2026 Elections
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Democrats take stand on healthcare as government shutdown looms
Democrats are threatening to shut down the government unless Republicans restore health insurance subsidies that would otherwise cause Iowa ACA enrollees to pay an extra $1,080 per year for coverage. With just days left before the federal government could shut down, Democrats are insisting they won’t vote for any spending bill that doesn’t protect health…
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Nunn v. Konfrst: Poll shows dead heat in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District
Update: Following publication, Iowa Staring Line received screenshots of Public Policy Polling’s survey. The firm surveyed respondents on the favorability of both Democrats Jennifer Konfrst and Sarah Trone Garriott, how they would fare in a primary with one another, and how they would fare as the Democratic nominee in a general election against incumbent US…
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Drey wins Sioux City special election, breaks GOP supermajority
Catelin Drey, a first-time Democratic candidate, decisively won a special election in Sioux City that will have a significant impact on the Iowa Senate and the process of appointing state department heads. Sioux City like much of western Iowa has been electing Republicans. But last night, a special election reversed that trend. Democrat Catelin Drey…
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Scholten suspends US Senate campaign, endorses Turek
The Democratic primary to take on Republican US Sen. Joni Ernst in 2026 has narrowed. Just one week after announcing his bid, State Rep. Josh Turek got a big endorsement Monday morning. State Rep. J.D Scholten said he was suspending his own campaign to defeat Republican US Sen. Joni Ernst and instead vouched for Turek.…
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Iowa DOGE targets retirement pensions for teachers, law enforcement
A taskforce appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds recommended eliminating the state pension system for new employees and replacing it with a 401(k)-style plan. Iowa DOGE’s proposal has sparked fierce, bipartisan opposition. Governor Kim Reynolds promised in 2018 she’d “protect and defend” Iowa’s public employee retirement program, IPERS. Approaching her final year as governor, her administration…
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Paralympic gold medalist Josh Turek launches run against US Sen. Joni Ernst
The Iowa state representative, who won twice in Trump territory, is betting his story of overcoming adversity will resonate statewide. Josh Turek has never been afraid of long odds. Born with spina bifida after his father’s exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, Turek endured 21 surgeries by age 12. He then went on to win…
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Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego visits Iowa State Fair
Gallego is talking about Medicaid cuts with Iowans, potentially in an effort to boost his stature among national Democrats. US Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona arrives in Iowa this week in an effort to reach out to Democrat voters in the state. “I’m fighting for a future where health care is affordable and within reach.…
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Democrat Jackie Norris launches US Senate bid against Joni Ernst
Norris launched her campaign, positioning herself as a problem-solver focused on “invisible burdens” like the mental health and childcare crises facing Iowa families. Democrat Jackie Norris announced Tuesday she’s running to represent Iowa in the US Senate, becoming the third major Democratic candidate to challenge Republican incumbent Joni Ernst in what’s expected to be one…
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Iowa hospitals brace for impact as federal Medicaid cuts loom
Federal Medicaid cuts are expected to strip health care from 86,000 Iowans over the next ten years. One rural hospital administrator warns the financial impact could be felt in months, not years. When Dr. Robin Plattenberger retired from her Washington County practice eight years ago, she left behind patients who depended on Medicaid for everything…
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Iowa’s abortion ban creates costly travel for women seeking care, data shows
After a 74% drop in abortion services, Iowans increasingly cross state lines for care, while Illinois and other neighbors shoulder a regional burden. Tuesday marks one year since a law that bans most abortions in Iowa went into effect, and new data reported by providers show the impacts of the ban have been felt far…
