Joe Biden Commands Crowd On Day 1 Of Iowa State Fair

On By Elizabeth Meyer

Joe Biden said it best at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox: “I’ve been around a long time.” Biden, a former Vice President, U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate, is no stranger to Iowa or its State Fair. Whether it was his status as a long-time politician, second fiddle to a popular president or his high standing in 2020 presidential polling, people at the Iowa State Fair Thursday were excited to see Biden. He was greeted in Des Moines by his wife, Jill Biden, and a small group of volunteers. From then on, he was flanked by a traveling scrum […]

Burlington Democrat Announces For Top Senate Seat Pick-Up

On By Elizabeth Meyer

The first Democrat running to win back Senate District 44 in the Iowa Legislature announced his candidacy today in front of friends and family gathered at his Burlington farm. Rex Troute, a retired newspaperman from Burlington, is a first-time candidate for elected office. He launched his campaign Wednesday morning from Troute Farm, in the family since 1835. Though Troute announced his candidacy in his hometown of Burlington, the 44th District encompasses more than the small southeast Iowa city. “It’s one of the most diverse populations in the state,” said Troute, of the 44th District, noting the African-American and Latino populations […]

Ernst Promised To Make DC ‘Squeal’; Vote Hikes Deficit By $1.7T

On By Elizabeth Meyer

Sen. Joni Ernst came to the U.S. Capitol in 2015 on a promise to make Washington “squeal.” She vowed to “cut wasteful spending,” telling voters in her infamous 2014 campaign ad she “knew how to cut pork” because she grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm. “My parents taught us to live within our means,” said Ernst, in the 30-second video. “It’s time to force Washington to do the same.” Congress “is full of big spenders,” she said. “Let’s make ’em squeal.” After more than four years in the Senate, has Ernst, facing her first reelection campaign in 2020, […]

Iowans: Steve King’s Rhetoric Mirrors Shooter’s Manifesto

On By Elizabeth Meyer

In the wake of Saturday’s mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, news outlets, political commentators and everyday Americans have drawn connections between the alleged shooter’s racist past and the divisive language of President Donald Trump. But there’s another politician, closer to home, whose past statements are similar to those written in the 21-year-old man’s manifesto, posted online minutes before he murdered 22 people at Walmart. Iowa congressman Steve King and the gunman both have invoked white supremacist’s “Great Replacement” ideology, a far-right conspiracy theory asserting white people are systematically being replaced by racial minorities. “We can’t restore our civilization with someone else’s […]

J.D. Scholten Launches 2nd Bid Against Steve King

On By Elizabeth Meyer

J.D. Scholten is in for round two for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, eyeing a rematch with U.S. Rep. Steve King. He announced his candidacy this morning with a video narrated by Kevin Costner that’s heavy on rural Iowa imagery. “We’re building a people-powered campaign that is focused on meeting with, listening to, and earning the trust and support of voters in all 39 counties in Iowa’s 4th district,” Scholten said in a statement. “This time, we’re going to get the job done. Too many Iowan families feel like they’re getting kicked in the dirt, suffering from an economy and a government […]

Iowa Democrats Have Bills To Brag On When Visiting Home Districts

On By Elizabeth Meyer

While summer is beginning to wind down for most Americans, for members of Congress, it’s just getting started. The U.S. House of Representatives began its summer recess Monday and will return to Washington Sept. 9. In the Senate, lawmakers adjourn Friday and will reconvene Sept. 9 with the House. Iowa’s three Democratic members of the House kept busy in the first half of 2019, churning out legislation to improve the lives of their constituents. Here are some recent highlights: Rep. Abby Finkenauer — 1st District Helping Communities Invest in Rural Infrastructure Act: As vice-chair of the Highways and Transit subcommittee, Finkenauer works closely […]

Native American Outreach Rising In Importance For Democrats

On By Elizabeth Meyer

The first gathering of presidential candidates to talk specifically about issues important to Native Americans will take place next month in an Iowa city well-versed in the concerns of tribal nations. The Frank LaMere Presidential Candidate Forum is a first-of-its-kind event, “focused entirely on the concerns of Native Americans.” The two-day event will be held Aug. 19 and 20 in Sioux City in Western Iowa. Sioux City’s population is about 2% Native American, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With 1,373 American Indian and Alaska Natives in Sioux City, it has the largest native population in Iowa, according to the […]

Ernst Claims McConnell Not Blocking Election Interference Bill

On By Elizabeth Meyer

At a recent town hall meeting in Wright County, Sen. Joni Ernst was asked why Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had blocked election security bills from being debated. In a video of the exchange with Ernst, a member of the audience said he was “baffled” by McConnell’s inaction on bills to make “our voting system more secure.” The man likely was referring to bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate to combat hacking of state election systems, some of which McConnell has allowed to pass through the Senate. A Democratic proposal recently approved by the House to allocate $1 billion for […]

3 Democrats Meet In Sioux City For 1st IA-Sen Candidate Forum

On By Elizabeth Meyer

Three Democrats participated Tuesday in the first multi-candidate event of Iowa’s U.S. Senate race, introducing themselves to Siouxland voters. Siouxland Progressive Women hosted the forum in Sioux City with Eddie Mauro, a businessman and former educator from Des Moines; Kimberly Graham, a children’s rights attorney from Indianola; and Michael Franken, a retired Navy admiral. About 70 locals were on hand to listen. Franken has yet to formally enter the race, but is expected to announce his candidacy late in August. This appears to have been one of his first public appearances as he seriously contemplates a run. Theresa Greenfield, a small […]

AFSCME Council 61 Endorses Theresa Greenfield In IA-Sen Race

On By Elizabeth Meyer

U.S. Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield added another endorsement to her ledger late last week with the support of AFSCME Council 61. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is the nation’s largest trade union representing public employees, including those working for the state, county, city, school and private sector. “Theresa understands firsthand the importance of strong unions, and Iowa’s public service workers can count on her to protect our right to organize for dignity and respect on the job,” said Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Council 61, in a statement. Greenfield, a small business owner from Des Moines, […]