Hillary Clinton stops by Hamburg Inn in support of Braley

Patrons at the Hamburg Inn No. 2 got a surprise Wednesday when former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Braley stopped in for pie shakes.

During the visit, Clinton and Braley chatted with patrons about the World Series, the history of the Hamburg and the upcoming Nov. 4 election, among other topics. On her way out, Clinton urged people to vote for Braley, a Democrat running against Republican Iowa state Senator Joni Ernst, in the upcoming election.

"Don't forget: six days," she said.

Many candidates and political figures throughout the years, including former president Bill Clinton, have visited the Hamburg before elections.

Clinton, who is often talked about as a potential presidential candidate, said she ordered a chocolate-bourbon-pecan-flavored pie shake and that it tasted "unbelievable."

Earlier Wednesday, Clinton stumped for Braley in Cedar Rapids at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 405. Last month, she visited Iowa for the first time since her 2008 presidential bid and gave a speech at Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's final steak fry fundraiser.

Earlier this month, first lady Michelle Obama also stumped for Braley at the Iowa Memorial Union, while U.S. senators John McCain and Rand Paul stumped for Ernst in the Iowa City area.

University of Iowa sophomore Julia Davis, who talked with Clinton at the Hamburg on Wednesday, said Clinton's visit took her by surprise. She said she and Clinton talked about the World Series and advice Clinton would give a "college-aged Hillary."

"I asked her for some life advice, and she said to follow your passion," Davis said.

Davis said she cast her vote in the upcoming election early, and that women's rights and college affordability are important issues for her.

Rachel Zuckerman, also a UI sophomore, sat near from Clinton at the Hamburg and said she came running to the restaurant from the University of Iowa Blank Honors Center when she heard the former secretary of state would be there.

"I scurried over as fast as I could and happened to pick the right seat where she would sit next to me," she said.

Zuckerman said Clinton is one of her "biggest role models." She said she talked to Clinton about a job the former first lady had in Alaska during college as well as her other experiences in that state.

Zuckerman said she voted the first day early voting was available. However, she said impromptu visits by figures such as Clinton can help engage other young voters in the political scene leading up to elections.

She said women's rights and college affordability are also important issues at stake for her.

Reach Holly Hines at hhines2@press-citizen.com or at 887-5414.