October 23, 2018


  • News

    Why Local Iowa Democratic Campaign Ads Look So Good This Year

    When you’re a candidate running for the state legislature in Iowa, your campaign budget is always tight. There’s only so many places you can raise money from, the districts are relatively small and your official campaign team may mostly be volunteers. If you’re a “targeted” race, you get more help from the state party, but…


  • News

    Julian Garrett Confirms He’d Make 14-Year-Old Rape Victims Carry Pregnancy

    State Senator Julian Garrett doubled down on the most extreme consequences of an abortion bill he voted for last year during a forum in Indianola on Monday night. Answering a question from his Democratic challenger Vicky Brenner, Garrett confirmed he supports a scenario in which a 14-year-old girl who was raped by a family member…


  • Politics

    Kamala Harris Helps Take Deidre DeJear To The Finish Line

    California Senator Kamala Harris made her big Iowa debut this week, barnstorming Central and Eastern Iowa over two days to boost Democratic candidates up and down the ticket. Among those candidates getting some help were Cindy Axne, Amber Gustafson and Heather Matson, but one Iowa Democrat got a lot of extra attention: Deidre DeJear. Democrats’…


  • News

    Ep66: National Dem Visits & Gov. John Hickenlooper Interview

     Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard discusses all the recent visits from Democrats’ top national stars in Iowa and what help it gives to local candidates. And we interview Governor John Hickenlooper about his policy success in Colorado, his 2020 considerations and what he thought of Iowa’s local beer scene.


  • Politics

    Memo Details Iowa Farm Bureau’s Plan To Buy Sec Of Ag Race

    Starting Line has obtained a memo from the Iowa Farm Bureau that lays out their plan to use corporate donations from the agriculture industry to fund an independent expenditure group created solely to swing the Secretary of Agriculture race to Republican Mike Naig. In the memo from Don Petersen, the Farm Bureau’s Director of Government…


  • News

    Iowa Sees Largest Drop In Energy Rating After Gary Carlson’s Bill

    Iowa’s national role as a leader in clean energy took a major hit thanks to a Republican-passed bill (SF 2311) in 2018. State Representative Gary Carlson spearheaded the effort, and Governor Reynolds signed it into law this past May. The bill cripples Iowa’s 28-year history of energy efficiency programs with massive cuts. It also allows…