Des Moines political activist Heather Ryan, a candidate running in the Democratic primary for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, wrote a book four years ago in which she used the terms "ungrateful cunt" and "psychotic bitch" to describe individual women she worked...
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett kicked off his campaign for governor last week in front of a crowd of about 250 well-wishers in the city’s NewBo Market. There was no singing this time. But will Corbett's candidacy grow to anything more than a sideshow in the many...
Though two of the candidates have yet to officially declare their campaigns, Iowa Democrats’ eight-person gubernatorial field is nearing the end of the introductory phase. Now we’re into the never-ending forum stage, also known as the “fun” stage for people who...
In advance of Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett's announcement for governor today, Kim Reynolds' campaign looked to flex their organizational muscle by releasing a list of 1,050 county chairs. Yes, 1,050 for a state with 99 counties. I've seen a lot of county leader...
State Representative Abby Finkenauer got a big boost in her quest to take on Republican Rod Blum in Iowa's 1st Congressional District today. EMILY's List, the major political advocacy group that helps elect pro-choice women, endorsed Finknauer today. “Abby’s record...
What will general election voters be looking for in 2018? And will Democratic primary voters consider that? If you look at the political situation in Iowa and nationally right now and are positive that you have the answer, you're probably fooling yourself. A week...
While raising her two young sons in West Des Moines, Cindy Axne found a problem: the school district claimed there was only enough space for half of local children to attend full-day kindergarten. A lottery system was used to decide who got to get in, which her...
“Something Different.” That could easily be the slogan for Cathy Glasson’s campaign for governor in 2018, as she said at one point in an interview with Starting Line that “Iowans want to see something different.” She believes Iowans will find just that in her...
Polk County Conservation Director Rich Leopold announced this morning that he was ending his campaign for Iowa Governor. Leopold, the state's former DNR director, was the first candidate to announce back in January. He cited the difficulty of running an...
Kim Weaver's candidacy has ended, and a follow-up story from the Des Moines Register raised serious questions about her reasoning for doing so. But whatever, it's time to move on. Hopefully, part of moving on for Iowa Democratic activists will be a renewed focus on...
