All posts tagged: Iowa

Iowa Is Back on the Map

Iowa Is Back on the Map

Published by Daniella Wilson

You could be forgiven for ignoring the recent political goings-on in Iowa. The state, which was once a violet-hued hub of unpredictability, has lately elected and reelected Republicans. In last night’s primaries, though, Iowa Democrats nominated the kind of candidates the national party has struggled to find. Josh Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist with a record of winning red areas, is the party’s nominee for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. And Rob Sand, the affably idiosyncratic state auditor who didn’t have a challenger, is officially up for governor. Which means that national Democrats and Republicans are now wrestling with a development that, until this week, had registered as little more than a quiet observation in the broadcast-standard English of farm country: Iowa is competitive again. Let’s start with Turek, whose primary, in the end, wasn’t even close: He beat Zach Wahls, a 34-year-old Democratic state legislator, by more than 25 points. This isn’t because Turek is better-known or more beloved. It’s because he was perceived by Iowa Democrats as more electable. And the …

Iowa primaries; Anti-weaponization fund; Bill Pulte : NPR

Iowa primaries; Anti-weaponization fund; Bill Pulte : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today’s top stories Trump-endorsed Congressman Randy Feenstra lost the Iowa gubernatorial primary race last night to businessman Zach Lahn. It’s a rare blow to President Trump, who has seen almost all of his chosen candidates succeed. Farmers in Iowa have been disproportionately impacted by Trump administration policies like tariffs and the war in Iran. The state is governed by Republicans, but voters have cast their ballots for Democrats in recent federal and state elections. Democratic voters are strategically selecting candidates they believe will best position them to flip seats in November. Voters fill out ballots at Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center on Tuesday in Marion, Iowa. Iowans voting in today’s primary election will nominate candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House in advance of this fall’s midterm elections. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Stephen Maturen/Getty Images 🎧 In the upcoming midterm …

MAHA-backed Zach Lahn defeats Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP primary for governor

MAHA-backed Zach Lahn defeats Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP primary for governor

Published by Sam Flores

Businessman Zach Lahn defeated Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s Republican primary for governor, NBC News projects, as party voters rejected President Donald Trump’s late endorsement in the race. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Earlier Tuesday night, Billy Fuerst, a spokesperson for Feenstra’s campaign, confirmed that he had conceded to Lahn. It’s the first time in the midterm elections that a Trump-backed candidate for governor, the House or the Senate has lost a primary. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, walks up the House steps in 2024.Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images file With 99% of the expected vote counted, Lahn had 37.8% of the vote to 37% for Feenstra. “Clearly a Randy problem. Barely won his own district,” a Trump world strategist said in a text message. “But, it is what it is. So we go with Lahn. That’s fine. He did well.” If no candidate had won at least 35% of the vote, the contest would have been thrown to a state convention later …

Hinson, Turek set to vie for Ernst Senate seat in Iowa 

Hinson, Turek set to vie for Ernst Senate seat in Iowa 

Published by Sam Flores

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and state Rep. Josh Turek (D) are projected to go head-to-head for retiring Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) Senate seat this fall, according to Decision Desk HQ.  Hinson, a former reporter and state lawmaker who has represented the state’s northeastern corner in Congress since 2021, defeated former state Rep. Jim Carlin (R) for the GOP nomination.  Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist who represents a Trump-won… Source link

Turek, Hinson advance to midterms after Iowa Senate primary election wins

Turek, Hinson advance to midterms after Iowa Senate primary election wins

Published by Sam Flores

Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek has won the Democratic nomination for his state’s open U.S. Senate seat, NBC News projects, advancing from a combative primary to a potentially competitive general election in a state that has favored Republicans in recent elections. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Turek, 47, defeated state Sen. Zach Wahls and will face Rep. Ashley Hinson, who won Tuesday’s GOP primary with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, in the general election. A former Paralympic gold medalist in basketball, Turek is backed by former Sen. Tom Harkin, whose “prairie populism” was a staple of Iowa politics until his retirement in 2014. In his victory speech Tuesday night, he reached out to Wahls’ supporters. “Zach has been an exceptional representative for his district and a true public servant for the people of Iowa,” Turek said. “I am grateful for this primary. It has made me a stronger candidate. To Zach supporters: I know I was not your first choice, but I ask each and every …

Iowa Democratic primary could help decide control of the Senate

Iowa Democratic primary could help decide control of the Senate

Published by Sam Flores

Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Josh Turek, left, and Zach Wahls. Getty Images Iowa Democrats on Tuesday are voting in one of the party’s most closely watched primary elections this election year in a key test of the party’s strategy to take control of the Senate in this year’s midterms. Voters will choose between front-runner state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Wahls. Both are vying to become the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in Iowa since Tom Harkin, who was last elected in 2008. Whoever wins the primary will square off against Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican who represents the state’s 2nd congressional district, to fill the seat Sen. Joni Ernst will vacate at the end of this year Hinson also has a primary challenger in Jim Carlin, though she is heavily favored to win. Whoever emerges will have the difficult task of winning in a state that President Donald Trump took by 13 percentage points in 2024, and where there are nearly 200,000 more registered Republican voters than Democrats. Democrats, however, …

California, Iowa, 4 Other States Hold Primaries: Key Races To Watch

California, Iowa, 4 Other States Hold Primaries: Key Races To Watch

Published by Jenni Sidey

Authored by Joseph Lord via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), The California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primaries are among the most closely watched races today. A voter fills out a ballot at a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa, on Nov. 6, 2018. Joshua Lott/Getty Images Voters in six states will go to the polls today for a series of key races. The biggest item of the night will be the litany of races in California, the nation’s largest state. Others will be held in Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, and South Dakota. Here are the most important races to watch. California Governor The race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom is one of the most-watched in the nation. California’s gubernatorial elections are designed to be nonpartisan. With about six candidates polling with at least 5 percent support, only the top two vote-getters will be on the general gubernatorial election ballot in November, even if both are of the same party. In the final weeks leading into the primary, the election underwent a total …

Trump Jumps Into Republican Primaries for Governor in South Carolina, Iowa and Oklahoma

Trump Jumps Into Republican Primaries for Governor in South Carolina, Iowa and Oklahoma

Published by Sam Flores

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed three Republican gubernatorial candidates Friday, wading into contests in South Carolina, Iowa and Oklahoma that have pitted allies against each other in a fierce competition for their party leader’s blessing. In a trio of social media posts, Trump gave his backing to South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra and former Oklahoma state senator Mike Mazzei as primary elections approach. Iowa’s primary is Tuesday, South Carolina’s is on June 9 and Oklahoma’s is on June 16. All three states are having their first competitive Republican gubernatorial primaries in years. For two terms, Evette has served alongside Gov. Henry McMaster, one of Trump’s earliest backers during his first presidential campaign. Earlier this year, the long-serving governor endorsed his No. 2, telegraphing to some that Trump’s backing could be next. On Friday, Trump expressed both appreciation for Evette and the state she represents, noting that she stumped for him in 2024. He also said “A BIG added plus” for her campaign is that Henry McMaster Jr. …

Gov. Reynolds signs Iowa sweepstakes and gambling crackdown expanding enforcement and revising tax withholding

Gov. Reynolds signs Iowa sweepstakes and gambling crackdown expanding enforcement and revising tax withholding

Published by skeptic

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has approved a wide-ranging gambling bill that strengthens enforcement against unlicensed sweepstakes operators while reshaping how the state handles tax withholding on gambling winnings. Reynolds signed Senate File 2289 on May 15, giving the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission expanded authority to pursue unauthorized betting and sweepstakes businesses operating in the state. It also updates financial reporting rules tied to gambling payouts and raises reimbursement limits for commission members. In a letter sent to Secretary of State Paul Pate, Reynolds wrote, “I hereby transmit: Senate File 2289, an Act relating to matters under the purview of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing, and including effective date provisions.” She added, “The above Senate File is hereby approved on this date.” The legislation allows state regulators to issue enforcement actions against companies or individuals offering gambling products in Iowa without proper licensing approval. This applies to sports wagering, fantasy sports contests, pari-mutuel wagering, advance deposit wagering, and sweepstakes-style gambling platforms. One section of the legislation states the commission may take action “including …

One-in-a-million white bison calf born in Iowa

One-in-a-million white bison calf born in Iowa

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. A rare white bison (Bison bison) calf was born at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City, Iowa. Most newborn bison are born with a reddish or brown coat, and the National Park Service estimates that white bison are born every one in one million births. A white bison calf was born at Yellowstone National Park in 2024 and was the first recorded there. Refuge Manager Scott Gilje told WHO Des Moines this is the first time a white bison has been born at the refuge and it’s “something very special.” According to the National Park Service, white bison are very rare, with an estimated one in 1 million births being a white bison in the wild. Whitish bison calf with adult bison on the prairie. Image: Photo courtesy of Hope Anderson / Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge / USFWS There are currently 81 bison living at the 6,000 acre wildlife and plant refuge. As of May …