Nineteen months after Donald Trump was elected president and Republicans swept to full control of the Iowa Statehouse, primary voters will go to the polls on Tuesday. The last year and a half has seen political turmoil in Washington, D.C. and sweeping changes in Des Moines. Iowa Republicans have used their newfound power to push through strict new abortion prohibitions, stripped public employee unions of most of their bargaining rights and passed a $2 billion tax cut package. Democrats have seen the moves as an abomination and yearned for the chance to go back to the polls and win back power, even as Republicans have celebrated their victories and are eager to defend their gains. While not a general election, the primary is nonetheless an important step as the parties speed toward a November confrontation. Here are five things to watch as returns come in and winners are declared: 1.