From 2016 election to 2020 caucuses, political process inspires UI graduates
Caleb McCullough and Julia Shanahan
May 10, 2020
Graduating Hawkeyes have benefited from a front-row view of the nation’s presidential-nomination process, as many came onto campus months before the 2016 election and are leaving not long after the 2020 first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses. University of Iowa senior Alex Byrnes served as Iowaâ...
Progressives in Iowa are disappointed by Biden’s nomination – but most still plan to vote for him
Rylee Wilson, Politics Reporter
May 5, 2020
Iowans who caucused in February for younger or more progressive candidates are grappling with the reality of Joe Biden’s status as the Democratic nominee, but a handful The Daily Iowan spoke with said they plan to vote for him. The DI spoke with voters and former caucusgoers from a variety of age r...
Iowa lobbying group pushes for coronavirus drug price controls
Caleb McCullough, Assistant Politics Editor
April 29, 2020
Some advocates in Iowa for lowering pharmaceutical prices are worried that once drug companies enter the market, COVID-19 drugs and treatment will be largely unaffordable without intervention from Congress. Iowa Citizens Action Network, in conjunction with the national organization Lower Drug Pri...
Iowa officials call for immediate assistance for pork producers
Caleb McCullough, Assistant Politics Editor
April 27, 2020
Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with other state officials, asked for immediate federal assistance for Iowa’s pork producers in a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence and the White House Coronavirus Task Force on Monday. The letter requests that the task force use all available authorities, incl...
COVID-19 not slowing giving to Iowa’s congressional races
Rylee Wilson, Politics Reporter
April 21, 2020
While most of the nation’s focus is on the novel coronavirus pandemic, candidates for federal races in Iowa have seen an increase in campaign donations from January, but political scientists say there is potential for depressed donations in future months. Federal Election Commission filings showe...
Iowa’s members of Congress work from home amid pandemic
Caleb McCullough, Assistant Politics Editor
April 19, 2020
Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation, like millions across the country, are having to adjust their work environment as social distancing requirements close many offices and drive most staff to work from home. Representatives and senators, most from their homes in Iowa, are holding virtu...
County conventions move to absentee format
Rylee Wilson, Politics Reporter
April 14, 2020
As rules around social distancing make hosting crowded conventions impossible, Iowa’s Democrats are choosing who will represent the party at the Democratic National Convention through an absentee voting process. The Democratic County Conventions, originally scheduled for March 21, were first...
Iowa City supporters hopeful for progressive movement after Bernie Sanders exits race
Caleb McCullough, Assistant Politics Editor
April 8, 2020
Iowa City supporters are reflecting on Bernie Sanders’ progressive presidential campaign after the Vermont senator exited the Democratic field on Wednesday. Sanders’ exit comes after a global pandemic forced him to forgo campaign rallies and after losing momentum in primaries since Super Tue...
College students fall into a gray area in the country’s largest economic stimulus package in U.S. history
Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
April 7, 2020
While 22-year-old Kaylie Wilson works full-time during the summer and part time during the school year to pay for rent, groceries, and other day-to-day expenses, she is not financially independent in the eyes of the government. President Trump signed the largest economic stimulus package in mo...
Coronavirus outbreak presents potential challenges to 2020 census count
Rylee Wilson, Politics Reporter
March 29, 2020
Students leaving Iowa City and other college towns throughout the state amid the COVID-19 outbreak could leave the student population in the area undercounted for in the 2020 census, potentially changing representation in the Legislature. As students leave residence halls and apartment complexes across...
Trump approves major-disaster declaration for Iowa
Caleb McCullough, Assistant Politics Editor
March 25, 2020
President Trump approved Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' request for a major disaster declaration for the state on Tuesday night, unlocking additional federal resources to help Iowa recover from COVID-19. The declaration opens up more federal funding for disaster relief to address the spread of COVID-1...
Trump beat Obama’s Iowa caucus turnout, but turnout record claim needs explaining
Rylee Wilson, Politics Reporter
March 24, 2020
Edited by Lyle Muller and Marissa Payne In case you missed it: Though Trump’s turnout numbers were higher than Obama’s, recording exact turnout for Iowa caucuses has been difficult. Turnout for Jimmy Carter in 1980 was higher than Trump’s 32,389 in 2020, though Carter faced a serious...