2019
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FEC Fine Against Ernst’s 2014 Campaign Largest For Iowa Politician
Sen. Joni Ernst’s 2014 campaign paid the largest civil penalty ever levied by the Federal Election Commission against an Iowa politician, according to previously unreported commission records. In 2017, the FEC found Ernst’s first campaign for Senate broke the law by “knowingly accepting excessive and prohibited contributions, and by failing to timely refund excessive and…
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Create A Bloc Of Housing Voters, Advocates Urge After Improved 2020 Debate
Housing has had a moment during the 2020 election cycle, but some are wondering if the nation’s growing need for affordable options can mobilize voters enough to implement policy changes. Advocates say the sheer impact of the housing crisis, growing political will and increasing support for solutions has put real pressure on policymakers and presidential…
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UI Utility Secrecy: A Blow To Public Accountability
The Iowa Board of Regents is being asked this week to consider a complex proposal to turn the operation of the University of Iowa’s utility system over to an unnamed a business that will be paid to operate it for the next 50 years. The business will make a cash payment of undisclosed size to…
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Up-Ballot: How J.D. Scholten Is Advising 2020 Dems On Rural Outreach
Many, if not all, of the Democrats campaigning for president have done some down-ballot party building over the course of their careers. Several of them, including Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Kamala Harris, told stories on the trail about being in Iowa to knock doors for Barack Obama during his first White House run. We…
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Joni Ernst Faces Vote On ‘Not Qualified’ Gun Safety Opponent
Sen. Joni Ernst will make yet another choice, likely this week, on a judicial appointee with limited credentials and a controversial ideological background. Lawrence VanDyke has been nominated for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the second-highest level of the federal judiciary and where the majority of contested laws and policies are decided. Progressive judicial…
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Watchdog Group Calls For FEC Investigation Of Joni Ernst’s ‘Dark Money’ Ties
The American Democracy Legal Fund sent a letter today to the Federal Election Commission urging the government agency to investigate allegations that members of Sen. Joni Ernst’s campaign violated election laws by coordinating with “dark money” group Iowa Values. The request for an investigation comes in light of a Friday Associated Press article detailing Ernst’s…
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Warren Picks Up African American Leaders’ Endorsements In Iowa
A group of ten African American leaders and elected officials are endorsing Sen. Elizabeth Warren for the Iowa Caucus, adding to her coalition-building efforts in the lead-off state. North Liberty City Councilmember Raquishia Harrington and Ankeny School Boardmember Deshara Bohanna both signed on for Warren’s campaign. “Elizabeth Warren is a progressive who leaves no issue…
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After Big Iowa Trip, Buttigieg Secures New Local Endorsements
After another campaign swing through Iowa that saw large crowds turn out for Pete Buttigieg, the South Bend Mayor announced a new set of endorsements from 20 Democratic and community leaders from across the state. Nine local elected officials, along with another four former elected officials, added their names to Buttigieg’s campaign. Those included Gary…
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With Caucus Night Nearing, Cory Booker Pleads His Case
On the campaign trail, Sen. Cory Booker is frank with Iowans: “Commit to caucus for us.” With just under two months until the first-in-the-nation caucuses, low-polling candidates like Booker are desperate for a breakthrough. During his four-day, 13-stop “Lead with Love” tour across the state, the New Jersey senator has implored Iowans to donate to his…
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How Six Democrats Tried To Win Over The Teamsters
Six Democratic presidential candidates brought the heat after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters president James P. Hoffa said the candidates “better have a message for us” leading up to their union-focused forum Saturday in Cedar Rapids. “I think the question is, as a Teamster, why should we vote for you?” Hoffa said, during a phone…
