A U.S. Senate candidate in Iowa is attempting to define himself by a return to traditional Democratic principles. Yet, a recent campaign event has cast a stark light on a potential contradiction at the heart of his message.
State Senator Zach Wahls chose to host a campaign gathering at Dog-Eared Books, a local bookstore known for its deeply progressive and often controversial activism. The store’s public stances and activities paint a picture far removed from the “old Democratic values” Wahls champions.
Among the bookstore’s prominent actions are vocal calls for abolishing ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and financial support for organizations actively working against it. This contrasts sharply with Wahls’ own stated commitment to “securing the border” and a “law and order” approach to immigration.
The dissonance doesn’t end there. Dog-Eared Books regularly hosts “drag story time” events for children and actively promotes books that have been removed from school libraries due to their explicit content. These choices stand in opposition to the family values Wahls emphasizes in his campaign materials.
Outside the bookstore during Wahls’ event, a sign boldly proclaimed “ICE IS NOT WELCOME HERE,” a clear indication of the store’s unwavering stance. The event itself, titled “Reading and Running,” featured Wahls alongside his novelist wife, whose books are also sold at the store.
Following recent federal agent-involved shootings, the bookstore didn’t hesitate to express its views, creating merchandise emblazoned with “ABOLISH ICE” and donating a significant portion of its sales to groups with similar ideologies. Some of these groups have received funding from organizations with a history of progressive activism.
Dog-Eared Books has also taken strong positions on issues of gender identity, actively opposing legislation aimed at protecting women’s rights. Furthermore, the store has publicly aligned itself with anti-Israel sentiments, accusing Israel of “genocide” following the October 7th attacks.
The bookstore’s website actively encourages visitors to participate in letter-writing campaigns advocating for policies such as unrestricted access to reproductive healthcare and the assertion that “no human is illegal.” These positions represent a clear and consistent commitment to far-left ideals.
Despite repeated inquiries, Wahls did not respond to questions regarding his awareness of the bookstore’s controversial history or his rationale for choosing it as a campaign venue. The bookstore also remained silent on the matter.
Wahls is currently competing for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Joni Ernst, facing a primary challenge in June. His early rise to prominence came from a viral speech advocating for same-sex marriage, a speech that ultimately led him to meet his wife.
The choice of venue raises fundamental questions about the authenticity of Wahls’ message and the extent to which he is willing to align himself with the most radical elements of the political spectrum.
