduled to attend with him was NASCAR racing legend Richard Petty.
President Barack Obama held a rally at WASHINGTON PARK with entertainment provided by recording star John Cougar Mellencamp.
It was the second visit of both candidates to Dubuque. Romney and his wife Ann hosted a boat ride for supporters on June 18th. President Obama and his wife Michelle held a rally at the Port of Dubuque on August 15th. Both vice-presidential candidates Joe Biden (Democrat) and Paul Ryan (Republican) visited the city during the year.
Iowa's popularity was due to its first-in-the-nation caucus which propelled Obama to a leading contender for the Democratic nomination in 2008. The state in 2012 was considered an important swing state with six electoral college votes.
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Source:
Murphy, Erin. "Romney, Obama Target Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, Nov. 1, 2012