From Kim Kardashian promoting a weight loss lollipop to Mark Wahlberg promoting his own workout supplements, any quick scroll through Instagram or Twitter will reveal celebrities endorsing products.

This year, however, people may again start to see a new type of endorsements in Iowa: political celebrity endorsements.

Political endorsements from national candidates are nothing new. Presidents and others have endorsed local candidates before. However, with the recent divisive political election, some national candidates have been elevated to celebrity status. President Trump’s endorsement of a candidate over another can completely swing an election in an otherwise tight race.

This last Sunday, former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, came to Iowa and Iowa State to show his support for Democratic candidate for Congress J.D. Scholten and increase excitement for participating in the electoral process.  

Scholten is running against long-time incumbent Steve King.

Regardless of political affiliation, national political celebrities campaigning for smaller candidates in Iowa, or around the country, helps bring relevance (in the eyes of some voters) to the midterm elections. Usually, midterm elections have a lower turnout than presidential election cycles.

With the recent rise in the political polarization, this year’s midterm elections could be the most important in history — NPR reporting that this year’s midterm voter turnout could be the highest in 50 years.

However, there is a counterpoint: why should a national candidate be involved in local politics? What do they know about how rural Iowa?

Sometimes, nothing. But they can help bring people who otherwise wouldn’t be involved in local politics, out to vote. Which is something both parties can get behind. In order for democracy to work, people need to vote. Otherwise, what’s the point?

In the end, a little bit of national spotlight can’t hurt a local race as national candidate’s interest in a race shows how important local elections are.