Iowa Caucus

After a year of planning, the Iowa Democratic Party’s virtual caucus will be scrapped by the DNC, the Des Moines Register reported late last night. Security concerns for the phone-in caucus option has led to too many doubts from the national committee, even though the system hadn’t even been fully built or tested yet. That…

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has dropped out of the presidential race, and there is no longer any joy in the world. Well, maybe there’s still fun to be had on the campaign trail, but it will be difficult to match the enthusiasm and exuberance that Gillibrand brought to her candidacy. Indeed, it’s what confused many Iowans…

Julian Castro, the former Secretary of Housing Urban Development under President Barack Obama, announced a new list of Iowa endorsements on Thursday. Four of the eight individuals have a connection to organizations advocating for Latinx Americans, particularly the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Those are: Jonathan Munoz, the LULAC Council 308 President Andrew…

“The small refinery waivers that came out on August 9th by President Trump are like the nail in the coffin, or the last straw, with farmers,” said Pam Johnson, former President of the Corn Growers Association, at a press conference at the Iowa Capitol Tuesday afternoon. Johnson was joined by former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack…

“Health care is personal to me,” Biden says in his new ad. “Obamacare is personal to me.” The ad addresses Biden’s personal experiences, drawing on a car accident that took his wife and daughter’s lives, as well as his son Beau’s struggle with brain cancer. The messaging in the new ad is similar to what…

California Sen. Kamala Harris earned an endorsement this summer from the Asian & Latino Coalition of Iowa, but her effort hasn’t stopped there to win support among minority voters in the state. Harris’ Iowa campaign announced Tuesday its Latinx Steering Committee, “made up of Latinx leaders across the state who believe that Kamala Harris is…

More than a million dollars worth of advertising spots were purchased in August in Iowa by three dark-money groups trying to impact the health care conversation in the state as voters vet presidential candidates. One Nation, Partnership for America’s Health Care Future, and Doctor Patient Unity all spent big bucks to buy spots in the…

While Democratic candidates pitch their plans on improving America’s health care system to Iowans, three dark-money groups are blanketing the Iowa airwaves with attacks ads on those reforms and similar issues. Aligned with the health care industry, they are airing ads against Medicare for All and other progressive health care legislation, spending over $1 million…

A guest piece from Claire Carstens, former chair of the Youth Polk County Democrats. Politics is a part of my family. For years growing up, my mom, Shanda, and grandpa, Paul, were politically active and would include me in conversations about politics. They taught me how important it is to be involved in your community.…

The great winnowing has begun. With the August 28 qualification deadline for the September debate fast approaching, we’re starting to see several candidates deal with the stark reality that they simply have no hope of winning this primary. Even if you can find a way to break out in the race outside the debate, missing…