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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

Peyton Downing, Digital/new media columnist

(she/her/hers)

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @Padowning2190

Peyton Downing is a digital/new media columnist at The Daily Iowan. During her sophomore year, Peyton worked as an opinions columnist before serving as Opinions Editor from the summer of 2020 to fall 2020. Peyton is a junior studying journalism and English creative writing with a minor in computer science.

All content by Peyton Downing
Iowa state representative Christina Bohannan speaks at a fundraising event for democratic candidates Liz Mathis and Christina Bohannan at the Sutliff Farm & Cider House in Lisbon, Iowa. Mathis is pursuing a seat in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House while Bohannan is pursuing a seat in Iowa's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House. Bohannan and Mathis spoke about polarization in politics, education, abortion rights, and healthcare at the event. "I've always thought that debate and compromise make us better and stronger as a country," Bohannan said. "But what we have right now is not debate and compromise. It's extremism and chaos."

Opinion | Democrats need to get mad

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
September 5, 2022
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) speaks to a crowd on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at Ashley Hinson’s BBQ Bash at Linn County Fairgrounds. Grassley acknowledged the work that Hinson has done.

Opinion | Politics is too old

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
November 15, 2021
Former Vice President Mike Pence addresses a crowd during a Young Americans for Freedom event at the Iowa Memorial Union main lounge on Nov. 1, 2021. Pence was the main speaker at the event. Pence gave a speech about protecting the United States Constitution from the current administration’s left-leaning values.

Opinion | Mike Pence said nothing

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
November 11, 2021
Opinion | Stay healthy and wear proper attire this winter

Opinion | Stay healthy and wear proper attire this winter

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
November 3, 2021
Former president Donald Trump addresses attendees during his "Save America" rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

Opinion | Democrats do what Republican constituents want

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
October 26, 2021
Opinion | Means testing makes policy less effective, not more

Opinion | Means testing makes policy less effective, not more

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
October 20, 2021
Kimberly Reicks of Ankeny speaks against a mask mandate which the Ankeny School Board voted in favor of during a meeting at Ankeny Centennial High School in Ankeny on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. 20210921ankenyschoolboardmtg

Opinion | Engage with your local school board

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
October 5, 2021
Democratic candidate for Iowa governor Kathy Glasson addresses protestors at a demonstration outside of a Burger King in Des Moines on Monday September, 4 2017. Protestors attended multiple events Des Moines on Labor Day in order to demonstrate in support of a fifteen dollar per hour minimum wage and private sector unions.

Opinion | Unions work for everyone

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
September 22, 2021
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) listens to people after Ashley Hinson’s BBQ Bash on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at Linn County Fairgrounds.

Opinion | Open our arms wider to Afghan refugees

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
August 30, 2021
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) speaks to a crowd on Thursday, April 1 at an Iowa GOP regional reception in Cedar Rapids at the Elmcrest Country Club.

Opinion | Ernst’s newest beef with Biden

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
April 29, 2021
Opinion | Empty the jails

Opinion | Empty the jails

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
April 22, 2021
A sign for the Iowa City Community School District is seen outside the district's administration building on Tuesday, April 28.

Opinion | K-12 In-person needs to be quality and fast, not cheap.

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
March 29, 2021
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are seen on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

Opinion | The truth about transitioning

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
March 10, 2021
Nikole Hannah-Jones speaking with the university lecture committee in a virtual setting on Tuesday, Sept 22, 2020. Nikole spoke on her 1916 project about the continuing history of American slavery.

Opinion | Iowa Republicans are pro-censorship

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
March 4, 2021
Opinion | Trans women belong in women’s sports

Opinion | Trans women belong in women’s sports

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
February 22, 2021
The University Counseling Services office is seen in the Old Capital Mall on Monday, February 17, 2020.

Opinion | Teach children mindfulness

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
February 9, 2021
Opinion | Trans kids are under attack

Opinion | Trans kids are under attack

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
January 31, 2021
Opinion | A basic guide to gender, trans people, and why any of it matters

Opinion | A basic guide to gender, trans people, and why any of it matters

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
December 10, 2020
Opinion | What do we do with the right?

Opinion | What do we do with the right?

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
November 17, 2020
Opinion | Democrats and progressivism

Opinion | Democrats and progressivism

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
November 8, 2020
Johnson County holds drive-in voting at 913 S. Dubuque St. as seen on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020

Opinion | What next?

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
November 3, 2020
Photo Illustration by Katie Goodale

Opinion | Twitch should be political

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
October 21, 2020
Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the second day of her Supreme Court confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on October 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away in September. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/Getty Images/TNS)

Opinion | Trump’s supreme court nominee is a danger to the LGBTQ community

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
October 13, 2020
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa debates Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield on PBS Iowa on Monday, September 28th, 2020.

Opinion | Facebook’s QAnon ban and free speech

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
October 7, 2020
From left, first lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, stand on stage following the conclusion of the first presidential debate at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland on September 29, 2020.

Opinion | We lost the debate

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
October 4, 2020
Opinion | Court nomination has me scared for my life's future

Opinion | Court nomination has me scared for my life’s future

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
September 22, 2020
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. Facilitated by RPI Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Ernst discussed their hardships and highlights throughout their political roles and personal lives.

Opinion | Socialism isn’t on the ballot, senator

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
September 15, 2020
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.

Opinion | Democrats need to give up the gun fight

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
September 3, 2020
Opinion | Cancel canceling 'cancel culture'

Opinion | Cancel canceling ‘cancel culture’

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
August 31, 2020
iStock

Opinion | Don’t pressure post offices

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
August 27, 2020
A young woman draws a portrait of George Floyd during chalk the walk outside of the Coralville Police Department on Monday, June 22, 2020.

Opinion | Arrest warrants are not death warrants

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
August 26, 2020
Twitch is the most popular service for live streaming in the U.S. (Daniel Constante/Dreamstime/TNS)

Opinion | The military needs to stop targeting kids

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
August 5, 2020
Fuerzas federales dispersan a seguidores de Black Lives Matter frente a la Corte Federal Mark O. Hatfield, en Portland, Oregon.

Opinion | Black bags are for groceries, not protesters

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
July 29, 2020
Junior Teresa Mora plays Black Ops 2 in her room at Currier Hall in Iowa City on Monday, February 18, 2019.

Opinion | Video games are an art form

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
July 20, 2020
Opinion | Social media can be a valid news source

Opinion | Social media can be a valid news source

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
July 14, 2020
Opinion | The police must be defunded

Opinion | The police must be defunded

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
July 9, 2020
Participants in Iowa City Pride parade walk towards the old capital.

Opinion | Why Pride means more than just parades

Peyton Downing, Opinions Editor
June 28, 2020
Organizers and protestors chant in support of laborers during a Labour Walkout event in Des Moines on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Organizations in support of laborers across Iowa such as Service Employees International Union, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, and Democratic Socialists of America participated in the rally. (Ben Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Opinion: Don’t you dare cross that strike line

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
April 29, 2020
Opinion: Take note of those who profit from pandemics

Opinion: Take note of those who profit from pandemics

Peyton Downing, Opinions Columnist
April 23, 2020
Opinion: Gender norms shouldn’t dictate clothing

Opinion: Gender norms shouldn’t dictate clothing

Peyton Downing, Columnist
March 8, 2020
Vector icon of a vintage megaphone. Vector vintage poster with red retro megaphone.

Opinion: Independent media is worth your attention

Peyton Downing, Columnist
March 6, 2020
Opinion: Toxic group insiders exclude potential new members

Opinion: Toxic group insiders exclude potential new members

Peyton Downing, Columnist
March 1, 2020
Opinion: Dungeons & Dragons isn’t just for basement dwellers anymore

Opinion: Dungeons & Dragons isn’t just for basement dwellers anymore

Peyton Downing, Columnist
February 19, 2020
Opinion: Media conglomerates wield too much influence and reduce diversity

Opinion: Media conglomerates wield too much influence and reduce diversity

Peyton Downing, Columnist
February 16, 2020
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, addresses supporters at his rally at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. Sen. Sanders and Rep. Osasio-Cortez spoke on climate change and women’s rights.

Opinion: A contentious primary is a good thing for the eventual Democratic nominee

Peyton Downing, Columnist
February 10, 2020
An attendee holds up a sign during the Iowa City Climate Rally held by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., at the Graduate hotel on Sunday, January 12, 2020. Sanders discussed his climate policies, the impact of climate change, the Green New Deal, and the dangers of climate inaction in the government.

Opinion: Joe Rogan endorsing Bernie Sanders isn’t a bad thing

Peyton Downing, Columnist
February 3, 2020
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y, exit the stage after a rally at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. Sen. Sanders and Rep. Osasio-Cortez spoke on climate change and women’s rights.

Opinion: Bernie Sanders is the candidate to win the future

Peyton Downing, Columnist
January 26, 2020
Former Vice President and 2020 democratic candidate Joe Biden greets attendees following his speech at the opening of his campaign office on S. Gilbert St. on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

Opinion: Biden is wrong on violent video games, but he’s not the only one

Peyton Downing, Columnist
January 22, 2020
Logo graphic for CNN. Layers included.

Opinion: CNN’s framing of Sanders-Warren dispute fuels distrust in media

Peyton Downing, Columnist
January 21, 2020
Former Vice President Joe Biden looks at members of the audience during the Teamsters Presidential Candidate Forum in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.

Opinion: Joe Biden’s out-of-date politics isn’t what America needs

Peyton Downing, Columnist
December 9, 2019
Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during the first annual Finkenauer fish fry at Hawkeye Downs on Saturday, November 2, 2019. U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer hosted eight presidential candidates for a fish fry focused on jobs and infrastructure.

Opinion: Pete Buttigieg is a centrist in progressive’s clothing

Peyton Downing, Columnist
December 1, 2019
The title character in the Disney+ u201cStar Warsu201d series u201cThe Mandalorian.u201dnFrancois Duhamel/Lucasfilm Ltd./Disney+

Opinion: The Mandalorian makes Disney+ worth it

Peyton Downing, Columnist
November 19, 2019
Dylan Montigney talks about Japan's esports scene at an interview in the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday, December 10, 2018.

Opinion: Esports are sports, and the UI should support them

Peyton Downing, Columnist
November 17, 2019
Opinion: Twitter beats Facebook on political advertising, but work is still needed

Opinion: Twitter beats Facebook on political advertising, but work is still needed

Peyton Downing, Columnist
November 10, 2019
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk speaks to an audience during his “Culture War” tour at the Iowa Memorial Union on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

Opinion: Honest discussion and debate needs to replace political grifting

Peyton Downing, Columnist
November 4, 2019
From left, Democratic presidential candidates New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), former housing secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, and former Maryland congressman John Delaney take the stage during the first night of the Democratic presidential debate on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/TNS) **FOR USE WITH THIS STORY ONLY**

Opinion: Democrats’ party infighting is unhelpful to the primary process

Peyton Downing, Columnist
October 27, 2019
Margo O'Neill addresses the crowd during a transgender rights rally on the Pentacrest on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. Protesters gathered to promote rights in light of the upcoming elections.

Opinion: Trans-rights case proves America has a way to go on equality

Peyton Downing, Columnist
October 20, 2019
Dylan Montigney talks about Japan's esports scene at an interview in the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday, December 10, 2018.

Opinion: Fortnite signifies how video games are changing

Peyton Downing, Columnist
October 16, 2019
Dave Chappelle performs at the Radio City Music Hall on Aug. 24, 2017 in New York City.

Opinion: Comedy isn’t dead; it’s just evolving

Peyton Downing, Columnist
October 14, 2019
The Old Capitol building is seen in 2018.

Opinion: Being social while being alone can be worth the experience

Peyton Downing, Columnist
October 9, 2019

King isn’t the tragic victim some say he is

Peyton Downing, Columnist
September 30, 2019
Brad Pitt in "Ad Astra" [Francois Duhamel/20th Century Fox]

Opinion: Ad Astra proves Hollywood originality isn’t dead

Peyton Downing, Columnist
September 29, 2019
Photo Illustration by Katie Goodale

Opinion: The vape ban is a smokescreen for the real issue

Peyton Downing, Columnist
September 22, 2019
Voters wait patiently for the caucus to start on Monday Feb. 1, 2016.

Opinion: Digitals caucuses are a no-go, it’s time to look at different options

Peyton Downing, Columnist
September 16, 2019
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Opinion: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is the weird anime we all need

Peyton Downing, Columnist
September 11, 2019
Dylan Montigney talks about Japan's esports scene at an interview in the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday, December 10, 2018. (Jenna Galligan/The Daily Iowan)

Opinion: Small student organizations matter too

Peyton Downing, Columnist
September 10, 2019
Bernie Sanders addresses the crowd during the Bernie 2020 College Campus Tailgate Tour on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at The Old Capitol Building.

Opinion: Sanders has the right plan for criminal-justice reform

Peyton Downing, Columnist
September 8, 2019
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