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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)

Email: julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
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
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers her Condition of the State address in the House chamber of the State Capitol Building in Des Moines on Jan. 15, 2019. In the address, her first as an elected governor, she largely outlined bipartisan initiatives which have received widespread support.

[Photo] Editorial: Reynolds is silencing students with special-election date

June 28, 2019
Julia Shanahan. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds waves on the Iowa House floor after she finished her Condition of the State address Jan. 15.

[Photo] Reynolds proposes restoring voting rights to convicted felons in Condition of the State

January 15, 2019
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig poses for a photo in his office in Des Moines on Jan. 14, 2019.

Partial U.S. government shutdown impacts Iowa agriculture

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
January 14, 2019
A farmer harvests corn near Washington, Iowa on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017.

Congress passes farm bill, solidifying a 5-year budget for agriculture and food assistance programs

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
December 12, 2018
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker attends the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration is defending Whitaker's appointment as lawful. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)

Key 1990 Iowa football moment reflects Matt Whitaker’s jump to the White House

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
December 5, 2018
Grassley: Whitaker’s appointment constitutional, but a replacement should be found quickly

Grassley: Whitaker’s appointment constitutional, but a replacement should be found quickly

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
November 14, 2018
Democratic candidate for Iowa’s first congressional district Abby Finkenauer is greeted by supporters during a watch party at 7 Hills Brewing Company in Dubuque, Iowa on Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018. Finkenauer defeated incumbent Republican Rod Blum and, along with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NY-14, becomes one of the first women under 30 elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Who won Iowa on Tuesday? Women.

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
November 8, 2018
LEFT: Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during a rally at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Nov. 5 as Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Rep. Rod Blum, R-Iowa look on. RIGHT: Democratic candidate for governor Fred Hubbell speaks to supporters at the home of Janice Weiner on Nov. 5.

In eastern Iowa, governor contenders make pitches and rally their troops

Julia Shanahan and Sarah Watson
November 6, 2018
Hubbell rallies Iowa City Democrats two days ahead of Election Day

Hubbell rallies Iowa City Democrats two days ahead of Election Day

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
November 4, 2018
Democrat Fred Hubbell (left) and current Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds are running for Iowa governor.

Democratic candidates have out-raised Republicans in state races this election cycle

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
November 3, 2018
Joe Biden addresses the crowd during the Cedar Rapids Early Vote Rally at the Veterans Memorial Building on Tuesday. The event also featured speeches by 1st Congressional District Democratic candidate Abby Finkenauer and Democratic candidate for governor Fred Hubbell.

Biden in Cedar Rapids: Leaders need to ‘set the tone and dial down the temperature’

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
October 30, 2018
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., addresses a rally at Old Brick in Iowa City on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018

2020 Watch: Who are the national politicians visiting Iowa?

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
October 25, 2018
Iowa acting Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig sits for a portrait in The Daily Iowan newsroom on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. Naig is running for election, after serving as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture since 2013.

Mike Naig eyes full term as Iowa secretary of agriculture

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
October 21, 2018
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D—Ore., speaks with the University of Iowa College Democrats at the Johnson County Democratic Party Fall Barbeque. Merkley was part of a collection of both state and national politicians who spoke at the event.

National Democrats considering 2020 visit Johnson County

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
October 15, 2018
Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic contender Fred Hubbell debate at Des Moines Area Community College on Oct. 10, 2018.

Iowa gubernatorial candidates spar over state budget, Medicaid

Sarah Watson and Julia Shanahan
October 10, 2018
President Donald Trump attends a rally on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn.

Joni Ernst, Chuck Grassley, and Iowa Republican leaders voice support for new NAFTA agreement

Emily Wangen and Julia Shanahan
October 5, 2018
A tractor is parked in a field outside of Iowa City, Iowa on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Iowa farmers facing increased mental health concerns

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
October 3, 2018
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks during a town hall meeting in Sinclair Auditorium in Cedar Rapids on the Coe College campus on Friday, March 17, 2017.

As deadline approaches to renew the farm bill, Iowans waiting on funding for state conservation efforts

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
September 27, 2018
Iowa Supreme Court hears Dakota Access Pipeline case

Iowa Supreme Court hears Dakota Access Pipeline case

Julia Shanahan and Sarah Watson
September 17, 2018
Ben Schmidt performs routine maintenance on a combine head in preparation for the upcoming harvest on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. Schmidt grows corn and soybeans on his farm outside of Iowa City.

Iowa soybean farmers feeling the heat of tariffs

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
September 11, 2018
From left, China's President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands on Nov. 9, 2017, during a meeting outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Artyom Ivanov/Tass/Abaca Press/TNS)

Experts: Chinese military spike unrelated to tariffs

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
August 28, 2018
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during her first Condition of the State address in the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.

Reynolds seeks to boost rural development

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
August 23, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch speaks during the Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference. He discussed his life as a Supreme Court Justice and his friendships with his colleagues.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch: ‘Just because you disagree, doesn’t mean you have to be disagreeable’

Julia Shanahan, Politics Reporter
August 17, 2018
Kim Reynolds talks at Hy-Vee in Coralville during her 99 Counties tour on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Reynolds signs bill regarding changes to energy efficiency efforts

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
May 9, 2018
RVAP is pictured on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

New set of policies to address sexual harassment in Des Moines

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
May 3, 2018
Federal government makes moves to decriminalize marijuana

Federal government makes moves to decriminalize marijuana

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
April 25, 2018
Protesters gather during the Women's March on January 20, 2018. Protesters gathered at the Ped Mall listen to speakers and march for female empowerment. (Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan)

Fourth Wave Feminism and its political implications

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
April 17, 2018
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announces that President Trump will soon sign an order to deploy National Guard troops to the U.S. southern border during a press conference in the press briefing room of the White House on April 4, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)

Trump sends National Guard troops to border, Iowa not yet affected

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
April 13, 2018
Kim Reynolds talks at Hy-Vee in Coralville during her 99 Counties tour on Thursday, April 5, 2018. (Ben Allan Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Gov. Reynolds signs bill to combat suicide

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
April 9, 2018
State legislator Joe Bolkcom holds a graphic during a state Board of Regents tuition task force meeting in Kollros Auditorium in Biology Building East in Iowa City on Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

Democrats concerned about funding for mental-health improvements

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
March 28, 2018
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during her first Condition of the State address in the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Reynolds took over the governor office in May of 2017. (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

Muslim students feel lack of recognition

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
March 23, 2018
Members of the UISG wait outside the Iowa State Capitol building for the Hawkeye Caucus on April 5, 2016. Hawkeyes Caucus day highlights the University of Iowa's accomplishments in Iowa City and around the state once a year at the Capitol building in Des Moines. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)

Iowa ranked No. 1 in a new report

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
March 9, 2018
Iowa City West High School is seen on Feb. 19, 2018.

Iowa City principals speak about arming teachers

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
February 28, 2018
On display at Perry's Gun Shop in Wendell, North Carolina, an AR-15 assault rifle manufactured by Core15 Rifle Systems. The weapon costs $2,384 and features an EoTech optical sighting system and a 30-round magazine capacity. (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

AR-15 Rifles in Iowa

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
February 22, 2018
The Iowa City VA Medical Center as seen on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018.

Local VA maintains standards, official says

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
February 19, 2018
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during her first Condition of the State address in the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.

Republicans Caucused in the Iowa City Public Library

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
February 6, 2018
UI grad student Farzad Salamifar poses for a portrait in the Main Library on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Salamifar is an Iranian immigrant at the University of Iowa on a student visa. (Lily Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Immigrant Advocates hone in on state politics

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
January 25, 2018
Protesters gather during the Women's March on January 20, 2018. Protesters gathered at the Ped Mall listen to speakers and march for female empowerment. (Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan)

Women’s March reaches Iowa City

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
January 20, 2018
Donald Trump gives a speech during the Freedom Summit in the Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. (File Photo/The Daily Iowan)

One year after inauguration, Iowa feeling impact of Trump administration

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
January 17, 2018
Guns are displayed at Scheels in Coralville on Tuesday, April 11. The Iowa House recently accepted the stand-your-ground-provision, an amendment to HF 517, which permits an individual to use deadly force when their life is in danger. (The Daily Iowan/Ben Smith)

Concealed-carry may cover all states

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
December 14, 2017
Cedar Falls City Councilor Nick Taiber speaks in Schaeffer Hall on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. The speech had to do with the directions of our government and was in collaboration with Young Americans for Liberty. (Ashley Morris/The Daily Iowan)

Cedar Falls City Councilor Nick Taiber discusses applying liberty on local level

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
December 1, 2017
The Iowa River is seen on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (Paxton Corey/The Daily Iowan)

Iowa representative proposes Water Quality Conservation Act

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
November 10, 2017
FILE - Then-President-Elect Donald Trump thanks fans while making his entrance during an event for Trump and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence in Des Moines on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.

Shanahan: Why I’m a journalism major in the Trump era

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
October 25, 2017
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during a Johnson County Republicans event in Coralville at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center on Thursday, July 6, 2017. Reynolds spoke to Republican constituents who had a minimum donation of $25 per individual to attend, $125 to host, and $500 to sponsor. (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

Shanahan: Human trafficking more local than people think

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
October 13, 2017
Halls inside the University Counseling Service are shown at Westlawn on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. UCS added a second main location to the Old Capitol Mall in August, allowing for ease of access for students who live on the East Side of campus. (Ben Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Shanahan: UI Counseling Service hours should be extended for students

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
September 25, 2017
Marco’s employees serve first-year students during the OnIowa program on Madison Street on Aug. 18. Madness on Madison is an annual kickoff event for freshmen following the Kickoff at Kinnick, where they take their class photo on the field. The event offered free food, music, and inflatable activities. (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

Shanahan: On Iowa! group activities lacking social aspects

Julia Shanahan, julia-shanahan@uiowa.edu
August 23, 2017
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