October 2019
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Theresa Greenfield: “Lessons Of My Life” Guide IA-Sen Campaign
When introducing herself to voters at a Fort Madison sandwich shop, Theresa Greenfield didn’t just highlight her youth on a farm in Minnesota or her successful professional career. Greenfield got personal, telling the small group about the day, at 24 years old, she found out her husband had been killed at work. A union electrician…
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Were Iowa GOP Legislators At ALEC Gerrymandering Panel?
At an annual meeting, members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) had an opportunity to attend a panel called “How to Survive Redistricting.” The panel featured four people considered experts in gerrymandering and defending gerrymandered districts. Legislators at the meeting were given advice about how to draw white, conservative districts by putting more people…
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Joni Ernst: “Yes, I Did Vote To Repeal The ACA”
Today in Templeton, Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst provided a moment that you’ll likely see over and over again on television ads next fall. “Yes, I did vote to repeal the ACA,” Ernst said, when asked by a constituent with a pre-existing condition, to explain her health care voting record. Opposing the ACA is not something…
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Joni Ernst Defends Donald Trump’s Mental State
Just hours after President Donald Trump committed an impeachable offense on the White House lawn by encouraging Ukraine and China to investigate a top political rival, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst defended the President’s mental health. “I think I would probably be upset if someone was constantly on me like that, too,” Ernst said when asked…
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Joni Ernst Again Won’t Link Iowa Disasters To Climate Change
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said Thursday she couldn’t link Iowa’s heavy, continued flooding this year with climate change. During a town hall in Carroll County, Ernst was asked by a voter to make the connection between the heavy spring rains and the record flooding and “carbon in the atmosphere and global environment change.” Both sides…
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No Shortcuts: Kimberly Graham Takes Senate Campaign Across Iowa
While most candidates were consumed with end-of-quarter fundraising in September, U.S. Senate candidate Kimberly Graham volunteered her time to help a young asylum seeker prepare for his immigration hearing. Graham, a children’s rights attorney from Indianola, spent five days in Brownsville, Texas, working with migrants to craft applications for asylum. She observed first-hand the hundreds…
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Latina Candidates Step Up In Local Des Moines Elections
Des Moines is a great place to live; it’s growing fast, it’s diverse and rapidly getting the attention of young Latinx candidates running for office. With local elections slated for Nov. 5, we interviewed two Latinas running for seats on the Des Moines City Council: Marlu Abarca and Chelsea Chism-Vargas. Marlu Abarca, At-Large Marlu Abarca…
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Ep120: Q3 Fundraising, IA-02 Updates, Spirit Awards Interview
Pat Rynard sits down with Libby Meyer to talk about fundraising numbers for Democratic presidential hopefuls at the end of the third quarter and Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ entry into the Republican Primary for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. Nate Monson also joins to talk about Iowa Safe Schools’ upcoming event, the Spirit Awards Dinner, taking place this…
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What Steve Bullock’s Decision To Take Public Financing Means
This election cycle, many candidates have pledged to not rely on political action committees. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who talks often about ridding the system of dark money, has decided to add another layer of transparency to his campaign by accepting public financing. “Taking public financing, I think, really is rooted in those shared values…
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Separate Guns And Mental Health Debate, Patrick Kennedy Urges
Patrick Kennedy knows a thing or two about the effects gun violence has on a family. He also knows about mental health and addiction disorders. Patrick, the youngest son of Ted Kennedy, is open about his past use of OxyContin, alcohol and cocaine. He sought rehabilitation for drug use the day after he crashed his…
