October 2019


  • Politics

    Steve King Stands By Trump In Abandoning American Allies

    Iowa Congressman Steve King proved yesterday he will stand by Donald Trump even when the President’s actions lead to the slaughter of American allies. King was one of only 60 Republican congressmembers to side with Trump during a House vote Wednesday on a resolution to condemn Turkey’s invasion of the country, a vote that was…


  • Politics

    Social Security Works, Iowa Groups Mobilize To Defeat Joni Ernst

    Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst was criticized Wednesday by an unlikely source — a famous singer-turned-Social Security advocate. Jon “Bowser” Bauman, a member of the 1970’s-era band “Sha Na Na,” now is a senior advisor to Social Security Works, a national organization working to protect one of the nation’s most popular public benefits. Bauman also is…


  • Politics

    Can Warren’s Fundraising Pledge Cut Down On Voter Cynicism?

    Elizabeth Warren’s pledge to do no fundraising call time to big donors or hold high-dollar fundraisers was met initially with skepticism from some political insider circles this year, until it started working. Now Warren sits near the top of the field with money raised and cash on hand, largely fueled through small-dollar donors. Last week,…


  • Politics

    Ernst In Trouble As More Ads On Social Security, Impeachment Target Her

    As an incumbent Republican running in a swing state in the same year an unpopular president is up for reelection, Iowa’s Joni Ernst already had a target on her back. In light of controversial comments on Social Security, a struggling farm economy and an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, her path to a second term…


  • Politics

    Buttigieg And Warren Are Taking Big Gambles With Iowa Implications

    The fourth presidential debate seemed to mark yet another new chapter in the Democratic primary, with Elizabeth Warren taking all the attention of a front-runner, and Pete Buttigieg debuting a more aggressive approach. Those new dynamics at play got plenty of ink in relation to the national picture, but where the real consequences could play…


  • News

    Ep123: Car Time with Rob Sand, Patty Judge Talks Trump & EPA

    Patty Judge returns to co-host with Josh Cook for a discussion about the EPA and Trump administration’s recent announcement on an ethanol deal. They also take some time to chat about Tuesday night’s Democratic debate in Ohio and what’s going on in Iowa this weekend. Tuesday, Josh Cook travelled around the state with State Auditor…


  • Politics

    Elizabeth Warren Lands 24 New Iowa Endorsements After Debate

    Elizabeth Warren will return to Iowa later this weekend to a new raft of prominent endorsers, including former Lt. Governor Sally Pederson. Twenty-four leaders from across Iowa announced their support for Warren today, adding to her growing list of endorsements in the lead-off caucus state where she now narrowly leads in the polls. It’s a…


  • Housing

    DSM City Council Looks To Tackle Next Big Housing Issue

    The third and final reading of the new, controversial Des Moines zoning code was approved Wednesday by the Des Moines City Council while a few focus surrounding a potential housing project surfaced Monday at a Council meeting. The code, which sparked debate over housing affordability and other design standards in the city, was pushed forward…


  • Politics

    Tom Steyer On No Climate Debate Talk, Fundraising, His Tie

    California businessman Tom Steyer made his debut on the national debate stage last night, along with eleven of his closest Democratic presidential candidate friends. One of Steyer’s two biggest issues — impeachment — led off the night. However, his other passion — climate change action — received no attention at all. “I thought I was…


  • Politics

    New Q3 Fundraising Numbers: The State Of Iowa’s Federal Races

    As we inch closer to the end of 2019, campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate are coming into focus. Since Starting Line last reported on fundraising numbers, more candidates were added to the races against Sen. Joni Ernst and Congressman Steve King, and for an open seat in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. Here’s where…