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.
In what’s shaping up to be a hard fought race in House District 90, Republican Stephen Burgmeier has received the endorsement of anti-gay rights organization Everyday America.
The race between Burgmeier and Democrat Curt Hanson to fill the seat left open when Democratic Rep. John Whitaker accepted an appointment to serve as the Iowa director of the Farm Service Agency could become a showdown between special interests and political parties on both sides, and it is seen by many as a blueprint for the general election battles that will take place in 2010.
Stephen Burgmeier (Photo: stephenburgmeier.com)
The Iowa Independent has already reported that conservative group Iowans for Tax Relief is involved in the campaign already, with two members of its leadership team making up Burgmeier’s campaign organization.
The race also marks the first real challenge for the Republican Party of Iowa’s new leadership team. RPI chairman Matt Strawn has already sent out e-mails calling the district a “must win” for his party.
Everyday America’s endorsement should come as no surprise. While serving as a member of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, he introduced a resolution asking lawmakers to take a stand against same-sex marriage. The board passed the resolution unanimously, but did so after the legislature had already adjourned.
Gay rights group One Iowa issued an “Extreme Right Watch” about Burgmeier when he announced his intentions to run, saying he hopes to “undermine the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision that everyone in Iowa deserves equal protection under the law.” They also asked members to support Hansen’s candidacy.
Democrats are calling out their heavyweights as well, with U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin stumping for Hansen last month to help kick off his campaign.
Independent Douglas William Philips and Fourth of July Party member Dan Cesar will also be on the ballot for the special election scheduled for Sept. 1.
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