Trump’s Legal Victory: Iowa Pollster Lawsuit Transferred to State Court

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit denied Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer’s appeal. This decision marks yet another legal win for President Donald Trump and paves the way for his “election interference” lawsuit to be heard in Iowa state court.

Trump’s legal team has accused Selzer and the Des Moines Register of what they describe as “brazen election interference” after Selzer’s polls indicated that Trump was trailing Democrat Kamala Harris just before the 2024 Iowa elections.

Originally, Trump sought to have the case moved to Iowa state court in May once the defendants transferred it to federal court. However, a federal judge denied his request, and now the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has backed that decision.

Last month, the Eighth Circuit granted Trump a significant victory by accepting his motion for a writ of mandamus, which essentially instructs a lower court to correct legal errors. This allowed Trump to treat the case as dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning he could refile it in Iowa state court.

The defendants had called on the Eighth Circuit for relief, but the case remains closed. Court Clerk Susan Bindler stated that both motions for rehearing were denied.

Bob Cohn Revere, the principal counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights Expression (FIRE), representing Selzer, released a statement saying this procedural decision doesn’t alter the facts of the case. He asserted that there’s no substantial evidence to support what he termed as a “frivolous allegation,” and believes this will ultimately be demonstrated in court.

A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team emphasized their commitment to holding accountable those who they believe spread misinformation. They claimed that mere hours before losing, Harris disseminated a misleading poll from Selzer, aiming to create the illusion that she was leading in Iowa and other regions. According to them, this misinformation was intended to undermine Trump’s solid campaign just before the polls closed.

If the lawsuit is continued in Iowa state court, Gannett, the parent company of the Des Moines Register, expressed confidence that the matter would be judged fairly. Meanwhile, they maintain that the case rightly belongs in federal court, given its nature and the involvement of the President.

Selzer’s final poll had shown Harris with a three-point lead over Trump just three days before the election, a shift from Trump’s earlier lead of four points. This polling was widely publicized due to Selzer’s historically accurate predictions, leading many to speculate about a change in voter sentiment. Ultimately, however, Trump won Iowa by over 13 points, marking a decisive victory and his third consecutive win in the state.

After the election, Selzer indicated she would be moving on from the polling business, concluding her role in this contentious election cycle.