State
Zach Lahn’s Story for Iowa
I’m Zach Lahn, and this photo of my family is taken in front of the porch of a farmhouse my great-great-grandfather built in 1900. Six generations of my family have worked this land. My seven kids are growing up here now, and every day I ask myself: Will they have […]
EDITORIAL: Iowa Needs More Than a Candidate. Iowa Needs a Vision.
The Iowa Statesman does not issues endorsements lightly. The easiest thing for a publication to do is stay neutral, hedge every position, and avoid offending anyone. That is especially true in a Republican primary where all five candidates are conservatives, all five have strengths, and all five bring something valuable […]
Thompson: Setting the Record Straight
After a court acquittal former Labor Secretary, Ray Donovan, was famously quoted as saying, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?” I’ve chosen pursuits that have put me under a microscope for public scrutiny. I was an Army Officer and after leaving the service I got […]
Letter to the Editor: Woody
Iowa Statesman, I was happy to hear the joint statement on tax reform from the US Congress, The White House and others in Washington. It’s about time. Our current tax code is severely dated, complex and debunked. Our tax code has not been updated since Reagan was in office and […]
Group Counter Protests Paid Democrat Demonstration
Christi Gibson June 28, 2017 DES MOINES- With health insurance premiums on the rise and deductibles skyrocketing, not to mention the majority of insurance companies in Iowa abandoning the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Iowans are growing increasingly concerned about healthcare for themselves and their family members. The impending vote on […]
Bull Moose Club Welcomes Iowa Firearms Coalition
DES MOINES-Iowa Firearms Coalition President Barry Snell shared their mission of protecting Second Amendment Rights for Iowans at the Bull Moose Club luncheon in Des Moines on Tuesday. He explained how the IFC was formed and gave an update on their legislative achievements since their formation in 2010. “IFC got […]
Forristall’s Widow Should Drop Out
My mom died all of a sudden about a week after she turned 60. My dad was crushed. He had just started transitioning into retirement where he would have a lot time to travel and visit grandkids. He barely slept and would walk around the house finding reminders of […]
Jacobsen Seeks Iowa House Seat
COUNCIL BLUFFS—Jon Jacobsen won the Republican nomination for Iowa House of Representatives in District 22, the seat previously held by the late Representative Greg Forristall. “I have enjoyed getting to know many of our friends and neighbors in District 22 through my activities in Pottawattamie County, and I lo forward […]
Jon Jacobsen Wins GOP Nomination In Special Election
TREYNOR-Jon Jacobsen of Treynor won the Republican nomination for the special election on June 27th in Pottawattamie County. The special election is to replace former state Representative Greg Forristall, who passed away a few weeks ago. A nominating convention was held on Tuesday in Treynor to select the Republican nominee. […]
Reynolds Becomes Iowa’s First Woman Governor
DES MOINES-Kim Reynolds made history when she became Iowa’s first woman Governor on Wednesday morning. Reynolds to the oath of office in the rotunda of the Capitol in Des Moines following the resignation of Governor Terry Branstad as he prepares to serve as an ambassador to China. In her remarks, […]
Pott County GOP Remembers Forristall at annual Lincoln / Reagan Dinner
COUNCIL BLUFFS-The Pottawattamie County GOP met on a rainy Friday evening for their 2017 Annual Lincoln / Reagan Dinner. The high profile audience included US Senator Tom Cotton, Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds, Secretary of State Paul Pate, State Auditor Mary Mosiman and Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett along with local […]
Pate Joins IFC and GOP Women at Shooting Range
JOHNSTON-The Polk County Republican Women promoted Second Amendment rights at their May meeting at Crossroads Shooting Sports in Johnston. The guest speaker was Iowa Firearms Coalition President Barry Snell, and Secretary of State Paul Pate was in attendance. Barry gave an update on the significant achievements of the IFC […]
Special Election for HD 22 Shaping Up in Pott County
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY-The passing of ten year lawmaker, Greg Forristall created the need for a special election. Governor Branstad has set the date for June 27th. Special elections do not have primaries. Instead, egates elected during the caucuses host a convention to ballot qualify candidates. Democrats have taken a pass on […]
Branstad Gives One of His Last Public Events as Governor at WCC
URBANDALE, Iowa-Governor Branstad gave a recap of the 2017 Iowa legislative session at the Westside Conservative Club Breakfast at the Iowa Machine Shed on Wednesday. He also expressed his excitement for his upcoming ambassadorship to China once his confirmation is complete. “This was not an easy session. As many of […]
Press Release: RAGA-Tom Miller Playing Politics
Washington, D.C. – The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) issued the following statement regarding Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller’s effort to politicize gubernatorial succession. RAGA is also launching a digital ad campaign criticizing Miller’s actions. “Tom Miller is playing politics with a serious situation,” said RAGA Executive Director Scott Will. […]
Voter Reform Now Law
DES MOINES, Iowa-Iowans can expect greater integrity in their elections following the signing of HF 516 by Governor Branstad on Friday. At the initiative of Secretary of State Paul Pate, the bill was introduced in the House by Representative Ken Rizer (R, Marion) and Senator Roby Smith (R, Bettendorf) in […]
Justice Wiggins Blocks Historic Pro-Life Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa-Pro-life supporters gathered at the Capitol on Friday as Governor Branstad signed SF 471 into law, a bill that bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bill also requires abortion providers to inform women of alternative options to abortion, to provide an opportunity to view an ultrasound […]
King Talks Tweets / Jesse Wolfe elected District Chair at DEC Meeting
FORT DODGE-Fourth District Republicans met to elect new leadership to the District Executive Committee that assists in coordination and planning among county parties in the northwest Iowa Congressional District. The chairs and co-chairs of the 39 counties in the district are members of the DEC with an additional member from […]
Branstad Says Goodbye: “Always Have a Positive Attitude”
DES MOINES, Iowa-The Republican Party of Iowa hosted a final farewell reception for the longest-serving Governor in United States History, Governor Terry Branstad, on Tuesday at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. Previous receptions were held in both Davenport and Sioux City in March. Republican Party of Iowa Chair […]
College Republicans Elect New State Chair
The Iowa Federation of College Republicans held their annual state convention Saturday at Drake University. Students from 10 campuses across Iowa listened to special guests, Senator Joni Ernst, Congressman David Young, State Auditor Mary Mosiman, and Chandler Thornton, a candidate for National Chair from Maryland. MacKenzie Dreeszen, a Polk County […]
FACT Speaks To Polk County Republican Women
Ethics and transparency in government was the topic of the April Polk County Republican Women’s meeting. Kendra Mills Arnold, the general counsel for the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) was the guest speaker on Thursday. Founded in 2014 by Matt Whitaker, FACT is a non-profit government watchdog organization […]
Freedom, Fun, and Fireworks: Bill Passes Iowa House
Iowans will now be able to enjoy shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July. The Iowa House passed SF 489, which would allow the legal sale of fireworks in temporary structures in the weeks of June 1st to July 8th and December 10th to January 3rd. The bill was […]
56th Annual Iowa Prayer Breakfast Held During Holy Week
Nearly 1,000 Iowans celebrated their faith at the 56th Annual Iowa Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning. A Maunday Thursday tradition, the breakfast is held every year at the Iowa Events Center. The program was emceed by Polk County Supervisor Steve Van Oort, with Governor Terry Branstad welcoming everyone in attendance. […]
Civil Asset Forfeiture Restrictions Pass Iowa House
A bill to reform the process for civil asset forfeiture passed the Iowa House on Monday. SF 446 was introduced by Representative Greg Heartsill (R, Melcher-Dallas) following its passage in the Iowa Senate. The bill received bipartisan support in the House and now awaits passage by Governor Branstad. “Civil asset […]
20 Week Abortion Ban Passes Iowa House
A bill banning abortions after 20 weeks was passed in the Iowa House on Wednesday following its passage in the Senate. The bill was introduced by Representative Shannon Lundgren (R, Peosta) and voted along party s, unlike the bipartisan support that it received in the Senate. Attempts were made by […]
Hinson Challenger Kicks Off Campaign By Breaking Law
Eric Gjerde announced a challenge for a State House race by violating the law that prevents public resources to be used for partisan purposes. The Linn County teacher filmed a campaign announcement video from his desk at Thomas Jefferson High School. Gjerde is challenging first term incumbent Republican Ashley Hinson […]
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Loebsack: “No Evidence of [Trump] Collusion With Russia”
CLINTON- Congressman Dave Loebsack (D, Iowa City) visited with constituents in Clinton at a casual lunch at Jenny’s Diner on Saturday. When asked about the investigation of Russia’s involvement in the Presidential Election, Loebsack replied that “The FBI has officially said that they do not have any evidence of what […]
Running-Marquardt Brings Politics to a New Low With Two-Faced Antics
CEDAR RAPIDS- Last week Linn County Auditor, Joel Miller, dismissed a complaint filed by Democrats insisting that Rep. Ken Rizer had moved out of the district. The complaint was completely without merit and sent to the media as a means to highlight Rizer’s divorce and bring public attention to his […]
Pro-Life Activists Gather To Support Life At Iowa Capitol
Hundreds of pro-life activists gathered at the Capitol on Thursday in response to a call to action by the Coalition of Pro-Life Leaders of Iowa. This followed the passage of a SF 471 which would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in the House Human Resources committee on Wednesday. […]
NRA/ IFC Grassroots Meeting-Windchitl: Governor will sign the Gun Bill!
DES MOINES- Senator Brad Zaun told over 200 pro gun Iowans in a meeting organized by Suzanne Anglewicz of the NRA that on Tuesday the State Senate will pass the omnibus gun bill with no weakening amendments. The Wednesday evening meeting was held for […]
Iowa House Eliminates Barriers to Prescriptions
Obtaining certain prescriptions will become easier for many Iowans. HF 233, a bill reforming step therapy protocol, passed the Iowa House on Monday. The bill was debated on the House floor after it was referred to the Human Resources committee by a subcommittee chaired by Representative Tom Moore (R, Griswold) […]
Koch Lobbyist Recieves Letter Despite Evidence of Compliance
Labor leader, Danny Homan, filed an ethics complaint against the Director of Americans For Prosperity in Iowas as retaliation for supporting legislation that balanced the needs of tax payers with public employees. Klein has been registered as a lobbyist for years. In order to file positions on legislation and get […]
Senator “I’m Coming for your Guns” McCoy Mocks Religion
Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines has once again lowered decorum at the State Capitol. McCoy has previously engaged in hostile smear campaigns of his colleagues and told one of his own constituents, “I’m coming for your guns, F***face!” During the debate on fireworks, Tuesday, McCoy mocked the religious beliefs […]
Pate: Iowa is Open for Business
Secretary of State Paul Pate attended the Story County Republican Central Committee Meeting on Monday to discuss the voter integrity bill and issues affecting his office. He mentioned the current decorum of the people showing up at the Capitol and legislative events in Iowa. “I served two terms in the […]
Polk GOP Women: Corbett Wants Iowa To Be A Place To Raise Iowans
Mayor Ron Corbett of Cedar Rapids spe to the Polk County Republican Women on Thursday. His message was that he wants Iowans to be a place that can raise people who stay Iowans. In addition to his role in local government, Corbett is the founder and President of Engage Iowa, a […]
Gun Bill Passed In Senate Judiciary Committee
The Iowa Senate Judiciary committee passed HF 517, a firearms omnibus bill on Thursday. This was after a subcommittee hearing chaired by Senator Dan Dawson (R, Council Bluffs) with Senator Brad Zaun (R, Urbandale) and Senator Janet Petersen (D, Des Moines) on Tuesday. In his opening remarks, Senator Dawson said […]
Convention of the States Resolution Passes Iowa House
The Iowa House passed House Joint Resolution 12 on Wednesday, which calls for a Convention of States. Proposed by Representative Zach Nunn (R, Bondurant), the purpose of this convention would be for the states to address the ballooning federal deficit. In his opening remarks, Representative Nunn said that the Constitution […]
‘Stand Your Ground’ Moving Through Senate
Following passage in the House, the gun omnibus bill, HF 517, began the process in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday. A subcommittee hearing was held, chaired by Senator Dan Dawson (R, Council Bluffs) with Senator Brad Zaun (R, Urbandale) and Senator Janet Petersen (D, Des Moines). Speaking on behalf of […]
Iowa House Asserts State Standard for Minimum Wage
The Iowa House passed a bill to preempt cities and counties from establishing their own regulations related to employment matters, including minimum wage. HF 295 was referred to the House floor by the Local Government committee. Recently, Johnson County raised their minimum wage, and Linn County has been considering it. […]
Voter Integrity Bill Passes Iowa House
HF 516, the Voter Integrity bill, passed in the Iowa House on Thursday. The bill includes election reforms such as requiring an ID to vote, moving the absentee ballot dead up, uniformity in when absentee ballots are available to voters, eliminating straight party voting, and a mandatory post-election audit. HF […]
IFC and NRA Get Stand Your Ground Through Iowa House
More than 125 gun rights activists from around the state gathered in Des Moines on Tuesday for Second Amendment Day at the Capitol, hosted by the Iowa Firearms Coaltion and the NRA / NRA-ILA. Representative Matt Windschitl (R, Missouri Valley) and Senator Amy Sinclair (R, Allerton) spe to advocates, as […]
Public Hearing On Voter ID Bill
A public hearing was held on Monday for HF 516, a bill to improve election integrity in Iowa. During this time, Iowans had an opportunity to speak in favor of or against the bill. HF 516 would require voters to present a valid ID to vote, and moves the dead […]
GOP Women Gather At Capitol
The Iowa Federation of Republican Women held their annual Day On The Hill on Monday. Conservative women wearing red came from all over the state to meet with lawmakers, tour the Capitol, and socialize with like-minded activists. The morning started with a visit with State Auditor Mary Mosiman. Appointed by […]
House Continues to Advance Gun Bill
Iowa is one step closer to passing historic legislation to protect Second Amendment rights. HF 133, the gun omnibus bill, was passed out of the House Judiciary committee on Wednesday, where it will be debated on the House floor. The bill was discussed and voted on […]
Voter Integrity Bill Moves Forward
SSB 1163, a bill to improve election integrity, was referred to the Senate State Government committee on Wednesday after a subcommittee hearing. The subcommittee was chaired by Senator Roby Smith (R, Bettendorf), with Senator Jake Chapman (R, A) and Senator Tony Bisignano (D, Des Moines). This bill was proposed by […]
Senate Subcommittee Takes Historic Next Step
By Tim Overlin, Personhood Iowa Yesterday was the day to see the next historic step by the Iowa Senate, in particular the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, to recognize that life begins at conception. The word went out late last week that the first public hearing on a Life At Conception bill […]
She’s A Baby Bill Advances
A bill to recognize life starting at conception in Iowa was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee following a subcommittee hearing on Monday. SF 253 was sponsored by Senator Jake Chapman (R, A), Senator Bill Anderson (R, Sioux City), Senator Mark Chelgren (R, Ottumwa), Senator Jeff Edler (R, State Center), […]
Prichard’s Gubernatorial Race Introduced By Revisiting A Combat Lie
DES MOINES–Todd Prichard from Charles City, one of the last rural Democrats in the Iowa house and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Guard spe to the Northwest Des Moines Democrats last week to provide a teaser to his upcoming Gubernatorial bid. However, his political acumen is probably not […]
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