2016
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Republican In-Fighting Undermines Effort To Oust Mike Gronstal
Three candidates are running in the Republican primary in Council Bluffs to take on Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal. Among them are Dan Dawson, the preferred candidate of Republican leadership, Al Ringgenberg, the 2012 nominee, and Mark Hansen, a business owner and Republican activist. Things between the top two candidates – Dawson and Ringgenberg –…
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Will Progressives Split Their Vote In The U.S. Senate Race?
What will progressive voters do on Tuesday when it comes to the Democrats’ Senate primary? The talk online has centered around two candidates: State Senator Rob Hogg, an experienced legislator with a proven progressive record who wrote a book on climate change; and Tom Fiegen, who has tied his candidacy to Bernie Sanders’ and been…
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The Fiercest Iowa Primary Battle In 2016? This Newton House Seat
While most of the state is focused on the major Democratic primaries in the U.S. Senate race, 1st and 3rd Congressional, the most contentious intra-party battle is playing out in Newton. Three-term incumbent State Representative Dan Kelley faces a particularly strong primary challenge from fellow Democrat Wes Breckenridge, and very well could be the first…
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A Day On The Trail With Jim Mowrer
Jim Mowrer has heard this speech before. Sitting at a table in Plymouth Church’s Waveland Hall two weeks ago, Mowrer listened as Mike Sherzan gave his pitch about his business background and issues he cared about. The speech Desmund Adams gave later hit on his usual key topics of building coalitions to win elections. And…
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Progressive Groups Come Out In Force For Jo Oldson’s Primary
The Jo Oldson-Eddie Mauro primary battle continues to lead the state in Democratic early voting, with 1,640 absentee ballots requested as of yesterday. House District 41 covers the west side of Des Moines proper, along with a part of the South Side. The district is solidly Democratic, and no Republican has filed to run. Oldson has…
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Young Progressive Group In Des Moines Grows, Hosts Fundraiser Today
Guest post from our friends at New Leaders Council – Join their fundraiser in Des Moines later today Progressive leadership has been developing in Des Moines as the 2016 New Leaders Council (NLC) class of fellows prepares for their final institute weekend and fundraising event. In January, this year’s class started their NLC journey toward personal…
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First Critical Ad Up In 3rd District Primary, Other Hits Surface
Just mid-last week, the campaigns of Jim Mowrer and Mike Sherzan were discussing a pledge to keep things positive for the remainder of the 3rd District primary. Whatever loose agreement they constructed quickly went out the window at the 3rd District debate last Wednesday, though the criticisms there of each other were relatively light. Democrats…
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A Day On The Trail With Monica Vernon
Monica Vernon’s Memorial Day started like many other Iowans: doing a little bit of yard work. She picked several pink peonies from her garden to fill a vase to welcome home her youngest daughter, Eleanor, flying in later in the day. That was about all there was time for, though, as her campaign manager arrived to…
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When The Establishment Fails To Back The “Establishment” Candidate
What do you get when the so-called “establishment” fails to back the so-called “establishment” candidate? The Iowa Senate Democratic primary, apparently. Throughout this year’s presidential primary, both Republicans and Democrats have obsessed over “establishment” politics, and which candidates the powers to be are backing. Typically aligning themselves with the seemingly more moderate or electable candidate,…
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Democrats Keep Up Pressure On David Young’s “Vote-Switching Scandal”
Democrats in Iowa are working to make sure that voters don’t forget about David Young’s recent votes on LGBT protections in defense and energy spending bills. The first-term Congressman in the 3rd District is seen as potentially vulnerable this November, and any high-profile misstep could tarnish the little-known Young. At a 3rd District Democratic debate…
