Canceled GOP Presidential Debate Causes Little Disruption for Johnston

The of the Des Moines Register GOP Presidential Debate won't change much in Johnston.

The debate, which was to be held Dec. 19 at studios in Johnston, was canceled, the Register reported Thursday.

 public information officer Lt. Lynn Aswegan said the department typically assists security teams during presidential debates at IPTV.

"The primary security is done by the security personnel that travels with that candidate," Aswegan said. "They usually do reach out to the local law enforcement to include us on any security-related assistance or input."

The Johnston Police Department's involvement is solely based on if candidates' campaigns perceive the need for help from local law enforcement.

"It varies depending on the event," Aswegan said of the Johnston department's involvement. "And their intelligence or information they have surrounding who is going to be there."

For the debate at Iowa Public Television, Aswegan said a few sergeants and detectives were coordinating assistance.

For the city's part, City Administrator Jim Sanders said it has little involvement in the debate.

"Really, the city doesn't have involvement besides with the police providing for support," he said. "The only thing is typically when you have these events they (candidates) plaster campaign signs on our right of ways. So we do have significant time with staff out making sure they follow city codes."

At times city employees move signs if they are placed in a spot they should not be.

"So it really doesn't affect the city except for the police department and code enforcement," Sanders said. 

The debate was one of three scheduled within a span of 10 days beginning Dec. 10.

Instead, the Register will join ABC News, Yahoo and the Republican Party of Iowa to sponsor a debate that was already scheduled for Dec. 10 at Drake University in Des Moines.

Prior to the Jan. 3 caucuses, the only other Iowa debate will be held Dec. 15 in Sioux City. It is sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa and Fox News.

The Family Leader is hosting a candidate forum Saturday in Des Moines. Check for live coverage starting at 4 p.m.