Iowa Politics & News
The Daily Signal covers Iowa politics, caucus developments, rural policy priorities, and the Hawkeye State’s outsized influence on national elections and conservative movement leadership.
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EXCLUSIVE: Iowa Lawmaker Set to Offer Bill to Establish Antisemitism Study Commission
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, is set to introduce a bill on Tuesday that would establish a commission to study antisemitism in the United States. The bill would be the latest effort in the House to address the sobering rise of hatred toward Jews in the U.S. If enacted, the bill would…Jacob Adams -
Iowa Becomes First State to Remove ‘Gender Identity’ as a Protected Class
While President Donald Trump has been tackling LGBTQ+ activism at the federal level, Iowa has become the first state to pass a bill that removes gender identity from the state’s civil rights law. On Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, signed SF418, which made its way to her desk with a 33-15 vote in the…Sarah Holliday -
Trump Won Iowa. Political Insider Explains Why.
The polls didn’t lie. Former President Donald Trump was projected to be the winner of the Iowa caucuses Monday night just about 30 minutes after they began. In the polls, Trump had a 30-point lead, give or take, over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as Iowans arrived at their…Virginia Allen -
Trump Calls for Nation to ‘Come Together’ After Iowa Victory
After a giant win in the Iowa caucus, former President Donald Trump took a gracious tone in his victory speech, and talked about issues such as border security, energy independence and paying down the national debt. “I really think this is time now for everybody, our country, to come together,” Trump told his supporters. “We…Fred Lucas -
Trump Wins Overwhelming Iowa Victory
Former President Donald Trump won a smashing victory in the Iowa caucuses, the first in the nation contest for the 2024 presidential race. The Associated Press called the race for Trump at 8:31 p.m. ET, or Iowa’s time of 7:31 p.m. CT. Fox News reported Trump had 70.2% of the vote with 1% of precincts…Fred Lucas -
Security Guard Tackles Protester at DeSantis Event in Iowa
Security tackled a protester who jumped on stage Thursday at an event for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, video of the incident shows. DeSantis was in Ames, Iowa, for a campaign stop with Never Back Down PAC. The Florida governor was discussing a ban on China’s buying of land in Florida when…Kate Anderson -
How the Iowa Caucuses Work
All eyes are on Iowa. On Monday, Iowans will travel to individual precinct locations in each of the state’s 99 counties. The caucuses take place beginning at 7 p.m. local time, and individuals must be Iowa residents to participate. The leading Republican candidates to be voted on are former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina…Virginia Allen -
DeSantis vs. Haley: 9 Takeaways From Final GOP Debate Before Iowa Caucuses
Republican presidential hopefuls Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley were back on the debate stage Wednesday night to appeal to voters just five days before the Iowa caucuses. Former President Donald Trump was the only other primary candidate to meet the 10% polling benchmark to qualify for the debate, but…Virginia Allen -
What You Missed in Likely Last GOP Debate Before Iowa Votes for President
The fourth, and perhaps final, Republican presidential primary debate of the 2024 campaign season is behind us as four candidates met Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Once again, GOP front-runner Donald Trump declined to appear. Sarah Feldpausch, director of government relations at Heritage Action for America, joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss the biggest…Virginia Allen -
What Iowa Voters Have to Say About 2024 Election
DES MOINES, IOWA—The United States could collapse if it can’t control the border, says Jay Hayward, 68, of Grinnell, Iowa. “Illegal immigration, this is serious,” Hayward told The Daily Signal on Saturday while standing in line to attend a Donald Trump rally in Fort Dodge, Iowa. “This is a great nation. If it doesn’t turn…Fred Lucas -
‘Outrageous Attempt at Disenfranchising’: 6 Takeaways From Trump’s Iowa Rally
FORT DODGE, IOWA – Near sprawling miles of farmland and even a few wind farms, former President Donald Trump delivered a fiery speech Saturday about China, election integrity and a big recent court victory. Ahead of the rally, Fort Dodge High School was adorned with Trump flags and signs. Ultimately, the fire marshal had to…Fred Lucas -
‘Most Improved’: Iowa Governor Explains How Hawkeye State Won School Choice Revolution
“I truly believe that school choice will make the most consequential change for our education system in decades,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says. The Heritage Foundation feted the state of Iowa in Des Moines on Thursday for the state’s dramatic rise on Heritage’s Education Freedom Report Card after a flurry of reforms. In January, Reynolds,…Jarrett Stepman -
Daily Signal Partners With Leading Iowa Pro-Family Group to Livestream Thanksgiving Forum With Presidential Candidates
The Daily Signal is partnering with a leading pro-family group in Iowa to livestream a Republican presidential candidate forum on Friday. "Nowhere else do you get to see the candidates gathered around a Thanksgiving table talking about their hearts, their worldviews, and the issues that go beyond the news headlines, and nowhere else will you…Tyler O’Neil -
Iowa Leads Way on Education Freedom
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, families bear the twin burdens of inflation and indoctrination. Parents continue to witness their children being taught divisive, radical ideologies that portray their country as intrinsically racist, place social justice above fundamental subjects such as reading and math, and even divide children by race. All this while academic proficiency drops off a cliff….Kevin Roberts -
Iowa Gov Rebuts ‘Book Ban’ Claim: ‘Nasty, Pornographic’ Materials ‘Should Never, Ever Be in a Classroom’
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is pushing back against claims from some in the media that an education bill she signed into law back in late May involved banning books. Senate File 496 prohibited books with written and visual depictions of sex acts from school libraries. “If you’re a parent, and you think it’s important ……Lucy Gilbert -
California Is Trying to Use Its ‘Market Power to Change How We Farm,’ Iowa AG Says
Iowa is calling on Congress to prevent California from overregulating the agricultural sector. "California [is] trying to use their market power to change how we farm [and] I think that violates the Constitution," Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says. California's Proposition 12 regulations, implemented in 2022, "require veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens to…Virginia Allen -
Iowa State Fair Buzzes With Presidential Candidates as Voters Hope for Better Future, Sen. Joni Ernst Says
DES MOINES, Iowa—Loaded with attractions such as bacon pecan pie on a stick, dairy cows, a tractor pull, and presidential candidates, the Iowa State Fair truly offers something for everyone. Over a million visitors are expected this year for the annual fair, which runs Aug. 10-20, so it’s a magnet for presidential hopefuls ahead of…Virginia Allen -
Iowa Governor Signs ‘Heartbeat Bill’ Banning Abortion After 6 Weeks
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a “heartbeat bill” into law on Friday, banning abortions after six weeks, when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. This makes Iowa the 13th state to have a heartbeat bill protecting the unborn. “Not only will I continue to fight against the inhumanity of abortion, but I will also remain…Elise McCue -
GOP Presidential Candidates Head to Iowa for Sen. Joni Ernst’s Annual Roast and Ride
It’s not every day there is an opportunity to ride a motorcycle alongside a U.S. senator, but on June 3, hundreds of Americans will do just that. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is hosting her annual Roast and Ride Saturday. Motorcyclists are invited to join Ernst in a ride to the Iowa State Fairgrounds to enjoy…Virginia Allen -
Iowa Taxpayers Shouldn’t Be at Mercy of Woke Investment Managers
Iowans have an opportunity to make asset managers decide whether they will operate to further the financial interests of Iowa residents or weaponize their duties to further a political agenda. Proposed state legislation known as Senate File 507 would protect free enterprise and Iowa’s taxpayers by codifying two commonsense principles: Taxpayer dollars—specifically public pension funds—should…Joel Griffith