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.
The Iowa Democratic Party accused Secretary of State Matt Schultz of using public resources to advocate against a presidential hopeful, according to a complaint to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board filed by party chairwoman Sue Dvorsky.
In the complaint, Dvorsky claimed Schultz, a Republican, sent out a press release on the Secretary of State’s website denigrating former Utah governor and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, saying he is unqualified to run for President.
Huntsman, also a Republican, is not an official 2012 presidential candidate but has formed an exploratory committee. He recently told the Associated Press he was avoiding campaigning in Iowa because he disagrees with ethanol subsidy policies.
As of Thursday night, the press release, dated June 6, was still on the Secretary of State’s website.
“Apparently, Huntsman believes that he will not get a fair shake in Iowa because he opposes ethanol subsidies,” Schultz said in the press release. “In my opinion, this excuse seems to have as much credibility as ‘the dog ate my homework.’”
“Given that the primary role of the Secretary of State’s Office is to administer elections, which should be conducted fairly without preferential treatment to a candidate, I hope the politicization of this office is addressed fully,” Dvorsky said Thursday. “If his actions were permissible, state resources could be made available to candidates for federal office on an unlimited basis.”
Follow Meghan Malloy on Twitter
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