June 2019
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Where To See The 2020 Candidates During Pride Weekend
Democratic presidential hopefuls will fan out across Des Moines’ East Village this weekend to enjoy the Capital City Pride Fest. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Pete Buttigieg will kick off events Friday evening. Gillibrand is expected to make an appearance at the Blazing Saddle at 7 p.m. Friday, while Buttigieg will speak at the Matthew…
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Bernie Sanders Rolls Out First Round Of Iowa Endorsements
Senator Bernie Sanders is unveiling his first slate of key endorsements from Iowa progressive leaders today. Among them are some local elected officials and party leaders who were first mobilized to activism from Sanders’ previous presidential run, including LULAC State Director Nick Salazar, Dubuque City Councilwoman Kate Larson, and IDP Central Committee Member Emma Schmit.…
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How Kamala Harris’ Pre-Clearance Plan Could Halt Iowa Abortion Restrictions
National attention on abortion access has been heightened this year with states like Alabama and Missouri passing strict laws limiting women’s ability to access the procedure. This has prompted many presidential candidates to speak out and offer their thoughts and plans. In late May, Sen. Kamala Harris announced a plan to prevent states from dramatically…
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Meet The New Iowa Starting Line Team
Four and a half years ago, a group of friends and I gathered around a table in a downtown Des Moines bar to brainstorm what a new Iowa political blog could look like. I had just gotten finished with yet another exhausting campaign cycle, and was ready to do something different. We had a good…
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Control Of U.S. House Runs Through Iowa In 2020
Photos clockwise from top-left: Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), former State Senator Rita Hart (IA-02), Congressman Steve King (IA-04), Congresswoman Cindy Axne (IA-03. Not only is Iowa ground zero for the dozens of Democratic presidential candidates competing for Iowans’ support in 2020, the state will also play a pivotal role in the battle for control of…
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When A Rural Iowa County’s Only Shoe Store Closes
If you’re on the hunt for a new pair of off-brand Crocs or high-end work boots, look no further than Ringgold County, Iowa. But for the county’s residents who are looking for anything in between, a 45-minute drive to Creston, the next county seat over, or an online shopping-spree are the only purchasing options. As…
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It’s Wrong To View Iowa Citizens As Nuisances
There have been plenty of examples that raise questions whether government boards in Iowa truly understand they work for the people, not for government officials and employees — and that they are supposed to be looking out for the best interests of taxpayers. The latest example comes from Polk County, where county officials seemed determined to…
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Ep103: Amy Klobuchar Interview & U.S. Senate Candidate Announcements
The Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard interviews Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar about her plan to help struggling farmers, new restrictive abortion laws, and her Honest Ads proposal. Plus, we talk with Patty Judge about the developing Democratic primary field for Senate, the big upcoming Hall of Fame Dinner, and Trump’s E15 decision.
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Can Iowa Democrats Avoid A Family Feud In 2020?
Can the Iowa Democratic family avoid a repeat of the 2016 family feud that seriously fractured party unity?Because the Sanders-Clinton race was so close that year, there was a plethora of hard feelings and theories about unfair or a rigged result in the 2016 caucuses. Some argue that the deep division dampened support for Hillary…
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Consistency And Iowa Advantage Key For Amy Klobuchar’s Hopes
Senator Amy Klobuchar has so far seen a lower national profile in the 2020 race than some Midwestern Democrats may have hoped. But Iowa is her home field advantage. As more than a few candidates for president have already said – mostly in defense of their own lackluster standings in polls – that this race…
