A swing band and a Winnebago: Inside Democrat Fred Hubbell's victory party

Iowa's Democratic nominee for governor Fred Hubbell kicked off his victory speech Tuesday evening with a moment of levity. But it didn't take long for the businessman to get serious about the challenge ahead as he seeks to unseat Iowa's Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Hubbell was smiling as he climbed the stairs of a stage at the River Center in downtown Des Moines shortly after 10 p.m. Dressed in a trim navy suit, white dress shirt and sky blue tie, the candidate stood in front of nearly a dozen supporters as he took the podium.

Echoes of "Fred! Fred! Fred!" bounced off the brick and wood-paneled walls of the events center, which sits across from Principal Park and sports a view of the Iowa Capitol in the distance. John Deere-green signs painted the place. Many read: “Corn Fed, Iowa Bred, Voting for Fred.”

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The usually-serious Hubbell began his speech with a self-deprecating joke. He said the question he's most often asked on the trail is whether or not he actually does the dishes at home — a nod to one of his primary campaign commercials that featured him washing dishes with his wife, Charlotte.

"You all have seen the ad," he said. "You know Charlotte's not going to let me get away with not doing the dishes."

But he quickly pivoted to attacking the current governor, decrying what he called "heartless and misguided policies" from the GOP administration.

His focus reflected attitudes of many in the room: Few fretted that Hubbell, ahead in the polls, would win the Democratic party's nomination. Instead, many were gearing up for him to face Reynolds in the general election before Tuesday's votes were even counted.

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Susy Robinette, a former television anchor and friend of the candidate, said Hubbell’s background in business and philanthropy prepared him best to challenge Reynolds.

“He’s got a great depth of knowledge about all the issues,” said Robinette, a longtime friend of the candidate. “I think he really understands the workings of state government. I think he’s going to be able to raise a lot of money. I think he’ll be super competitive.”

Outside of Hubbell's victory party, an Iowa-made Winnebago wrapped in campaign signage greeted supporters at the front door.

Inside, a swing band — complete with a double bass and clarinet — performed before votes were tallied.

One group of Hubbell supporters rode to the party in the back of a black stretch limousine — a detail Republicans quickly used to criticize the wealthy candidate on Twitter.

But Hubbell's party was mostly a casual affair.

There were few suits or neckties. Friends, family and supporters sipped on Tito’s vodka, chilled white wine and Coors Lights as Trellis Catering stocked a buffet of prosciutto, salami and watermelon slices.

The event was attended by some of Iowa’s most prominent Democrats: Iowa’s 40th Gov. Chet Culver, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge all were on hand.

Culver said Hubbell was the best Democrat to challenge Reynolds. The campaign will look to indict the way Republicans have handled education, the state budget and the privatization of Medicaid. On all those issues, Hubbell will match up "extremely well," Culver said.

“It really comes down to one question: Are we on the right track with Reynolds or the wrong track?" he said. "And I think Iowans will decide we’re on the wrong track when it comes to funding healthcare, when it comes to mental health, when it comes to education, when it comes to Medicaid.”

And Hubbell's nomination should ignite Democrats across the state, helping candidates up and down the ballot, Culver said.

“He will generate the enthusiasm and the excitement Democrats need to win in November,” he said. “I think he’s going to help the ticket immensely. We’ve got great candidates running up and down the ballot all across Iowa. This ticket’s going to be as strong as it’s been in a long time."

A crowd of more than 250 supporters grew as the vote tallies began coming in after 9 p.m. The crowd largely abandoned padded wooden chairs and took to their feet as Hubbell spoke.

After his victory speech, Hubbell remained at the venue, posing for pictures, shaking hands and receiving hugs. While he declined media interviews, he spoke with dozens of well wishers who hung around watching results of other races and sipping on wine and beer long after television crews had left for the night.

At 11:15 p.m., Hubbell and his wife slipped through the kitchen door, exiting at the rear of the building.

His exit was cheered on, again, with a few shouts of "Fred! Fred! Fred!"