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.
-
What 10 Republican Presidential Candidates Said in Iowa This Weekend
AMES, Iowa—“How many of you by show of hands are better off today than your parents were when they were your age?” Frank Luntz, a national political consultant, polled the audience at the Family Leadership Summit on Saturday. “It’s almost everybody.” Luntz, who moderated discussions with 10 Republican 2016 presidential candidates while onstage at Stephens…Leah Jessen -
Kicking off Iowa Bus Tour, Scott Walker Declares Biggest Threat as ‘Radical Islamic Terrorism’
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – With a goal of hitting all 99 counties here traveling by Winnebago bus, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker introduced himself Sunday to Iowans. “The rest of the world needs to know that there is no greater friend and no worse enemy than the United States of America,” Walker told voters here, who…Leah Jessen -
Here’s What 5 Democratic Presidential Candidates Told Their Party Faithful in Iowa
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa—All five 2016 presidential candidates on the Democratic ticket spoke from the same stage Friday evening in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders and Jim Webb addressed more than 1,200 Iowa Democrats during a dinner celebration honoring hall of fame inductees into the Iowa Democratic Party. The…Leah Jessen -
Iowa Doctors Can Now Administer Abortion Pills Through Webcam
It is now legal for physicians in Iowa to administer abortion-inducing pills by webcam. Last month, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled a ban on using webcam communication to administer abortion-inducing pills was unconstitutional. This telemedicine abortion procedure, used only at Planned Parenthood clinics in Iowa and Minnesota, is banned in 18 other states for safety…Leah Jessen -
Mike Huckabee in Iowa: ‘Religious Liberty Is the Foundation of All Our Liberties’
FORT DODGE, Iowa—Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee—who won Iowa’s Republican caucuses in 2008—joined a room full of Iowans this morning to lay out the policies he would promote during his latest presidential run. Huckabee, who especially succeeded in winning over evangelicals in 2008, focused much of his speech on religious liberty, which he called “the…Leah Jessen -
Avian Flu Could Be the ‘Worst Animal Disease Outbreak’ in Iowa’s History. Why That Matters.
Almost 50 million bird flocks in more than 20 states, not to mention the biosecurity of the nation, seem to be under the weather with the current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak. Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Poultry Association, called it the “worst animal disease outbreak in the history of Iowa and potentially…Leah Jessen -
John Kasich Makes His Way to Iowa for First Time in 16 Years
DES MOINES, Iowa—After more than 16 years without a visit to the Hawkeye State, Ohio Gov. John Kasich headed to Iowa yesterday to tout his record as governor and make the case to voters that he should be the Republican with a shot at the White House. Kasich, who appeared comfortable with the audience, spoke…Leah Jessen -
The Issue That May Determine Who Wins Iowa
With the race to the White House in full swing and the Iowa Caucus less than eight months away, one issue hits Iowans closer to home than most: renewable fuels. At a briefing in Washington this week, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association emphasized that exceedingly local issues like ethanol and biodiesel will play big in…Leah Jessen -
Why This Iowa Principal Is Thankful for School Choice
WELLSBURG, Iowa—For this coming fall, Timothy Christian School will welcome just 45 students in kindergarten through 8th grade—the fewest to begin an academic year since the school opened in 1941. In a state where 30 entire school districts have been eliminated in the last decade and more than 4,000 have been wiped out since 1950,…Leah Jessen -
Ben Carson Tells Iowa: ‘America Is Worth Saving’
ELDORA, Iowa—Bringing a crowd to laughs and cheers, Ben Carson spoke to almost 200 people Wednesday night during an ice cream social at the rural (as in, you must drive on a gravel road to get there) Pine Lake Wildlife Club in Hardin County, Iowa. Carson, a Republican candidate for president in 2016, focused his…Leah Jessen -
Over Coffee, Rick Santorum Tries to Recapture Iowa Success
IOWA FALLS, Iowa—During a campaign stop at a coffee shop Tuesday morning, Rick Santorum worked to recapture the Iowa success that helped spark his run for president in 2012. At the coffee shop in Hardin County, Iowa, as locals enjoyed their morning cup of joe, the former Pennsylvania senator spoke on national security, the economy…Leah Jessen -
In Iowa, 2016ers Reluctant to Challenge Farm Industry’s Sacred Cows
DES MOINES, Iowa—Toward the end of the Iowa Ag Summit, the eighth in a parade of nine likely Republican candidates for president cozied up to the crowd with a salute to the can-do spirit of the American farmer. “There is no free market in agriculture,” says @DarenBakst Rick Santorum, former Pennsylvania senator and winner of…Ken McIntyre -
At Iowa Ag Summit, GOP’s 2016 Presidential Prospects Make Their Pitch
DES MOINES, Iowa—The Ag Summit convened this morning just off the slightly run-down corner of East 30th and Walnut streets, a stone’s throw from establishments such as Fairground Hardware, Marty's Barber Shop, Rumors Tattoos ’n’ Piercings and the Home Plate Diner. At a table inside the diner Friday evening, a middle-aged man named Greg is…Ken McIntyre -
11 Things Said by GOP White House Hopefuls at the Iowa Freedom Summit
Some of the likeliest Republican candidates for president tried out their messages in front of a mostly friendly crowd at today’s Iowa Freedom Summit. The speakers offered plenty of rhetorical red meat to an audience dominated by conservatives, but also set out to emphasize some policy positions at the gathering in Des Moines sponsored by…Ken McIntyre -
Q&A With Jim DeMint: Iowa Summit a Chance to ‘Shape Debate’ for 2016
A year before Iowa voters decide who they like most for president, a lineup of likely conservative candidates will present themselves in Des Moines to activists from across the state and media from around the country. Organizers bill the sold-out Iowa Freedom Summit as devoted to “how we can get America back on track by…Ken McIntyre -
What You Need to Know About Joni Ernst, the Iowa Senator Giving the Republican Response to the State of the Union
Joni Ernst, a freshman senator from Iowa who took office just two weeks ago, will have the task of responding to President Obama’s State of the Union tonight. Truly honored to announce that I will be delivering the #GOPAddress to the country following the President's #SOTU. Tune in Tuesday, 1/20. — Joni Ernst (@joniernst) January…Ben Smith -
Obamacare Health Insurance Startup Collapses in Iowa
It was a heck of a Christmas for David Fairchild and his wife, Clara Peterson. They found out they were about to lose their new health insurance. “Clara was listening to the news on Iowa Public Radio and that’s how we found out,” Fairchild says. They went to their health plan’s website that night. “No…Clay Masters -
Michelle Obama Packs Her Bags for Iowa, Michigan
Michelle Obama is heading to the heartland Friday to lend Iowa Democrats a helping hand in one of the closest U.S. Senate races in the country. Earlier in the day, the first lady will visit Michigan, home to another key Senate contest. Notably missing from the travel arrangements so far: her husband, Barack Obama. Iowa’s…Kelsey Bolar -
Fowl Fight: Could 4 Chickens Sway Iowa Senate Race?
Four pet chickens are causing Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Iowa, a major headache. In his first official faceoff with Republican Joni Ernst last night, Braley found himself in an uncomfortable situation when asked about reports that he threatened to sue his neighbor over chickens that had wandered onto his…Kelsey Bolar -
Feds Have No Idea the Extent of SNAP Fraud, Says Iowa Official
DES MOINES, Iowa — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sure the U.S. Department of Agriculture is doing a great job fighting fraud committed by people receiving benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Wendy Dishman disagrees. Dishman is the administrator of the Investigative Division of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, which has…Paul Brennan