Iowans say Thursday’s presidential debate was more productive
Caleb McCullough, Politics Editor
October 22, 2020
Donald Trump and Joe Biden offered contrasting visions for America’s future Thursday night, in an exchange that was far more restrained than the pair’s first debate in September. With less than two weeks until Election Day, the presidential race in Iowa has tightened to a tossup. Biden holds a ...
Terry Branstad denies conflict of interest in Eric Branstad’s involvement in China
Caleb McCullough, Politics Editor
October 20, 2020
Former Iowa Gov. and Ambassador to China Terry Branstad said his son, Eric Branstad, did not benefit from the elder Branstad’s post as ambassador, deflecting a recent report from The Intercept that Eric Branstad used his father’s influence to his personal benefit. “I want to make it cle...
Fact check: final U.S. Senate debate between Joni Ernst and Theresa Greenfield
Caleb McCullough and Julia Shanahan
October 15, 2020
Iowa’s third and final U.S. Senate debate Thursday night was marred by technical difficulties for the first 20 minutes, as both Republican Sen. Joni Ernst and Democratic candidate Theresa Greenfield struggled to hear moderators and dealt with their microphones frequently cutting out. Once the p...
Iowa Senators accused Democrats of using scare tactics and distraction strategies throughout Supreme Court confirmation hearings
October 15, 2020
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Senate Democrats employed scare tactics throughout the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett, including the notion that Barrett would be a threat to American health-care coverage. Iowa’s U.S. Sens. Grassley and Joni Ernst, both ...
Trump rallies thousands of voters in Des Moines less than three weeks from Election Day
Julia Shanahan and Caleb McCullough
October 14, 2020
Less than three weeks out from Election Day and in the midst of a pandemic, President Trump implored Iowa voters to elect him to a second term, saying his term greatly benefited Iowa agriculture, creating a boom to the agriculture sector. Several thousand people gathered for the rally at the Des Moines Inter...
Iowa political leaders defend their party’s position as Supreme Court confirmation hearings begin
Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
October 12, 2020
Monday marked the first day of Supreme Court confirmation hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee to fill former justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat, and Iowa Republicans and Democrats are defending their party’s position during the contentious process. Democrats on the committee repeatedly brought up t...
Iowa, Drake law students oppose Ernst and Grassley’s decision on Supreme Court nomination
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 8, 2020
Law students and faculty across the University of Iowa College of Law and Drake University Law School signed an open letter addressed to Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, asking to hold the Supreme Court appointment until after the general election. The letter, signed by 176 students and f...
Familiar themes emerge in second District 2 debate
Lauren White, Politics Reporter
October 8, 2020
Democrat Rita Hart and Republican state Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks pointed fingers over health care and the coronavirus pandemic in a debate Thursday night. The candidates for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District accused each other of not wanting to protect Iowans’ access to health care, with M...
Iowa election officials hopeful for quick results on election night
Caleb McCullough, Politics Editor
October 6, 2020
While the U.S. braces for an unpredictable presidential election that may take days to call, Iowa leaders are taking steps to ensure the winner of Iowa’s six electoral votes is clear on Nov. 3. The question of whether a clear winner will emerge on election night hangs over the presidential campa...
Prominent Iowa Democrats hold online event a month before Election Day
Lauren White, Politics Reporter
October 4, 2020
At what would have traditionally been a barbecue, the Johnson County Democrats held a virtual event featuring prominent Iowa and national politicians where they encouraged viewers to vote and volunteer in their areas. Deidre DeJear, Iowa voting rights activist and 2018 candidate for Iowa secretary of...
Joni Ernst and Theresa Greenfield point fingers in second U.S. Senate debate
Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
October 3, 2020
Candidates for Iowa’s U.S. Senate participated in their second debate Saturday night, both accusing each other of dishonestly in their attacks on health care, social security, and racial justice. Democratic candidate Theresa Greenfield accused Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of wanting to defund a...
Iowa political leaders send well-wishes to President Trump after positive COVID-19 test, urge mask wearing and social distancing
Lauren White, Politics Reporter
October 2, 2020
President Trump announced early Friday morning that he and the First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19, hours after Vice President Mike Pence made a campaign stop in Des Moines. Iowa leaders say they are wishing the president a quick recovery and hope people continue to wear masks and ab...