Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Former State Rep. Ed Fallon officially announced his long-anticipated candidacy against Congressman Leonard Boswell in the third congressional district’s Democratic primary Wednesday afternoon.
“Even though I have a lot of respect for [Boswell] — I think he’s a man of dignity, he served well, this country and our state — we disagree on many issues,” Fallon said to a room filled to the brim by reporters, staff, and volunteers. He cited the Iraq war, the USA PATRIOT Act, vehicle mileage standards, and bankruptcy protection issues as significant areas of disagreement.
In his announcement speech, Fallon framed his candidacy in terms of a desire among Democrats — and the electorate at large — for change. “This fall is going to be a great year for Democrats — particularly for Democrats who represent change,” he said, emphasizing his belief that he could win in a general election.
He also noted that Boswell’s 2006 general election margin of victory was half the size of Gov. Chet Culver’s. “That says something to me,” he said. “It says maybe [Boswell's] style is not resonating.”But Fallon may face difficult odds in the 2008 primary. Boswell’s most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission indicates that he has a war chest of over $600,000 ready to spend on his campaign. The filing shows that Boswell has received donations from several members of the Democratic Congressional leadership, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Democratic Caucus Chair (and former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) Rahm Emanuel, and Majority Whip James Clyburn. Boswell has also earned the endorsement of Sen. Tom Harkin, whom Fallon had previously described as a personal hero.
“I don’t expect a lot of sitting Democratic officials to support [me],” Fallon said. “About 73% of that money that [Boswell] raised is from political action committees. That should be a huge red flag for everyone.”
Fallon has ambitious fundraising plans to compete with his well-funded opponent. “I will raise money. I will raise a lot of money,” he said. “Our budget is $700,000, and I think we can do it.” That goal is particularly ambitious in light of his continuing pledge not to accept money from political action committees (PACs) and lobbyists, which he called “a matter of principle.”
Citing the results of the Iowa Caucuses, in which two candidates who had similar fundraising standards placed first and second, he noted, “It’s being shown right now that you don’t have to take money from PACs to win.”
Unlike Fallon’s long-shot 2006 campaign for the Democratic nomination for Iowa governor, which was not taken very seriously by political commentators for the first several months, his 2008 congressional campaign has already earned significant attention in the media and among activists.
Prominent liberal bloggers from outside Iowa have targeted Boswell for his relatively conservative voting record. Fallon seems happy to capitalize on their efforts. “My campaign is one of several around the country that is going to try to change the character of the new Democratic congress,” he said.
Boswell was targeted particularly because of his votes in favor of continuing to fund the Iraq war throughout 2007, but in December, he changed positions and voted against the most recent funding bill. Asked by Iowa Independent whether Boswell’s switch would negatively impact Fallon’s ability to build a coalition of Democrats against him, Fallon indicated that he thought it might actually help his chances. “If we’re having the effect of getting [Boswell] to do what we hoped he would do all along, that’s great,” Fallon said, touting the influence he may already have had on the direction of Congress.
“But I don’t know if it’s a very sincere conversion. I can’t judge that. I don’t know what’s really going through his mind,” he continued. “But yeah, it does look interesting that [Boswell's switch] happened about the same time that the rumor was spreading about my campaign.”
Sources confirm that Boswell was aware of a possible Fallon candidacy since November, if not earlier.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter