Although Iowa isn't deep red like its neighbor to the west, Nebraska, the state has been a frequent source of frustration to Democrats. President Barack Obama won Iowa in both 2008 and 2012, but the state went to Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. And Iowa is home to Religious Right-friendly Republicans...
I strongly disagree with the mental illness tag; I reject any attempt to shift culpability away from their purposeful shitty decisions.
The lack of critical thinking is bang on though.