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Liam Halawith

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor

(He/Him/His) Liam Halawith is the Politics Editor at the Daily Iowan. Liam has previously served on the DI as a summer news reporter and Politics Reporter. Liam is a Sophomore at the University of Iowa majoring in Journalism and Minoring in Political Science. He has previously worked at the Southeast Iowa Union as a news Intern and local reporter.

All content by Liam Halawith
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks to supporters during a watch party for the 2022 Iowa midterm elections at Spare Time in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Hinson is up for reelection for her seat in the house against state Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Hiawatha. Because of redistricting, Hinson is now battling for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, previously she held the seat for the 1st Congressional District. Hinson announced her victory after Mathis conceded.

This week in Iowa politics | Hinson appointed bipartisan committee investigating China’s influence in the U.S.

January 26, 2023
The Iowa State Capitol is seen during the first day of the 2023 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. This marked the 90th time the Iowa Legislature has convened.

Iowa lawmakers consider regents funding increase in budget debate this week

January 24, 2023
Gov. Kim Reynolds walks into the Iowa State Capitol rotunda to sign the House File 68 on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

Reynolds signed her $345 million school choice bill into law Tuesday morning

January 24, 2023
The Iowa House convenes during the first day of the 90th Iowa General Assembly at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

The Cloakroom | ‘Students First Act’ blazes through Senate Appropriations Committee

January 19, 2023
Sen. Ken Rozenboom leads the Education Committee meeting at the State Capitol in Des Moines on Jan. 11. The meeting was attended by several Iowans who oppose Gov. Kim Reynolds private school voucher bill.

Gov. Reynolds revived school voucher bill rapidly advancing

January 17, 2023
The Iowa State Capitol is seen during the first day of the 90th Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

The Cloakroom | Iowa House GOP introduce ‘don’t say gay bill,’ legislation requiring schools to reveal students’ gender identity to parents

January 17, 2023
Police tape is seen in front of Brother’s Bar and Grill after reports of shots fired near the Pedestrian Mall on in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Officers were able to detain the shooter, no one is believed to have been injured.

Arrest made following Ped Mall shooting incident

January 17, 2023
Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers a speech during the 2023 Condition of the State at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. At the end of Reynolds’ speech, she thanked supporters. “Thank you for the honor to serve as your governor,” Reynolds said. “God bless you, and God bless the great state of Iowa.”

Fact Check | Checking claims in Iowa Gov. Reynolds’ sixth Condition of the State Address

January 11, 2023
Fact Check | Voting machines aren’t behind mismatched results in Scott County election recounts

Fact Check | Voting machines aren’t behind mismatched results in Scott County election recounts

December 20, 2022
The Iowa State Capitol is seen before the opening of the 2022 Legislative Session in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.

Gov. Kim Reynolds bans TikTok on state-owned devices

December 14, 2022
United Action for Youth, or UAY, walks during the Iowa City Pride Parade in Iowa City on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Over 900 people walked in the parade.

House passes Respect for Marriage Act

December 8, 2022
U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, speaks during President Joe Biden’s visit at the POET Bioprocessing ethanol plant in Menlo, Iowa, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Axne attended the visit with Biden.

House passes defense bill to end military vaccine mandate, Rep. Cindy Axne bill to reduce rural homelessness

December 8, 2022
Members of the audience cheer as Pete Buttigeig takes the stage at the Bell Center following the closing of the polls on Monday, February 3, 2020.

‘Calendar chaos:’ An uncertain future for Iowa Democrats

December 6, 2022
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley speaks during a watch party for Iowa Republicans on Election Day at the Hilton Downtown in Des Moines on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

Republicans prepare for upcoming legislative session

December 6, 2022
Senator Bernie Sanders, I-V.T. supporters wait for the results first round of counting at the 62 precinct of Des Moines in the Fieldhouse on the Drake campus on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. 849 people came out to caucus, and after the first round of counting, Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. lead the precinct with 212 votes. Sanders finished second in the caucuses with 26.1% of state convention delegates, 0.1% less than winner Pete Buttigieg.

DNC expected to kick Iowa out of early nominating calendar

December 2, 2022
President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands at the conclusion of a joint press conference at the White House for a state visit. The Presidents of France and United States will meet about a variety of issues during the bilateral meetings.

Biden: South Carolina should replace Iowa in the presidential nomination calendar

December 1, 2022
V Fixmer-Oraiz, a transgender citizen and Johnson County Supervisor, speaks during a transgender rights protest at the Pentacrest on March 11. Simon Reichel attended the protest.

‘I couldn’t stand living in my own skin’: Among a nationwide trend of anti-trans legislation, Iowa leads the pack

November 27, 2022
President Joe Biden speaks during his visit at the POET Bioprocessing ethanol plant in Menlo, Iowa, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Biden also commneted on infrastructure investments to help rural communities.

Biden extends student loan payment pause to June 2023

November 23, 2022
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Chuck Grassley are pictured above.

Grassley, Ernst split on same-sex marriage vote

November 17, 2022
Precinct election official James Amlong eats lunch on the steps of Longfellow Elementary School in Iowa City during Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Amlong has been working in Iowa City polls for elections for over 10 years. “Exercise your right,” Amlong said. “It’s the only place in the world you can peacefully vote at.”

JoCo election officials reflect on the 2022 midterm amid national threats

November 13, 2022
President Joe Biden speaks during his visit at the POET Bioprocessing ethanol plant in Menlo, Iowa, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Biden announced the Environment Protection Agency will make E15 available through the summer months.

Federal judge strikes down Biden’s student-debt relief program

November 11, 2022
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks to reporters during a watch party for the 2022 Iowa midterm elections at Spare Time in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Hinson is up for reelection for her seat in the house against state Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Hiawatha.

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson retains 2nd District seat, Liz Mathis concedes

November 8, 2022
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during his Texas rally at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 22. 2022, in Robstown. (Angela Piazza for the Caller-Times/USA Today)

Trump visits Sioux City, endorses Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sen. Chuck Grassley

November 3, 2022
Fact Check | Reynolds campaign ad on police support skips DeJear’s explanation

Fact Check | Reynolds campaign ad on police support skips DeJear’s explanation

October 31, 2022
Fact Check | DeJear social media post says Reynolds thinks nurses required education, but she didn’t say that

Fact Check | DeJear social media post says Reynolds thinks nurses required education, but she didn’t say that

October 31, 2022
Democratic candidate for Iowa governor Deidre DeJear waves to parade goers during the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally in Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.

Democrats rally for support in midterms at homecoming parade

October 29, 2022
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, responds to questions posed by reporters at a press conference at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Polk County District Court will hear arguments to throw out injunction blocking 2018 fetal heartbeat bill

October 27, 2022
Pictured Left to Right: Drake Anderson, Brooke Anderson, Devin Anderson, and Drew Anderson. Courtesy of Brooke Anderson.

“Just like a nightmare:” Fentanyl’s damages to Iowa communities

October 25, 2022
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds responds to a question asked by a reporter at a press conference at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

Gov. Reynolds touts math and reading scores, rankings from national assessment

October 24, 2022
Voters attend early voting at the Iowa Memorial Union on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.

Avoiding election day chaos: early voting begins in Iowa

October 20, 2022
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivers the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

Federal judge dismissed lawsuit challenging Biden’s student debt relief plan

October 20, 2022
U.S. Rep Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks during Ashley Hinson’s BBQ Bash at the Linn County Fairgrounds Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Rep. Ashley Hinson hospitalized, Tuesday debate canceled

October 17, 2022
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks during Ashley Hinson’s BBQ Bash at the Linn County Fairgrounds Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Women’s issues and a few other fact-checks in Iowa’s US Senate race

October 12, 2022
Democratic candidate Liz Mathis and U.S. Rep Ashley Hinson speaking at various political events on Sept. 3 and Aug. 28 respectively.

Fact Check | The facts about Iowa’s 2nd District congressional candidates and abortion

October 11, 2022
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, talks with constituents at an early morning meeting in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

Sen. Joni Ernst advocates for increase in funding for diaper banks at Cedar Rapids visit

October 7, 2022
Grassley confirms he wouldn’t vote for a national abortion ban during a debate Thursday

Grassley confirms he wouldn’t vote for a national abortion ban during a debate Thursday

October 6, 2022
Fact Check | Iowans are paying $5,000 more per year under inflation, are Democrats to blame?

Fact Check | Iowans are paying $5,000 more per year under inflation, are Democrats to blame?

October 4, 2022
U.S. Rep Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks during Ashley Hinson’s BBQ Bash at the Linn County Fairgrounds Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Temporary funding resolution passes House, Senate to avoid weekend shutdown

October 2, 2022
Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner in Wilton, Iowa, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Pence encouraged attendees to vote and spoke about stagnating wages, the economy, and the border.

Pence rallies for the “Great American Comeback” ahead of midterms

September 29, 2022
Photo illustration by Matt Sindt.

Iowa’s federal delegation aims to combat rural population decline through federal funds

September 25, 2022
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks during Ashley Hinson’s BBQ Bash at the Linn County Fairgrounds Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Grassley says he won’t center Franken allegations, Grassley Works calls for accuser’s release from NDA

September 21, 2022
Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Mike Franken speaks at a fundraising event for democratic candidates Liz Mathis and Christina Bohannan at the Sutliff Farm & Cider House in Lisbon, Iowa.

U.S. Senate candidate Mike Franken accused of assault by former campaign manager

September 19, 2022
Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls speaks Campaign volunteer Dominic Patathie guides parking during the Kinney Summer BBQ Bash at the Kinney Family Farm in Oxford, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Democratic candidate Kevin Kinney, D-Iowa, is running for Iowa Senate, District 39.

Iowa Democrats say Republicans fighting “culture wars” instead of focusing on improving the state

September 18, 2022
An attendee watches at a College Republicans watch party for the State of the Union address in Shaeffer Hall on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

UI College Republicans call for expulsion of student who attempted to flip their table at student organization event

September 15, 2022
A sign is seen at a fundraising event for democratic candidates Liz Mathis and Christina Bohannan while democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Mike Franken speaks at the Sutliff Farm & Cider House in Lisbon, Iowa. Franken is running against incumbent U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, who is currently serving his seventh term in the Senate. The wage scale in many communities has stayed flat for 30 years, Franken said. I want [Iowa] to be the place where the 18-year-olds and the 27-year-olds at least consider staying.

Six Democrats run unopposed in Johnson County this midterm season

September 11, 2022
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, meets with Queen Elizabeth II when she delivered her 1991 address to Congress.

Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96, Iowa politicians react to her death

September 8, 2022
Reporters interview Democratic candidates Liz Mathis and Christina Bohannan at a fundraising event at the Sutliff Farm & Cider House in Lisbon, Iowa. Mathis is pursuing a seat in Iowas 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House while Bohannan is pursuing a seat in Iowas 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House. Bohannan and Mathis spoke about polarization in politics, education, abortion rights, and healthcare at the event.

Democrats look to leverage voter engagement for midterm elections

September 3, 2022
Michael Franken, a running democratic candidate for the US Senate spoke today at a meet and greet coined as his ”River to River” This meet and greet was held at Tic Toc restaurant. Held outside, fans of Franken cheered him on as his speech was listened to by his supporters.

Franken responds to Grassley ad criticizing him for comments on rural Iowa

September 3, 2022
U.S. Rep Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks during Ashley Hinson’s BBQ Bash at the Linn County Fairgrounds Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Hinson and other Republicans poke holes in Biden’s agenda ahead of midterms

August 28, 2022
A sign indicates a polling location on Election Day at Horace Mann Elementary School in Iowa City on Nov. 2, 2021. This year’s election is centered on local city councils and school boards.

Iowa election officials navigating new GOP election law ahead of midterms

August 28, 2022
A Downtown Block Party attendee raises their cup to protesters during “Night of Rage,” an abortion-rights protest, in Iowa City on Saturday, June 25, 2022. The protest started at the Pentacrest with speakers, then, protesters marched through Iowa City.

Dobbs decision prompts GOP leadership to cut down abortion access in Iowa

August 23, 2022
The United States Supreme Court Building is seen on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Iowa City LGBTQ+ activists look forward to new Title IX rule taking effect

July 28, 2022
The United States Supreme Court Building is seen on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Advocates move to focus on local solutions after SCOTUS limits EPA regulatory power

July 14, 2022
Executive Director of the Emma Goldman Clinic Francine Thompson speaks during “Bans Off Our Bodies Day of Action for Abortion Rights,” a nationwide day of protests, on the Pentacrest at the University of Iowa on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Thompson encouraged supporters to keep fighting because she said the fight is not over yet.

Reproductive health care clinics continue to provide services post-Roe

July 7, 2022
Mazahir Salih poses for a portrait in her office at the Center for Worker Justice in Iowa City Monday, Oct. 11, 2021.

Center for Worker Justice receives funding to combat wage theft

June 30, 2022
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is seen on Feb. 14.

UI Hospitals and Clinics rolls out vaccines for young children

June 22, 2022
The ACTs Tyler Building is seen in Iowa City on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The Iowa City Community School District bought the building for $8.75 million.

Iowa City Community School District to purchase Tyler Building on ACT campus

June 19, 2022
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