The politically savvy state of Iowa prides itself on purple voting, boasting a congressional delegation evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. But this year, with a closely matched Senate race and three competitive House seats, the GOP sees an opportunity to turn the state a vibrant shade of red. Big bucks and big-name politicians are helping the effort. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was in Cedar Falls Wednesday, stumping for Republican businessman Rod Blum, who is running against Democratic state lawmaker Pat Murphy in the 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of eastern and northeastern Iowa. The seat is open because...