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 national buzz on Iowa’s upcoming special election in Senate District 18 may be focused on the future of civil marriage, but you’d never know it from the candidate outreach to local residents.
“Better jobs. Reduced regulations. Balanced budgets,” reads one direct mail piece from the Republican Party of Iowa on behalf of candidate Cindy Golding.
Senate District 18 residents might be taking a second glance at yards that feature both Mathis and Lundby signs. Daniel Lundby, son of now deceased long-time GOP legislator Mary Lundby, is seeking election to the Iowa House as a Democrat. (Photo: Lynda Waddington/The Iowa Independent)
In fact, of the more than a dozen direct mailers — all sent by the political parties, and the vast majority from Democrats — examined by The Iowa Independent, there is not one mention of marriage, abortion or any of the divisive social conservative issues that dominated the 2011 General Assembly.
As has been noted here and in other media, the Nov. 8 special election will decide if Democrats maintain a slim one-seat majority in the Iowa Senate or if the chamber will once again fall under co-party rule with 25 senators on either side of the aisle.
While an evenly split senate does not guarantee passage of the agenda pushed by religious conservatives — for instance, a constitutional amendment barring civil marriage for gays and lesbians or legislation that would outlaw all abortion and most birth control — it might make such proposals more palpable. Throughout the last legislative session social conservatives have lashed out at the Democratic majority, implying that the lawmakers aren’t Christian and are unethical.
As The Iowa Independent noted Thursday morning, Mathis has outraised Golding in the race thus far. Here’s a look at the messaging that has been bought with a portion of political contributions thus far:
Follow Lynda Waddington 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