Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) sparked controversy Thursday when she criticized Iowa for being “too White” during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on government efficiency.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) testified before the committee, detailing efforts to streamline government operations. However, instead of discussing policy, Pressley focused on Iowa’s demographics.
“Do you know what percentage of Iowans are White and what percentage are Black?” Pressley asked.
Reynolds acknowledged Iowa has a majority White population but did not cite exact figures. Pressley then lectured:
“That’s correct. Iowa is 90% White and only 4.5% Black. So that is drastically different from the national population. So when Republicans suggest Iowa should be a national model, they’re advocating for a government that doesn’t reflect our country.”
A clip of Pressley’s remarks quickly circulated online, with critics accusing her of racially divisive rhetoric.
Pressley, who represents Massachusetts, failed to acknowledge that her own state’s Black population is only 7.5%—not far from Iowa’s.
Additionally, California, often praised by Democrats as a progressive model, has a Black population of only 6%. Yet, Pressley did not question whether California “reflects” America.
This isn’t the first time Pressley has made racially charged remarks. In 2024, she claimed “White men are failing up”, continuing a pattern of divisive rhetoric.
Critics argue that competent governance, not racial quotas, should define leadership models. Reynolds focused on efficiency, while Pressley turned the discussion into identity politics—a move some say distracts from real policy debates.
Critics argue that Pressley’s focus on racial demographics ignores Iowa’s economic successes and low unemployment rates, which have made the state a model for conservative governance. Instead of addressing policy effectiveness, Pressley framed the discussion around race, leading many to question whether identity politics is overshadowing substantive legislative debates in Washington.
Supporters of Governor Reynolds pointed out that Iowa’s policies focus on economic growth, education, and government efficiency, rather than racial composition. They argue that Pressley’s remarks reflect a broader trend among progressives who prioritize demographic representation over proven governance models, dismissing successful conservative-led states based solely on racial statistics.
