A pair of Iowa congressional races in this year's midterm elections could determine who controls the U.S. House.
Results of a new poll showed Iowans will support candidates who prioritize clean drinking water. In addition to clean water, addressing the state's high cancer rate is among voters' top priorities.
Sam Bernhardt, political director of Food and Water Action, said a nonpartisan poll conducted for the group showed tighter regulations on commercial agriculture operations are also popular.
"Iowans believe that the rising cancer rates that we're seeing around the state are more of a serious concern than even cost of living," Bernhardt reported. "At a time when cost of living is itself broadly understood to be a national issue."
The poll showed nearly 80% of Iowans support tighter regulations on the ag industry. Environmental researchers have called on state lawmakers to increase funding for water monitoring and tightening manure application guidelines.
Factory farms have endured years of criticism for manure and runoff which pollutes nearby ground and surface water. Bernhardt added political affiliation hardly matters when it comes to the issue, and regulations are broadly supported across party lines.
"When I say broadly, not only do Democrats and not only do Independents strongly support regulations that actually hold this industry accountable but Republicans do, too," Bernhardt explained.
Operators said they are adhering to state and federal safety standards but half dozen rivers, lakes and streams were recently placed on a list of endangered waterways in Iowa. The state's Department of Natural Resources is currently taking public input on what happens next with those waterways.