2018
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Where Are The 2020 Women At? Governing, Mostly.
Here they come. A deluge of potential 2020 presidential candidates is set to make appearances throughout Iowa over the next few weeks. The lead-off caucus state has seen its fair share of White House hopefuls make the rounds here since the 2016 election, but the upcoming gauntlet of the Wing Ding Dinner, the State Fair…
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About 100,000 Iowa Households Can’t Meet Basic Needs
From the Iowa Policy Project. Our 6th edition of The Cost of Living in Iowa finds that roughly 100,000 Iowa working households are unable to make basic needs. [1] Put another way, about 17 percent — or 1 in 6 — households cannot get by on their income alone. It is a critical number that should inform countless public policy…
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The State Of Iowa Races Three Months Out
Iowans will head to the voting booth three months from today on November 6 to vote in one of the most consequential elections in the state’s history. How are each of the major contests shaping up at this stage, two months after the primary and following a relatively quiet summer? Democrats have been optimistic about…
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The Battle For Political Yard Signs
It’s political yard sign season and Democrats are falling behind Republicans in the number, size and visibility of their candidates’ signage. Some Democrats are getting very frustrated, especially Democratic County Chairs who missed opportunities for placement of candidate signs at parades and county fairs in June and July. Reynolds’ signs are popping up like mushrooms…
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Taylor Van De Krol Wins Contested Convention For Senate District 15 Nod
Taylor Van De Krol, a 26-year-old Senate clerk, aide to Matt McCoy and former county party chair will be Democrats’ nominee for their must-hold Senate District 15 seat. Democratic central committee members from Jasper and Polk counties met this evening in Colfax, picking Van De Krol on the first ballot with 55% of the vote…
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Ep48: Early 2020 Moves & Eric Gjerde Interview
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard talks with producer Chance Dorland about the early moves from 2020 contenders and the odd field Democrats could find themselves caucusing for soon. And we talk with special education teacher Eric Gjerde about his campaign for House District 67. He was just endorsed yesterday by Barack Obama.
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Iowa’s “Trade Secrets” Law Shouldn’t Trump Transparency
The Iowa Legislature wrote some wonderful concepts into the state’s government transparency laws. For example: “This chapter seeks to assure, through a requirement of open meetings of government bodies, that the basis and rationale of governmental decisions, as well as those decisions themselves, are easily accessible to the people. Ambiguity in the construction or application…
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Barack Obama Announces Endorsements In Iowa Races
Former President Barack Obama is getting involved in the midterm races for Democrats in key races around the country. This morning he released a round of endorsements for candidates in 14 states, including Iowa. On his Iowa list was secretary of state candidate Deidre DeJear, secretary of agriculture candidate Tim Gannon and four candidates for…
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Ep47: Flipping The Statehouse With Flip It Iowa
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard sits down with Flip It Iowa co-founders Jim Lewers and Temple Hiatt to discuss their grassroots organization that’s connecting swing district legislative Democratic candidates with blue city donors. Plus, an update on our fundraisers.
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Rising Progressive Star Rep. Ro Khanna Stumps In Iowa For Democrats
Congressman Ro Khanna stumped for local Democrats in Iowa this weekend while pitching his unique brand of progressive vision mixed with Silicon Valley innovation. It’s his second trip out to the state after visiting for a Pete D’Alessandro congressional event back in May during the primary. Khanna drew a large crowd of over 100 people to…
