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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
Julia Shanahan

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor

(she/her/hers)

Julia Shanahan is the Politics Editor at The Daily Iowan and a senior at the University of Iowa studying journalism and political science. Julia was a political reporter for two years and then became the Assistant Politics Editor covering everything Iowa caucus.  She now oversees coverage of state government and national politics relating to Iowa.
All content by Julia Shanahan
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, talks about her personal struggles during the Iowa GOP Reception at Hughes Family Barn in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.

Ernst, Democratic leadership fight over Violence Against Women Act

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
November 21, 2019
José Robinson Palacios shakes hands with Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro at a meet and greet with the Catholic Worker House in Iowa City on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Castro met with families of immigrants to listen to their stories and discuss ICE. Palacios is a Honduran refugee.

Julián Castro attends an immigration roundtable in Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
November 12, 2019
Barry Jackson poses for a portrait in Poindexter Coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019.

UI alum Barry Jackson talks careers in White House, Congress

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
November 5, 2019
Former Secretary of Housing and Development Julian Castro speaks during the 2019 Liberty and Justice Celebration at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Democratic candidates play into their personal brands at Liberty and Justice Dinner

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
November 1, 2019
Sen. Kamala Harris speaks during her town hall at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. Harris stuck to her stump speech about equality, specifically among marginalized communities and condemned President Trump's divisive rhetoric.

Kamala Harris on reproductive health care: ‘We need to declare it a priority’

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
October 22, 2019
Ernst and Reynolds open up to Iowans at an Iowa GOP reception

Ernst and Reynolds open up to Iowans at an Iowa GOP reception

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
October 18, 2019
Farmers face economic barriers to sustainable farming, amid climate change reports

Farmers face economic barriers to sustainable farming, amid climate change reports

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
October 15, 2019
Sen.Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks to an audience during a forum at the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019.

Cory Booker: Sink-or-swim fundraising deadline ‘a moment of incredible, radical transparency’

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
October 7, 2019
2020 campaigns rally with climate activist Greta Thunberg

2020 campaigns rally with climate activist Greta Thunberg

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
October 4, 2019
Secretary of State Paul Pate addresses members of the media at the Kim Reynolds watch party at the Hilton in Des Moines on Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018.

Iowa judge upholds voter ID requirement, strikes down signature matching in the 2017 voter ID law

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
October 1, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, addresses the crowd during the Polk County Steak Fry in Des Moines on Saturday Sept. 21, 2019. 17 democratic candidates gave speeches and grilled steaks.

Latest Iowa poll shows Warren ahead, but Iowans say they aren’t paying attention to poll numbers

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
September 22, 2019
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, stands on stage at the Second Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. He serves as the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Iowa ag leaders say USMCA trade deal top priority this congressional session

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
September 19, 2019
Democratic candidate Tom Steyer talks to diners at a meet and greet at Hamburg Inn on September 12, 2019.

Tom Steyer holds Iowa City meet and greet at Hamburg Inn No. 2

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
September 12, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

Elizabeth Warren will hold a town hall at the UI next Thursday

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
September 11, 2019
Tom Steyer speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Sunday, August 11, 2019. (Shivansh Ahuja/The Daily Iowan)

Tom Steyer to visit Iowa City on Thursday

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
September 10, 2019
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Sunday, August 11, 2019.

Bernie Sanders to visit UI campus Sunday

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
September 5, 2019
A crowd gathers to watch Sen. Bernie Sanders speak during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Sunday, August 11, 2019.

The most diverse presidential field in one of the nation’s whitest states

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
September 3, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY., speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

Kirsten Gillibrand drops 2020 presidential bid

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 28, 2019
Illustration by Kate Snyder

Iowa City reacts to reduced funding for Planned Parenthood

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 28, 2019
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019 — less than a week before he ended his bid for the White House.

John Hickenlooper pulls 2020 presidential bid, hints at U.S. Senate bid

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 15, 2019
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and 2020 Democratic candidate Julian Castro speaks on gun violence at a town hall organized by Moms Demand Action volunteers in North Liberty on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. (Jenna Galligan/The Daily Iowan)

Julian Castro says his gun-control plan will ‘disarm hate’

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 14, 2019
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Sunday, August 11, 2019.

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 11, 2019
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Sunday, August 11, 2019.

Republican former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 11, 2019
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 10, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY., speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 10, 2019
Rep. Tim Ryan speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 10, 2019
Sen. Kamala Harris speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

California Sen. Kamala Harris

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
August 7, 2019
Visitors walk past food vendors Aug. 13, 2015, at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. (Scott Morgan/McClatchy DC/TNS)

A political guide to the Iowa State Fair

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 30, 2019
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, addresses supporters at her affordable housing roundtable at Cross Park Place in Iowa City on July 26, 2019. (Katie Goodale/The Daily Iowan)

Amy Klobuchar talks affordable housing in Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 26, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., listens to community members during a campaign event at The Mill in Iowa City on Thursday July 25, 2019. Sen. Gillibrand stopped in Iowa City as she campaigns for the Democratic Party's Nomination for the 2020 Presidential election.

Kirsten Gillibrand in Iowa City: I will be the nominee

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 25, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., addresses community members during a campaign event at the Chrome Horse Saloon in Cedar Rapids on Monday Feb. 18, 2019. Sen. Gillibrand visited Cedar Rapids and Iowa City as she campaigns for the Democratic Party's Nomination for the 2020 Presidential election.

Kirsten Gillibrand to visit the Mill, Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 24, 2019
U.S. Senate candidate Kimberly Graham speaks at the Wild Culture Kombucha on July 22, 2019.

U.S. Senate candidate Kimberly Graham talks campaign finance and health care in Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 22, 2019
Mauro hopes to restore Americans' trust in government in Senate race

Mauro hopes to restore Americans’ trust in government in Senate race

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 17, 2019
The Iowa Well Forecasting system, a web-platform used to access information regarding well geology and water quality is seen on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Emily Wangen/The Daily Iowan)

Database highlights contaminants in private wells

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 16, 2019
Senator Michael Bennet, D-CO, speaks with the press after a tour of the Stanley Hydraulics Lab on July 15, 2019. (Katie Goodale/The Daily Iowan)

Michael Bennet condemns Trump and touts unity in Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 15, 2019
Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro addresses crowds during Progress Iowa Corn Feed at The Newbo City Market in Cedar Rapids on July 14, 2019. 11 candidates came to speak with supporters and meet fans.

Democratic hopefuls call for immigration reform at Progress Iowa Corn Feed

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 14, 2019
Governor of Montana Steve Bullock addresses members of the press during his meet and greet in Blackstone on July 10, 2019. (Katie Goodale/The Daily Iowan)

Steve Bullock said he’s not one to eliminate all student-loan debt in an Iowa City stop

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 10, 2019
International student Yao Wang sits in her apartment in Hawks Ridge on July 8, 2019. Wang is studying Computer Science and is in her final semester. (Katie Goodale/The Daily Iowan)

UI Chinese students face difficulties as international tensions increase

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 9, 2019
Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-IL/17). (MCT)

Former U.S. representative announces bid for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 8, 2019
2020 Democratic Presidential candidate Eric Swalwell speaks at Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, June 9, 2019. 19 democrats spoke at the Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame.

Eric Swalwell drops out of 2020 race for the Democratic nomination

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 8, 2019
Crowds gather during a 4th of July parade in Independence Iowa on July 4, 2019. Former Vice President Joe Biden, former Congressmen Beto O'Rourke, and Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio were in attendance. This is the 159th 4th of July parade in Independence.

Democrats visit small-town Iowa on Fourth of July

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 4, 2019
Supporters stand for Senator Kamala Harris as she enters for her town hall event at Confluence Brewery in Des Moines on July 3, 2019. (Katie Goodale/The Daily Iowan)

Democratic candidates flock to Iowa ahead of Fourth of July

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 3, 2019
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, speaks to supporters during an ice cream social, Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center in Iowa City, Iowa.

Bernie Sanders rallies at an Iowa City ice-cream social

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
July 2, 2019
Newman Abuissa, a Syrian-American, talks about the Syrian peoples experience at the UICHR Syria Panel in the University Capitol Centre on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. (The Daily Iowan/Emily Burds)

Iowa City engineer announces congressional bid

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
June 30, 2019
Rita Hart, Democratic candidate for Iowa's Second Congressional District, speaks to supporters at Yotopia in Iowa City on Sunday.

Rita Hart makes a campaign stop at Iowa City Yotopia

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
June 30, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks during a presidential campaign event at the Tipton Family Restaurant in Tipton on Friday, April 26, 2019.

Warren introduces bill to cancel student debt

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor
June 23, 2019
File (The Daily Iowan/Joseph Cress)

Police respond to gunshots on W. Benton St., no injuries reported

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 21, 2019
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, speaks during a campaign event at the Big Grove Taproom in Iowa City on Monday Feb. 11, 2019. Rep. Gabbard visited Des Moines, Fairfield, and Iowa City on a tour of Iowa cities as she begins her 2020 presidential bid.

Foreign policy not at the forefront of Democratic presidential campaigns – yet

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 17, 2019
Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to an audience at Clinton Community College in Clinton, Iowa on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Wyatt Dlouhy/The Daily Iowan)

Biden highlights progressive issues in Clinton campaign stop

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 12, 2019
President Donald Trump walks to the podium during the Iowa GOP’s America First Dinner at the Ron Pearson Center in West Des Moines on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Wyatt Dlouhy/The Daily Iowan)

Trump in Des Moines: ‘You will be the ones to shape America’s future’

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 11, 2019
2020 Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, June 9, 2019. 19 democrats spoke at the Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame.

2020 presidential hopefuls condemn Trump at the largest candidate gathering yet

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 9, 2019
Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, appears on a Political Party Live podcast in Iowa City on Saturday, June 8, at the Graduate hotel.

Sen. Cory Booker advocates for racial equality in Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 8, 2019
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Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT answers a question during a Political Party Live event at the Sinclair Auditorium in Cedar Rapids on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Wyatt Dlouhy/The Daily Iowan)

Bernie Sanders in Cedar Rapids: “best candidate to beat Trump”

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 7, 2019
Kim Reynolds talks at Hy-Vee in Coralville during her 99 Counties tour on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is released from the hospital after experiencing chest pain

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 6, 2019
Portrait from greenfieldforiowa.com

Democrat Theresa Greenfield enters 2020 U.S. Senate race

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 3, 2019
Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ. , speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Monday, July 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Cory Booker to appear on Political Party Live in Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
June 1, 2019
Tim Ryan, Ohio Congressman and 2020 Democratic presidential-nomination candidate, holds a Q&A at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City on May 31.

Tim Ryan talks economic reform to Iowa City crowd

Julia Shanahan, Politics reporter
May 31, 2019
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Democratic presidential-nomination candidate Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, addresses the audience during his visit to Airliner in Iowa City on March 4, 2019.

2020 candidate Pete Buttigieg to visit Iowa City on Saturday

Julia Shanahan, Assistant Politics Editor
May 17, 2019
Rita Hart speaks at the Democratic Gala on Saturday, October 6, 2018. Hart is the State Sen. of the 49th district but is hoping to be elected as Lieutenant Governor. (Thomas A. Stewart/ Daily Iowan)

Democrat Rita Hart launches bid for Dave Loebsack’s seat in Congress

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
May 14, 2019
The U.S. Capitol Building. A Senate health panel on Wednesday released a discussion draft intended to curb opioid addiction. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Flooding in eastern Iowa ramps up urgency for congressional disaster-relief

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
May 8, 2019
UIHC grants nearly $18 million worth of medication through assistance program

UIHC grants nearly $18 million worth of medication through assistance program

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
May 5, 2019
Former Vice President and 2020 Presidential Democratic candidate Joe Biden speaks at Big Grove Brewery on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Joe Biden condemns Trump tax policy, touts working class in Iowa City stop

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
May 1, 2019
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during her first Condition of the State address in the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Jan. 9, 2018.

Lawmakers at a crossroads on criminal justice

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
April 30, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., addresses a crowd at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, April 25, 2019. The Linn Phoenix Club hosted the event.

Elizabeth Warren outlines benefits of taxing the wealthy in Cedar Rapids

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
April 25, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks during a campaign rally in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.

Elizabeth Warren proposes student-debt cancellation, free tuition

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
April 22, 2019
Kim Reynolds talks at Hy-Vee in Coralville during her 99 Counties tour on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

How Midwest flooding became a political wedge

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
April 15, 2019
The Capitol building in Des Moines is pictured on April 29, 2018.

Bill to allow emergency refills of prescription drugs heads to Iowa governor’s desk

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
April 9, 2019
Joni Ernst speaks at the Second Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 13, 2018. The event was a fundraiser for current governor Kim Reynolds.

Iowa’s U.S. senators express frustration with lack of trade progress

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
April 7, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks during a campaign rally in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.

Members of Iowa’s ag sector disagree with 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren’s policy

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
April 3, 2019
Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, speaks in her office in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Climate change, Midwest floods divide politicians

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
March 28, 2019
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks in her Washington, D.C. office on Wednesday.

Joni Ernst still working to ‘make ’em squeal’

Sarah Watson and Julia Shanahan
March 27, 2019
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks with The Daily Iowan in the Hart Senate Office Building on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Iowa congressional leaders urge additional relief after flooding

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
March 26, 2019
Vice President Mike Pence listens to a briefing by acting Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost at the El Centro Border Patrol station in San Diego on April 30, 2018. (Alejandro Tamayo/Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)

VP Mike Pence joins Gov. Kim Reynolds as flooding in the midwest continues

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
March 19, 2019
Janelle Lutgen sits for a portrait at her home on Feb. 24. Lutgen’s son Jesse died after his financial situation forced him to ration insulin.

As insulin prices rise, politicians attempt to take action, but for some families — it’s too late

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
March 12, 2019
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. during a community forum at in on Friday, February 8, 2019. Sen. Booker announced his campaign to run for president on February 1, 2019.

From rallies to intimate locales: 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls are racking up Iowa visits

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
March 5, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., engages with the crowd during her campaign stop at The Airliner on Monday, February 18, 2019. Gillibrand visited Cedar Rapids and Iowa City as she campaigns for the democratic nomination for the 2020 Presidential Election.

Kirsten Gillibrand praises Green New Deal in Eastern Iowa campaign stops

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
February 18, 2019

Video: Sit down with Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
February 18, 2019
Students traverse a hallway at Iowa City High School on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

A year after Parkland, Iowa City School District members speak out on Iowa gun legislation

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
February 14, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) speaks during a campaign rally in the IMU on Sunday, February 10, 2019.

2020 Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren visits eastern Iowa

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
February 10, 2019
Rich Clinite brings up the "fake news" about the Virginia Governor at a meeting of the Iowa City GOP at the Miller Learning Center on Monday, February 4, 2019.

Iowa parties weigh in on State of the Union

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
February 5, 2019
Marianne Williamson, author and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, makes a campaign stop at Prairie Lights in Iowa City on Saturday.

Author and 2020 candidate Marianne Williamson makes campaign stop at Prairie Lights

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
February 2, 2019
Iowa agriculture: New NAFTA will not repair tariff damage

Iowa agriculture: New NAFTA will not repair tariff damage

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
January 31, 2019
The U.S. Capitol is seen on March 13, 2018.

Iowa’s congressional delegation supports measures to permanently end government shutdowns

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
January 30, 2019
Crop farmer Bob Worth plants soybeans on the family farm Thursday, May 17, 2018, in Lake Benton, Minn.

Federal aid to farmers helped fill gaps, uncertainty in shutdown continues

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
January 22, 2019
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