Trump Refiles Lawsuit Against Iowa Pollster in State Court

Donald Trump has taken steps to retract a federal lawsuit targeting Iowa pollster J. Anne Selser and the Des Moines Register. On Monday, he submitted the suit to state court after accusing them of “brave election interference” related to the last Iowa presidential poll before the 2024 election.

Alongside Iowa Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks and former Senator Bradley Zaun, Trump issued a notice of dismissal for the lawsuit in the Southern District of Iowa Federal Court. However, the case was subsequently filed in Polk County District Court.

Trump’s legal team requested a move to state court back in May after the lawsuit was initially dismissed federally, but that request was denied by a federal judge at the time.

A lawyer representing Trump confirmed that the lawsuit was only dismissed in federal court, emphasizing that it remains “very alive.”

Meanwhile, Selser has expressed her frustration, stating, “They are accusing me of crime.” Bob Korn Leber, the lead attorney for Selser, informed that no settlement has been reached and criticized Trump’s legal moves as unfounded. He pointed out that these actions appear to be a maneuver to avoid the consequences of challenging a legal process.

Lark Marie Anton, a spokesperson for the Des Moines Register, criticized Trump’s legal strategy, suggesting it’s a tactic to sidestep the dismissal of the case in federal court. She remarked, “While such procedural operations may not be permitted by the court, it is clearly intended to avoid the inevitable consequences of President Trump’s litigation.”

The original lawsuit, filed in December, claimed that the Des Moines Register and Selser engaged in election interference, alleging the poll was a tactic to sway the outcome of the upcoming election. The suit contended that the polls aimed to create a false narrative regarding Kamala Harris’s standing just before the presidential vote.

Selser’s poll had positioned Harris three points ahead of Trump in Iowa just days before the election, reflecting a significant shift from earlier data. Seltzer’s polling was noteworthy for its accuracy, and analysts speculated it indicated potential shifts in Midwest voting patterns.

In the end, Trump won Iowa by a margin of over 13 points. Shortly after the election, Selser announced her departure from polling activities, indicating a move toward new ventures.