After a court acquittal former Labor Secretary, Ray Donovan, was famously quoted as saying, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?” I’ve chosen pursuits that have put me under a microscope for public scrutiny. I was an Army Officer and after leaving the service I got […]
Iowa Statesman, I was happy to hear the joint statement on tax reform from the US Congress, The White House and others in Washington. It’s about time. Our current tax code is severely dated, complex and debunked. Our tax code has not been updated since Reagan was in office and […]
Christi Gibson June 28, 2017 DES MOINES- With health insurance premiums on the rise and deductibles skyrocketing, not to mention the majority of insurance companies in Iowa abandoning the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Iowans are growing increasingly concerned about healthcare for themselves and their family members. The impending vote on […]
Christi Gibson June 23, 2017 CEDAR RAPIDS- On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, President Donald J Trump visited Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to address his efforts to foster agriculture innovation. The audience consisted of over 200 dignitaries, farmers, and industrial businessmen within Iowa and other states. He spe […]
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Governor Kim Reynolds « Lt. Governor Adam Gregg FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 21, 2017 CONTACT: Brenna Smith, (515) 281-5211 Gov. Reynolds sets Iowa House District 82 special election for August 8 (DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation Wednesday setting the date […]
DES MOINES-Iowa Firearms Coalition President Barry Snell shared their mission of protecting Second Amendment Rights for Iowans at the Bull Moose Club luncheon in Des Moines on Tuesday. He explained how the IFC was formed and gave an update on their legislative achievements since their formation in 2010. “IFC got […]
Christi Gibson June 5, 2017 A group of Iowans gathered at Capitol Square in Des Moines to show their unwavering support of President Trump’s policies & raise awareness for the liberal & biased reporting by the Des Moines Register. Signs, banners, American flags, & patriotic phrases were well received […]
AMERICA FIRST: PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHDRAWS FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD Christi Gibson, June 2, 2017 President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord undoubtedly puts the interests of American workers first. From the beginning, the agreement clearly undermined U.S. competitiveness and jobs, extracted meaningless commitments from the world’s […]
LEON-On the heels of Trump’s refusal for the US to participate in the Paris Accord, Congressman Loebsack (D, Iowa City) said that he supports cities and states that file lawsuits in opposition to President Trump’s decision. “You remember those bumper stickers that said “Think Globally, Act Locally”? I expect that […]
My mom died all of a sudden about a week after she turned 60. My dad was crushed. He had just started transitioning into retirement where he would have a lot time to travel and visit grandkids. He barely slept and would walk around the house finding reminders of […]
COUNCIL BLUFFS—Jon Jacobsen won the Republican nomination for Iowa House of Representatives in District 22, the seat previously held by the late Representative Greg Forristall. “I have enjoyed getting to know many of our friends and neighbors in District 22 through my activities in Pottawattamie County, and I lo forward […]
TREYNOR-Jon Jacobsen of Treynor won the Republican nomination for the special election on June 27th in Pottawattamie County. The special election is to replace former state Representative Greg Forristall, who passed away a few weeks ago. A nominating convention was held on Tuesday in Treynor to select the Republican nominee. […]
Christi Gibson May 28, 2017 The American dream is currently out of reach for too many of our families. Under President Trump’s budget policies- The New Foundation for American Greatness- the economy will boom, incomes will rise, and job opportunities will expand for all American citizens. This budget ensures the […]
Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt of the address given Monday by John Thompson to commemorate Memorial Day at the Jefferson Cemetery in 2016. Just over 150 years ago, Americans celebrated what is now known as Memorial Day to honor those that died in the Civil War. Combat […]
Christi Gibson May 24, 2017 For the first time in our nation’s history, President Donald J Trump selected a Muslim country as his inaugural official visit overseas, addressing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and regional leaders in Riyadh on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Speaking with sincerity of heart […]
On Friday, Governor Reynolds travelled to Mason City as part of her “Building A Better Iowa” tour. Reynolds shattered another glass ceiling last week when she became the first woman to govern the Hawkeye State. Republicans have been trendsetters for women leaders in Iowa. Senator Joni Ernst is the […]
DES MOINES-Kim Reynolds made history when she became Iowa’s first woman Governor on Wednesday morning. Reynolds to the oath of office in the rotunda of the Capitol in Des Moines following the resignation of Governor Terry Branstad as he prepares to serve as an ambassador to China. In her remarks, […]
COUNCIL BLUFFS-The Pottawattamie County GOP met on a rainy Friday evening for their 2017 Annual Lincoln / Reagan Dinner. The high profile audience included US Senator Tom Cotton, Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds, Secretary of State Paul Pate, State Auditor Mary Mosiman and Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett along with local […]
Thursday, May 18, 2017 5:32 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 18, 2017 CONTACT: Colin Tadlock (515) 661-1948 (DES MOINES) – This afternoon, Rep. Joel Fry (R-Osceola) issued the following statement regarding the Iowa Family Planning Program and reports that four Planned Parenthood clinics will close: “During the legislative session, […]
JOHNSTON-The Polk County Republican Women promoted Second Amendment rights at their May meeting at Crossroads Shooting Sports in Johnston. The guest speaker was Iowa Firearms Coalition President Barry Snell, and Secretary of State Paul Pate was in attendance. Barry gave an update on the significant achievements of the IFC […]
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY-The passing of ten year lawmaker, Greg Forristall created the need for a special election. Governor Branstad has set the date for June 27th. Special elections do not have primaries. Instead, egates elected during the caucuses host a convention to ballot qualify candidates. Democrats have taken a pass on […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) Executive Director Scott Will released the following statement: “Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller continues to receive heavy criticism for his legal opinion stating Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will not be allowed to appoint her successor once she is sworn in as governor. […]
URBANDALE, Iowa-Governor Branstad gave a recap of the 2017 Iowa legislative session at the Westside Conservative Club Breakfast at the Iowa Machine Shed on Wednesday. He also expressed his excitement for his upcoming ambassadorship to China once his confirmation is complete. “This was not an easy session. As many of […]
Washington, D.C. – The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) issued the following statement regarding Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller’s effort to politicize gubernatorial succession. RAGA is also launching a digital ad campaign criticizing Miller’s actions. “Tom Miller is playing politics with a serious situation,” said RAGA Executive Director Scott Will. […]
DES MOINES, Iowa-Iowans can expect greater integrity in their elections following the signing of HF 516 by Governor Branstad on Friday. At the initiative of Secretary of State Paul Pate, the bill was introduced in the House by Representative Ken Rizer (R, Marion) and Senator Roby Smith (R, Bettendorf) in […]
DES MOINES, Iowa-Pro-life supporters gathered at the Capitol on Friday as Governor Branstad signed SF 471 into law, a bill that bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bill also requires abortion providers to inform women of alternative options to abortion, to provide an opportunity to view an ultrasound […]
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Governor Terry E. Branstad « Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 1, 2017 Contact: Governor’s Office, 515-281-5211 (DES MOINES) – Today, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds released statements upon learning of shootings involving Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputies. “Earlier today, I […]
May 1, 2017 Lieutenant Governor to Serve as Governor, But Lacks Authority to Appoint Lieutenant, Attorney General Opinion Concludes Formal opinion responds to request by state senator as Governor Branstad prepares to resign for ambassadorship DES MOINES – Attorney General Tom Miller Monday issued a formal legal opinion stating that […]
FORT DODGE-Fourth District Republicans met to elect new leadership to the District Executive Committee that assists in coordination and planning among county parties in the northwest Iowa Congressional District. The chairs and co-chairs of the 39 counties in the district are members of the DEC with an additional member from […]
URBANDALE, Iowa-Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard and County Supervisor Mark Hanson spe the members of the Westside Conservative Club on Wednesday at a breakfast at Iowa Machine Shed restaurant. They shared information about an upcoming bond vote for a new law enforcement facility that will be an improvement to the […]
DES MOINES, Iowa-The Republican Party of Iowa hosted a final farewell reception for the longest-serving Governor in United States History, Governor Terry Branstad, on Tuesday at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. Previous receptions were held in both Davenport and Sioux City in March. Republican Party of Iowa Chair […]
DAVIS CITY, Iowa-Congressman Dave Loebsack admitted that he faces a tough race going into the 2018 Election. The Congressman from Iowa’s Second District, which includes southeast and south central Iowa, appeared at a series of legislative coffees throughout southern Iowa on Saturday to visit with constituents. While answering questions from […]
The Iowa Federation of College Republicans held their annual state convention Saturday at Drake University. Students from 10 campuses across Iowa listened to special guests, Senator Joni Ernst, Congressman David Young, State Auditor Mary Mosiman, and Chandler Thornton, a candidate for National Chair from Maryland. MacKenzie Dreeszen, a Polk County […]
Ethics and transparency in government was the topic of the April Polk County Republican Women’s meeting. Kendra Mills Arnold, the general counsel for the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) was the guest speaker on Thursday. Founded in 2014 by Matt Whitaker, FACT is a non-profit government watchdog organization […]
Iowans will now be able to enjoy shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July. The Iowa House passed SF 489, which would allow the legal sale of fireworks in temporary structures in the weeks of June 1st to July 8th and December 10th to January 3rd. The bill was […]
Nearly 1,000 Iowans celebrated their faith at the 56th Annual Iowa Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning. A Maunday Thursday tradition, the breakfast is held every year at the Iowa Events Center. The program was emceed by Polk County Supervisor Steve Van Oort, with Governor Terry Branstad welcoming everyone in attendance. […]
A bill to reform the process for civil asset forfeiture passed the Iowa House on Monday. SF 446 was introduced by Representative Greg Heartsill (R, Melcher-Dallas) following its passage in the Iowa Senate. The bill received bipartisan support in the House and now awaits passage by Governor Branstad. “Civil asset […]
A bill banning abortions after 20 weeks was passed in the Iowa House on Wednesday following its passage in the Senate. The bill was introduced by Representative Shannon Lundgren (R, Peosta) and voted along party s, unlike the bipartisan support that it received in the Senate. Attempts were made by […]
Eric Gjerde announced a challenge for a State House race by violating the law that prevents public resources to be used for partisan purposes. The Linn County teacher filmed a campaign announcement video from his desk at Thomas Jefferson High School. Gjerde is challenging first term incumbent Republican Ashley Hinson […]
![Loebsack: “No Evidence of [Trump] Collusion With Russia”](http://www.theiowastatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Loebsack-200x150.png)
CLINTON- Congressman Dave Loebsack (D, Iowa City) visited with constituents in Clinton at a casual lunch at Jenny’s Diner on Saturday. When asked about the investigation of Russia’s involvement in the Presidential Election, Loebsack replied that “The FBI has officially said that they do not have any evidence of what […]
CEDAR RAPIDS- Last week Linn County Auditor, Joel Miller, dismissed a complaint filed by Democrats insisting that Rep. Ken Rizer had moved out of the district. The complaint was completely without merit and sent to the media as a means to highlight Rizer’s divorce and bring public attention to his […]
Hundreds of pro-life activists gathered at the Capitol on Thursday in response to a call to action by the Coalition of Pro-Life Leaders of Iowa. This followed the passage of a SF 471 which would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in the House Human Resources committee on Wednesday. […]
DES MOINES- Senator Brad Zaun told over 200 pro gun Iowans in a meeting organized by Suzanne Anglewicz of the NRA that on Tuesday the State Senate will pass the omnibus gun bill with no weakening amendments. The Wednesday evening meeting was held for […]
Obtaining certain prescriptions will become easier for many Iowans. HF 233, a bill reforming step therapy protocol, passed the Iowa House on Monday. The bill was debated on the House floor after it was referred to the Human Resources committee by a subcommittee chaired by Representative Tom Moore (R, Griswold) […]
Labor leader, Danny Homan, filed an ethics complaint against the Director of Americans For Prosperity in Iowas as retaliation for supporting legislation that balanced the needs of tax payers with public employees. Klein has been registered as a lobbyist for years. In order to file positions on legislation and get […]
Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines has once again lowered decorum at the State Capitol. McCoy has previously engaged in hostile smear campaigns of his colleagues and told one of his own constituents, “I’m coming for your guns, F***face!” During the debate on fireworks, Tuesday, McCoy mocked the religious beliefs […]
Secretary of State Paul Pate attended the Story County Republican Central Committee Meeting on Monday to discuss the voter integrity bill and issues affecting his office. He mentioned the current decorum of the people showing up at the Capitol and legislative events in Iowa. “I served two terms in the […]
This Letter to the Editor was initially published in Greene County newspapers in July of 2015 and is being republished in consideration of the upcoming State Senate Debate on legalizing fireworks in Iowa. To the Editor, This Fourth of July please be considerate to veterans by treating them like tough, […]
Follow Us