Category: IA Gov

Iowa has a new governor. Kim Reynolds was officially sworn in this morning at a large ceremony in the rotunda of the Capitol, with many of the state’s top officials, Republican legislators and major conservative activists in attendance. Terry Branstad resigned the office and was immediately installed as America’s next ambassador to China. All those things have been in the work for months now, but the big question was what vision Reynolds would lay out for her administration. Would she set a separate path from Branstad or stay the course in both substance and style? Would she lay out key, […]

Speaking in a legislative conference room at the Statehouse just down the hallway from the office he hopes to soon occupy, Todd Prichard told supporters and the media he would campaign for “forgotten Iowans” as he launched his official gubernatorial bid. He kicked off his announcement tour Tuesday morning in a Charles City coffee shop packed with dozens of local backers. He later held press conferences in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, and has ten more events across the state planned for over the next week (see full list below). “For years we have watched as the Branstad and Reynolds […]

The Democratic gubernatorial primary campaign kicked off in Indianola, Iowa this past week when six of the candidates made their pitch to Democrats at Summerset Winery. Well, that’s what Representative Scott Ourth, who hosted them at his fundraiser, wanted his event to be known as, anyway. It was a nice evening put on by Ourth, so let’s just go ahead and say that it all began there. Before a crowd of about 100 Warren County Democrats, the gubernatorial hopefuls tested out their early stump speeches. In attendance were John Norris, Nate Boulton, Andy Mcguire, Todd Prichard, Rich Leopold and Jonathan […]

Nate Boulton’s lead role in defending workers’ rights and wages at the Statehouse this session has not been forgotten: ten Iowa labor unions endorsed the Des Moines state senator this morning. Speaking at the Steelworkers Local 310 hall with over 50 union members in attendance, Boulton welcomed their support. “You guys are on the front lines,” Boulton said. “You are the ones negotiating those contracts to make sure that people get fair pay and fair benefits for the work they do to advance our economy.” The list of unions are: United Steelworkers of Iowa Central Iowa Building Trades Des Moines […]

Iowa Republicans are mad. Like, really mad. Specifically, they’re mad at Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller. It’s been over a week since Miller issued his decision that Kim Reynolds could not appoint her own lt. governor once she takes over after Terry Branstad leaves, but the GOP is still on a warpath against him. One can understand the frustration – it upended the Branstad/Reynolds transition plans, and Miller had the opposite opinion in December before he thoroughly researched the matter. But that’s just how the law is written, odd as it may be. This is one of the first times all […]

The Democratic field for Iowa Governor grew ever larger today with the introduction of a very well-known name: Fred Hubbell. The 66-year-old Des Moines businessman announced in a press release that he is officially exploring a statewide run, confirming rumors that have circulated Iowa politics for the past several weeks. “The current Governor and Lt. Governor have failed miserably on their own job goals,” Hubbell said in a press release. “We need jobs in every county in this state – more jobs in more places. Iowans work hard and take care of each other. We deserve an economy that works for […]

Newly-announced gubernatorial candidate Nate Boulton looked to build on the momentum from yesterday’s kickoff by releasing a slew of endorsements from fellow Iowa legislators. Over half of the Senate Democrats back Boulton, and he picked up several representatives from competitor Todd Prichard’s chamber. Senator Pam Jochum serves as Boulton’s campaign chair, and Senator Joe Bolkcom is part of his steering committee. He adds today several legislators closely aligned with organized labor, like Rich Taylor, Tony Bisignano, Bill Dotzler and Jerry Kearns. Rick Olson, who represents half of Boulton’s senate district, is on board too. Janet Petersen’s support today puts to rest the rumor […]

Democrats and progressive activists have often referred to their fight against Donald Trump and Republicans as “The Resistance,” so perhaps it was fitting that Iowa’s Nate Boulton announced his run for governor on Star Wars Day. May 4th is used by many around the world as a day of celebration for the films (a play on “May the 4th be with you”). Whether Boulton’s timing was simply coincidental is unclear, though his campaign manager seemed to hint at it last night. Can you feel it…There has been an awakening #RESISTANCE #iapolitics pic.twitter.com/lmtnQCiJQP — Joseph O'Hern (@JosephOHern) May 3, 2017 Boulton does pitch himself as […]