DAVENPORT – Last-minute phone calls spurring voters to the polls have given way to staring at a large-screen television at the Scott County Republican headquarters, where more than 150 people are gathered to wait for election results.

Adela Rasso, 31, of Davenport, wears an “I voted” sticker and a sticker for John Archer, who is running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District against incumbent Dave Loebsack.

“I like how he’s so genuine and speaks the truth,” Rasso says of Archer, 40, of Bettendorf.

Rasso immigrated to the United States from Mexico 15 years ago, learned English and completed a Master’s degree. She doesn’t like how Democrats coddle people on welfare.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it,” Rasso said. “It’s just easier to be on food stamps.”

Russell Alderin, 48, of Muscatine, supports Archer because of his openness to reducing regulation on industries, including trucking. Alderin has driven for FedEx for 20 years and doesn’t like new physical requirements and fingerprinting every four years.

“Archer was very open,” Alderin said. “I couldn’t even get him (Loebsack) to return my calls.”

Jean Keppy, 64, of Davenport, said Archer, an attorney for Deere & Co, is used to negotiating.

“He’ll go in withe idea that he won’t get everything he want, but he’ll get a little,” Keppy said. “That compromise is what Washington needs right now.”

Loebsack, 59, of Iowa City, was elected to Congress in 2006.