What’s Chet Culver Up To?

On By Pat Rynard

Chet Culver’s back, apparently. The former Governor popped back onto Iowa’s political radar last week by holding a series of public forums on opposing current Governor Terry Branstad’s Medicaid privatization plan. Just yesterday he held his fourth town hall meeting on the topic in Davenport, and is planning a large rally at the Capitol building next Wednesday. Most Iowa political insiders told Starting Line they’re simply confused by Culver’s actions. Why he decided this topic and this particular time to make a return to the public eye isn’t quite clear. Culver hasn’t been too engaged in Democratic politics or public […]

Jim Mowrer Launches 3rd District Run

On By Pat Rynard

Democrats now have two candidates in the 3rd District Congressional race to oust Republican David Young. Jim Mowrer announced this morning he’s launching his own candidacy for the seat, having previously run last year against Steve King. “With encouragement from folks across the district, family and friends, I am proud and enthusiastic to announce my campaign for the 3rd Congressional District,” said Mowrer in a press release. “Congress isn’t working. What we need is leadership willing to put Iowa’s middle class before parties and politics – that’s exactly why I’m running and what I’ll do.” In an interview with the […]

Some Labor Leaders Quietly Encouraging Jim Mowrer to Run in 3rd District

On By Pat Rynard

Several Iowa labor leaders have been privately encouraging Jim Mowrer to take another stab at running for Congress. But this time around the goal is running in the 3rd District against David Young – info Starting Line hears from sources close to Mowrer and others in Des Moines. Mowrer recently moved from Boone to Des Moines, to a home he’s owned for seven years. Mowrer impressed many in Iowa with a well-run campaign against Steve King in 2014 that raised nearly $2.2 million, though came up significantly short in votes on Election Day in a Republican wave year. Many want […]

Monday Power Ranking: 3rd District – Democrats

On By Pat Rynard

So does anyone want to beat David Young, or what? The Democratic field has been excruciatingly slow to develop for the 3rd District, frustrating the DCCC (or so we hear). Many insiders worry that if Young wins his first reelection, he could be there for life (Starting Line does not subscribe to this theory in the slightest). So what’s the hang-up? Only Desmund Adams has taken real steps to forming a campaign. Nick Kleinfeldt, the U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s southern district, was supposedly a DCCC preferred recruit, but he seems to have taken a pass for now. Nor does Nathan […]

Sizing Up the 3rd District Race: Which Democrats Will Run?

On By Pat Rynard

While the race for the Iowa’s Democratic-leaning 1st Congressional District has captured headlines and excitement recently, the race for the 3rd District has been a quieter affair. That won’t last for long, as multiple Democrats are considering a challenge to freshman incumbent Republican David Young. The 3rd district contains 164,642 registered Republicans compared to 153,230 Democrats, along with another 162,163 No Party voters. Democrats path to victory will be a hard-fought one, and several names have emerged. How will they stack up in a Democratic primary? The Front Runner State Senator Matt McCoy has long eyed a run for higher […]