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.
Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey and state Auditor David Vaudt are downplaying speculation that they will seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010.
Both men have said previously that they are considering challenging Gov. Chet Culver next year. But in order to do so they would have to give up their current office, and most observers consider them safe bets for re-election if they do stay put.
Northey told the Associated Press’ Mike Glover that he is “leaning toward running for secretary of Agriculture,” but that his final decision would come this summer.
Vaudt said he hasn’t officially made up his mind, but according to Glover, “seemed more focused during the interview on his accomplishments as auditor.”
This comes on the heels of former Gov. Terry Branstad and Vermeer Corp. CEO Mary Andringa telling the Des Moines Register Wednesday that they will not run in 2010. So far, only Sioux City businessman and two-time gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats has officially thrown his hat in the ring.
However, former Republican Party of Iowa Political Director Craig Robinson reports on his blog that state Rep. Christopher Rants of Sioux City is beginning to “lay some ground work for a potential campaign,” visiting Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Council Bluffs in the days since the legislative session ended. Rants said previously that Culver’s handling of the same-sex marriage issue would make him more likely to run for governor in 2010. Despite being ousted as minority leader late last year, Rants took a leading roll in the waning days of the 2009 session, spearheading his party’s efforts to overturn the Supreme Court’s gay marriage decision and casting one of only three votes against changes to the state’s sex offender laws.
Others who have indicated they are exploring a run include former state Sen. Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny, state Rep. Rob Roberts of Carroll, Ames businessman and GOP financier Bruce Rastetter and U.S. Rep. Steve King of Kiron.
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