How Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate starts his day
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Courtesy of Iowa Secretary of State's Office
When Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate goes to family events and the conversation turns political, you likely won't hear him engage: "I say, 'How about Caitlin Clark?''"
Driving the news: You probably don't need the reminder, but there's a major election Nov. 5, and as head of our elections, Pate is the man behind the scenes, making sure things run smoothly and transparently.
Zoom out: These days, the job nationwide has become more volatile — just last month, someone sent a suspicious package to his office, prompting an evacuation.
- And Republicans and Democrats are reporting less trust in the election system.
Yes, but: Pate, who's spent his career as an entrepreneur and public official, has spent the last few weeks traveling across the state, reassuring Iowans that the state's election system is trustworthy and secure — even if you don't like the results.
- "My concern right now, and somewhat disappointment, is we've become so polarized, and I think that could really impact voter turnout," Pate says.
- "I have confidence in Iowans that they will get past that, and they will do their due diligence, and they'll be out there and make sure they vote."
What's next: On Election Day, don't expect to see him casting his ballot — he already voted early in his hometown of Cedar Rapids.
Here's how Pate starts his day:
⏰ Wake up: Before 6am on Election Day and typically 6am any other day.
🍳 Breakfast: Pate isn't a coffee person, opting for Pepsi instead.
📚 What he's reading: He says he reads a diverse array of news from outlets that lean both left and right.
💡 His advice to people interested in public office: Get involved early — even as early as running for your school's student council.