Um, that will happen In a few days, what structural changes do you feel are needed? I, I have to assume you don't think this is a level playing field for independent candidates.

Oh, correct.

I mean, we were the, really proud to be the first independent campaign in modern state history to meet those qualifications and accept the invite.

You know, neither of the other candidates did accept.

Um, if, only one would have, Iowa Press would've held a debate.

Um, and so they, you know, went to Gray Media, cut a deal to, to have a private debate, and what's really frustrating is at, at first they wouldn't even set out what the cri- what the qualifications were.

We had to have a lawyer send a letter just to get that.

What do you do to restore faith i- in the federal government?

How do you convince a voter to do something that is new and has voted the party line over and over again? How do you convince them to say, hey, take a different path this time?

Yeah, like you said, it's a three-time rematch of the same two partisan candidates in a district like this where it's so tight.

You know, this is one of the tightest districts in the country.

The last election was less than 800 votes.

There's so much outside money that comes in, and really both candidates have just attacked each other so hard that a lot of people are just really fatigued and frustrated with that type of politics.

And so in Iowa right now, you've got a lot of frustration right on the, you know, in our ag sector, rural communities, which are typically more Republican.

They're under a lot of pressure right now.

Right.

But what convinced you to do it?

It is a little bit crazy.

No, that's a great question.

And there certainly is data that goes into it.

One thing, you know, looking at the margin in Congress right now, it's the tightest it's been in 100 years.

You know, the margin in the House is two votes.

You know, people ask me, well, why not run for the State House, you know, first? Why do this? Why run nationally? And, you know, in our State House, Republicans have a two-thirds majority.

So how does this three-time rematch, and are these folks, you know, perennial competitors? Is one always winning? How does that work? How tight is this race? And why would that factor into your your calculus here.

Yes

... exist and that's what they're doing, and that's where they've gotten so disconnected from, you know, the average everyday American.

Part of it's I think because they insulate themselves.

You know, they stay within their echo chambers.

They stay within their safe space.

You know, I, I talk about the candidates I'm running against, you know, I'm out talking to anyone and everyone.

I don't...

And I believe it'd be what? 49 out of 50 states he won?