Election 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks Disney, book bans at Iowa campaign kickoff
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received an energetic welcome at his first Iowa event as a 2024 candidate Tuesday, with crowds cheering as he spoke about bringing his fight against “woke” ideology to the White House. More than 500 people filled the Eternity Church auditorium Tuesday, with people standing along the edges of the room after […]
Who cut your pork chop, Governor DeSantis?
Ron DeSantis was railing on about illegal immigration while grilling pork chops at the annual picnic May 13 in deep-red Sioux Center hosted by Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull. The crowd cheered him on, knowing full well that immigrants cut the chops and work the dairy barns around Northwest Iowa. It’s an open secret that the […]
GOP-led states plan new voter data systems to replace one they rejected. Good luck with that.
So far this year, seven states including Iowa, all Republican-led, have left the Electronic Registration Information Center, an interstate compact for sharing voter registration data, and more could follow. Amid the exodus, some states, including Texas and Virginia, have said they plan to create their own data-sharing networks to replace ERIC. Pledging to build a […]
Pence focuses on parental rights in Iowa events while considering 2024 run
Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke with Iowa voters and conservative leaders at Des Moines area events this week, though he has yet to officially enter the 2024 Republican presidential race. Pence spoke with Polk County Republicans at a county party fundraiser Tuesday, in addition to Wednesday stops at the Westside Conservative Club and a […]
When he enters POTUS race, DeSantis’ cash haul will likely overwhelm competitors — but it depends
As Gov. Ron DeSantis prepares to officially declare his candidacy for a GOP presidential run in 2024, one thing seems clear leading up to his announcement: DeSantis expects to start out with a hefty campaign chest larger than any others in the race. A federal political action committee, Never Back Down, which was formed to […]
Mike Pence, Nikki Haley returning to Iowa for Sen. Joni Ernst’s Roast and Ride
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced two Republicans from the Trump administration will be special guests at her annual “Roast and Ride” event June 3. Ernst announced Monday that former Vice President Mike Pence will be attending her event. The charity fundraiser has been one of the prominent Iowa caucus stops for Republican presidential candidates since […]
DeSantis courts Republican voters in weekend trip to Iowa
SIOUX CENTER — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wooed Iowa Republicans on Saturday by drawing parallels between the two states, especially in regard to newly passed legislation that restricts what can be taught in schools and that prohibits gender-affirming surgeries for minors. “The survival of our American experiment requires a revival of the American spirit and […]
Trump cancels outdoor Des Moines rally due to tornado watch
Former President Donald Trump canceled his planned rally at Water Works Park in Des Moines Saturday because of potential severe weather conditions. Trekking through muddy grass and headed back to their cars, attendees said they were disappointed the event was postponed. Video screens around the venue featured signs telling people the event was postponed, and […]
Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy proposes raising voting age to 25
Vivek Ramaswamy told a group of young Republicans in Urbandale Thursday that raising the voting age will make American youth more patriotic and politically involved. At 37 years old, Ramaswamy is the youngest candidate running for president in the 2024 nominating cycle. While the entrepreneur has spoken about trying to engage more young people in […]
Texas pastor Ryan Binkley says he can bridge divisiveness in 2024 campaign
Presidential candidate Ryan Binkley said he intends to focus on solutions to America’s problems to distinguish himself from better-known Republican competitors in the 2024 nominating contest. Binkley came to Iowa for the first time Tuesday, speaking with reporters before holding a Waterloo town hall meeting. It was his first campaign trip after announcing his presidential […]
Biden should have followed Jimmy Carter’s example
President Joe Biden announced recently that he will seek reelection. The president and his staff have been saying for weeks that he intended to run again. The declaration of candidacy was not a surprise, but to me, the timing was questionable. Most observers accepted the decision to declare now. The reason was that he must […]
A GOP claim that Michigan purposely tried to encourage voter fraud doesn’t fit with facts
Republicans at a recent congressional hearing accused Michigan’s chief election official of deliberately leaving tens of thousands of dead voters on the rolls in order to encourage illegal voting. Even at a time of intense partisan conflict over election policies, it was a strikingly direct charge against a sitting official — and one made not […]