The Historical Roots of Public Education In Iowa

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Trish Nelson

In a way, the change vibe now happening in Iowa all started with Democrat Mike Zimmer winning a state senate seat in a special election in January of 2025, in a district Donald Trump won by 21 points. With more than 40 years of experience in public education serving in various capacities from teacher to coach to school board president, few are more qualified to speak on the subject of public education in Iowa. He was able to convince voters in a Trump district that they should vote for a Democrat. Subsequently, his work in the Iowa senate has been impressive. Check out his floor speeches on Instagram.

I subscribe to his newsletter even though I don’t live in SD 35 because I always learn something. This week he discusses the history of our state’s commitment to public education, and reviews the damage done by the last decade of single party rule.

Click here to subscribe. Or you can follow on Facebook.

From the Desk of Senator Zimmer

In 2004, the U.S. Mint produced Iowa’s state quarter. On the back is a Grant Wood painting of a one room public school house, the planting of a tree, and the phrase, “Foundation in Education.” Iowa doesn’t have ocean beaches, world renowned amusement parks, or major league sports teams. What we have/had is a welcoming attitude, strong work ethic, and support for public education.

The foundation for Iowa’s public schools was established by the Federal Land Ordinance Act of 1785. This Act established our present-day Township structure. Each Township is six square miles or 36 one-square-mile sections (how we got the term, “country mile”). Each section comprises 640 acres and Section 16 was designated for a public school. While still a territory, settlers in Iowa began building one-room public schools with the first in Lee County (Fort Madison and Keokuk). In 1850, four years after becoming a state, Iowans understood that education beyond the 8th grade was important and established the first public high school, nearly 50 years before it was common practice in the rest of the country.

With this background, it is time that Iowa again set the education standard by offering all day preschool (3-4-year-olds). Research (JAMA. 2014 Nov 26;312(20):2126–2134. doi) has shown that all day preschool education mitigates achievement gaps, enhances social/emotional learning, and reduces future remedial services. Using the current preschool classroom cap of 10:1, public school districts would access the per pupil funding to employ highly qualified, licensed K-6 and PreK-K-endorsed teachers. Census data indicates that Iowa has between 35-38,000 4-year-olds each year and currently 41,000 students receiving an Educational Savings Account (ESA) or voucher to attend a private school. Reallocating the public funds to support all day preschool programming would place Iowa back in the educational forefront. Combined with additional birth-3 and wrap around day care, this support would provide much needed financial reprieve to working parents.

The Iowa settlers knew that the path to economic growth was education and with considerable investment and high expectations, Iowa became one of the top ranked education states in the country. After 10 years of underfunding our public schools, adding unfunded mandates, dictating curriculum, and belittling teachers, we’re now ranked 27th and every single teaching licensure is defined as hard to fill. We have to and we can do better!

During the interim period, when the legislature is not in session and I am here in the district, I take every opportunity I can get to chat with our friends and neighbors in the district about the issues that affect them every day. Hearing from you, especially in person, helps shape my work at the Capitol. What I’m hearing, over and over again, is just how tough it is for folks right now.

A 2026 report from the United Way shows that 1 in 3 Iowa households cannot afford to meet basic needs (things like food, housing, clothing, and transportation). The report talks about the cost of food and rent rising much faster than wages; it talks about how families struggle to balance work, caregiving, and financial stress while trying to stay healthy in a diminished healthcare landscape; and it talks about the impact of limited childcare slots on working families.

Another report, this one from the Common Sense Institute of Iowa, shows that Iowans are paying, on average, $1,508 more per month than they were in 2020. In that time, the monthly costs of housing, transportation, and food have risen by $531, $406, and $198, respectively.

I see these pressures reflected in the conversations I have with constituents. I hear about how the high costs of groceries, gas, and housing are squeezing monthly budgets. When local clinics close I hear how worried folks are about how it will affect their healthcare-related costs – is there a doctor nearby, or will you have to travel further to receive care? When local employers lay off workers I hear how the uncertainty and anxiety add even more stress to the mix.

And the backdrop for all of this added pressure is a floundering state economy built around budget priorities that aren’t designed to focus on working Iowans. Under the Republican trifecta in Des Moines, culture war distractions and special interest policy priorities have moved to the forefront while strengthening public education, restoring worker protections, expanding healthcare access, and growing our childcare capabilities have been relegated to the back of the line.

The latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Iowa was one of just three states with a shrinking GDP in the first quarter of 2026. Our state has lost more than 11,000 jobs in the last year. We’re working under back-to-back billion-dollar state budget deficits. Private school vouchers now drain hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars every year. Instead of working toward a more welcoming Iowa that works for everyone, attracts new businesses, and grows our workforce, Republican lawmakers have spent years pushing people away and now we’re all paying the price.

Making Iowa a more affordable and welcoming state isn’t just good, commonsense policy, it’s become an economic necessity. More than ever, we need to put aside the trivial nonsense and focus on what Iowans actually need; on the issues you tell me about in the grocery store and at the farmer’s market. That’s why Senate Democrats have introduced and will continue to fight for a whole slate of bills designed to address affordability, healthcare access, worker security, and more of the everyday concerns Iowans face. Because it’s tough out there, and Iowans deserve better.

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Weekly Pro-Democracy Action Events Around Iowa

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Trish Nelson


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Your weekly guide to taking action in Iowa August 3-9, 2026

A weekly roundup of Iowa political events, protests, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide from August 3-9, 2026.

📅 Monday (Aug. 3)

IA: Calls for Clean Water: 1 p.m., Ankeny 

Pro-democracy/Anti-Trump demonstration: 4:15 p.m., corner of Spring Street and Kimberly Road, Davenport

📅 Tuesday (Aug. 4)

IA: Des Moines Canvass for Clean Water: 5:30 p.m., Des Moines

Cedar Rapids Town Hall: 6:30 p.m., Cedar Rapids

📅 Wednesday (Aug. 5)

Hump Day Holler – Visibility Bridge: 5:30 p.m., Pedestrian Bridge at 1101 N Broadway, Council Bluffs

Solidarity Social: 7 p.m., Iowa City Public Library Room A, Iowa City

IA Training: Clean Water Conversations: 7 p.m., Ankeny

📅 Thursday (Aug. 6)

DSM Visibility Brigade over I-235: 7:30 a.m., Rider Way pedestrian bridge by Roosevelt HS, Des Moines

Civil Rights Commission Community Office Hours: 2 p.m., Downtime Library Commons, Cedar Rapids

Tipton Postcard Party: 4 p.m., Tipton Public Library, Tipton

4 Corners Peaceful Protest: 4:30 p.m., near the Casey’s/Methodist Church in Panora

IA: Calls for Clean Water: 6 p.m., Ankeny 

📅 Friday (Aug. 7) 

Vigil for Immigrant Rights: noon., Waterloo Post Office, Waterloo

Jefferson Protest: noon, Jefferson Square, Jefferson

FED-UP!!! FRIDAYS: 2 p.m., Neal Smith Federal Building, Des Moines

Linn County Visibility Brigade: 3:45 p.m., Emmons Street overpass, Hiawatha

Drinking Liberally – Humboldt County: 6:30 p.m., Truck Lift Brewing, Humboldt 

📅 Saturday (Aug. 8)

Unite & Rise for Voting Rights – LWV Johnson County: 7:30 a.m., Iowa City Farmers Market, Iowa City

Unite & Rise for Voting Rights – LWV Johnson County: 9 a.m., Iowa City

How we win in Iowa: Des Moines Action Session: 10 a.m., Des Moines 

Davenport Canvass for Clean Water: noon, Lafayette Park, Davenport

Perry Protest: noon, First and Willis by the bicycle sculpture, Perry

Peaceful Protest: 1 p.m., corner of Mamie Eisenhower Avenue and Story Street, Boone

Des Moines Canvass for Clean Water: 5:30 p.m., Des Moines

📅 Sunday (Aug. 9)

Henry County First Amendment Rally: noon., front of the courthouse, Mount Pleasant

How we win in Iowa: Cedar Rapids Action Session: noon, 1028 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids

IA: Iowa City Voter Registration Canvass: 1 p.m., Fairmeadows Park Shelter, Iowa City

VIGIL by the Pott Co. Jail (Ice Detention Facility): 3 p.m., Big Lake Road and N. 16th Street, Council Bluffs

How we win in Iowa: Davenport Action Session: 4 p.m., UFCW, Davenport

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Reynolds’ Private School Voucher Program Continues To Harm Iowa Public Schools

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Trish Nelson

photo: civilbeat.org


Rural public school districts are grappling with the effects of Iowa’s funding of Education Savings Accounts, which cover tuition and other costs of private K-12 schools. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Minnesota Reformer)

‘What did we do wrong now?’: Rural Iowa schools weigh impact of ESA expansion

by Kadin Luhmann, Iowa Capital Dispatch
July 31, 2026

As Iowa’s Education Savings Account program continues to expand to include all K-12 families, rural public school districts are still trying to determine how the scholarships will affect their classrooms, budgets and enrollment.

Supporters argue ESAs give families more educational choices, while critics say the program diverts money away from public schools that remain the center of many rural communities.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the ESA program into law in 2023, allowing eligible families to use public funds toward private school tuition and other expenses. Eligibility for the program has expanded each year. For the 2026-27 school year, all Iowa K-12 families are eligible to receive ESAs.

Joshua Brown, president of Iowa State Education Association, said many public schools have had to make difficult financial decisions that include cutting elective programs or cutting core curriculum teachers.

“You have situations like what was happening in Boone, where they’re eliminating their 100‑year orchestra program to ensure that they can still offer the core curriculum,” Brown said. “Other schools are eliminating a second-grade classroom teacher and just combining classes, which is going to increase class size.”

Brown said in the most drastic cases, rural schools have had to merge with other districts to streamline resources and reduce costs, or choose to only have an elementary school and then their secondary programs go to another district.

Creston

Creston, a town of more than 7,500 people, has two private schools along with its public school district.

Deron Stender, superintendent of Creston Community Schools,  said Creston schools only lose a handful of students to private schools each year, but small changes still have a major financial and structural impact.

“Each year we see maybe three to five more kids go than in previous years,” Stender said. “In a district of my size, three to five kids is still a significant number. $8,000 is roughly what a student is worth when they go someplace else.”

Stender said the implementation and expansion of the ESA program has created new challenges for retaining staff and stabilizing the district’s finances.

“We’ve always been challenged with finding and retaining qualified employees, especially in rural communities,” Stender said. “Having two private schools in my community has increased that challenge for us. We lose some of our best teachers because they’re able to pay them the same or more.”

Southeast Valley

Brian Johnson, superintendent of Southeast Valley School District in Webster County, said the “narrative” surrounding public school educators, and laws regarding public schools have led to staff losses for the district.

“The negative narrative that I believe is being spread really affects a lot of these people that have dedicated their lives to educating kids, and it just seems like some of the storylines or some of the laws that are being passed are tough for people to swallow,” Johnson said.

Johnson said most of the students that leave Southeast Valley end up being homeschooled, as there are no private schools in the Southeast Valley District.

Johnson said Iowa public and private schools “play by different rules,” despite both receiving public funding, and that’s “unfair.”

“I know there’s a lot of frustration every spring or winter when the legislative session meets because I get asked like, ‘What now? What did we do wrong now,’” Johnson said. “Why do private schools and public schools, if they’re getting the same amount of funding, not have to follow the same rules or laws or guidelines?”

Market-based competition

Shane Vander Hart, communications director for Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education, said the ESA program allows for competition between public and private schools, which encourages both to be better.

“Ultimately, I think school choice will help improve public schools because it’s forcing them to be competitive,” Vander Hart said. “The majority of Iowans will still send their kids to the public school, but public schools might have to rethink their approach and the legislators might have to rethink the approach to school finance. School districts and school boards, in particular, will have to look at how many, for instance, non-teaching staff they employ.”

Brown argued that the idea of market-based competition does not match what families are seeing in much of rural Iowa, saying there is no accountability for how private schools are using ESA funds.

“The issue with that logic is that we’re not playing by the same rules,” Brown said. “Private schools receiving ESAs have no accountability for how they’re using these funds, and no oversight to ensure that they are following all of the state laws.”

Brown added that in many rural school districts, parents have to make difficult decisions, saying public schools are not properly funded by the state.

“The only choice a parent has is to go to their public school that’s underfunded, or go to an online private school where their student doesn’t have the opportunity to connect with other students,” Brown said.

Vander Hart argued concerns about public school districts losing funding are overstated, saying public schools still receive approximately $1,600 in per pupil funding for ESA recipients who leave public schools.

“They’re still getting money for students they’re not even educating,” Vander Hart said. “This idea that public schools should get money for students that aren’t attending there anymore is something you could argue, but I’m not very sympathetic toward that view.”

Stender said Creston receives nearly $1,200 in per pupil funding for students who leave for private schools, but state laws lock that money into specific categorical funds, such as money for “gifted and talented” or supplemental teacher salaries.

“We could use those $200,000 to hire two or three people to help with our behavioral or mental health issues,” Stender said. “Right now, the way it’s categorical, we can’t do that.”

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com.

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Ryan Peterman Calls Out Paul Pate For Releasing Iowa Voter Information

Posted on August 3, 2026 by Trish Nelson

ICYMI – Please support Ryan Peterman, Democrat for Iowa Secretary of State.  petermanforiowa.com

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Women Leading The Way!

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Dave Bradley

I just have a couple of videos to share this morning. Both feature women who are leading the way in cutting through the fog, bluster BS and frankly cruelty of the Trump Administration.

The first is a short clip of Leigh McGowan – aka Politics Girl. She just demolishes Trump and his extremist right wing talking points on communism. {note: communism?? Is this guy in the third level of dementia or what?}  I don’t know who the woman claiming communism is something to be afraid of, but I am willing to bet she won’t look back at this fondly (1.5 minutes):

Next we have a 21 minute interview of Kaitlin Collins of CNN by Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. Why can she stand up to Trump when few others can or will. It is sad that someone who really is simply doing her job is considered a heroine. But, please, keep it up:

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Sunday Funday: The Worm Is Turning Edition

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Dave Bradley

2.5 minutes  – Been looking for a spot to play this video of a couple of left handed b-ball players:

The state of Iowa is turning. Iowans are anxious to vote for Democrats. They are also anxious to feel what it is like to actually be represented in the halls of government again, rather than being ignored by their elected representatives. Iowans want to see their representatives work on issues like inflation, healthcare, the cost of living and corruption rather than “cultural” issues that hide the real problems.

In just a few weeks, Iowans can begin to let their MAGA representatives how mad that they are for being ignored and made the fool by Trump and company.

 

WOW! They just won’t let up.

 

A) Due to Kentucky election laws on August 3, we may get some clue as to what state what missing senator is in?

 

B) Thanks to the discovery process in lawsuits, what corporation being sued by Donald Trump got access to his financial records?

 

C) What two senators blocked the nomination of Todd Blanche for US AG?

 

D) As we noted in the video above, former President Barack Obama plays basketball among his hobbies. What was Iowa’s only president Herbert Hoover do as his main post-presidential hobby?

 

E) Democrats have chosen what state to be the leadoff contest for their 2028 presidential preference contests?

 

F) In Georgia, Apalachee school shooter Colt Gray was sentenced to life without parole for the shooting. What sentence did his father receive for buying his son the gun that was used in the shooting?

 

G) In Minnesota a law just went into effect that bans AI “nudification” technology. What technology company has filed suit to stop this ban?

 

H) The Gordie Howe Bridge over a river between what two countries opened last week despite a boycott by one of the countries?

 

I) Over 30 water plants in what US states were shut down by hackers early in the week?

 

J) Perhaps the second worst president ever, George W. Bush eases his mind with what hobby in his retirement?

 

K) Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky used his committee to go after what hero of the Covid pandemic on made up allegations?

 

L) The Great Destroyer (Donald Trump) once more has his sights set on destroying and rebuilding what governmental property in DC to the tune of @ $2B?

 

M) In Iowa, polls have what candidate leading the US Senate race by 4%?

 

N) President Eisenhower’s hobby was rather well known. What was Ike’s post-presidential passion?

 

O) In news that has Europe roiling, what group is tentatively talking about selling a portion of what most popular athletic endeavor?

 

P) What company has come to a tentative settlement in lawsuits concerning its baby powder product?

 

Q) Secretary of War! Pete Hegseth came to congress to ask for how much in next year’s budget for his Department?

 

R) This former president engaged in many strenuous activities including combat sports, eploration and big game hunting and writing books?

 

S)  Rep. Max Miller (R- O) has been accused of domestic abuse. Miller’s father-in-law is what US Senator?

 

T) Stepping into the ignomineous light is what vehicle called the “worst ever?” Even worse than the hugely ridiculed Ford Edsel.

Trump and the DOJ are asking the Supreme Court to toss E. Jean Carroll’s $83 million defamation verdict, arguing he can’t be sued for comments he made as president. Notice he’s NOT saying, “Because I didn’t do anything wrong.” – Karly Kingston

tip of the hat to all-hat-no-cattle.com

 

Answers:

 

A) Mitch McConnell

 

B) the BBC 

 

C) Tom Tillis of NC and John Cornyn of Texas

 

D) Fishing

 

E) South Carolina

 

F) 15 years for supplying the weapon

 

G) xAI the AI company owned by Elon Musk

 

H) The US and Canada

 

I) Minnesota

 

J) painting

 

K) Anthony Fauci

 

L) Dulles Airport

 

M) Josh Turek

 

N) Golf

 

O) FIFA is talking about privatizing some of its pieces.

 

P) Johnson and Johnson

 

Q) $1.5 Trillion – i don’t believe that buys any wars

 

R) Teddy Roosevelt

 

S) Bernie Moreno (R – O)

 

T) the Tesla cyber truck. 

 

Funny how you can track a thirteen year old child across state lines when she’s needing an abortion, but not for the adult who raped her. 

Because god forgive we infringe on HIS rights. – Zain {note: this happened in Texas}

tip of the hat to all-hat-no-cattle.com

Posted in #nevertrump, 2026 election, Humor | Leave a comment

Surprise! MAGAs Choking Medicaid And Drug Insurance

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Dave Bradley

What?! you didn’t think this would happen?

2 minutes:

Certainly the Republicans wouldn’t do this to their own voters, would they?

Well guess what loyal Republicans! This is only the vanguard of what is to come. The ultimate goal is to shut down Social Security, Medicaid, SNAP and any other program that helps anyone not already wealthy. Expect to see huge activity on these issues to get them through before the end of the Trump disastrous term if they can’t steal the election this fall.

Most people would recognize that destroying programs that citizens depend on just before an election is not smart politics. However Republicans are so desperate to kill social programs for the non-rich they are willing to take the chance. I am sure they figure they have ways to steal or deny election results and will be able to keep their majorities in congress.

To get to specifics it has already well circulated that thanks to the Republicans “Big Beautiful (ugly) Bill last year that gave billionaires huge tax cuts got that money for tax cuts by cutting Medicaid for the poor starting in January of 2027. The cuts were to the tune of over $1 Trillion. In Iowa that is expected to translate into over 100,000 people losing access to healthcare.

That size of cuts will affect healthcare for everyong in Iowa as jobs are lost and hospitals and clinics close. Not only will that make visits to doctors and nurses harder to get but also more expensive. Plus it will create the mileau in which people don’t get healthcare making infectious diseases easier to spread.

1 minute:

We are already seeing early effects of such closures. Many of the people affected by losing Medicaid reside in Iowa’s less populated counties. Since healthcare facilities struggle in those counties already expect that closures will have an outsized effect on those counties.

Last Monday the Trump Administration threw yet anotherbomb into their war on Medicaid and Medicaid recipients: They will be cutting subsidies for those who get Medicare drug coverage. While drug coverage will still be available, it may be prohibitively expensive or the coverage will be much less or co-pays may be much higher.

From iowaindependentnews.com we have a brief summation leading into their story on the effects of the Medicaid cuts in Iowa:

More than 600,000 Medicaid recipients in Iowa are struggling to keep their health insurance a year after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump, according to a new report by Progress Iowa and Fairness for Iowa, two progressive advocacy groups.

The law cut funding for Medicaid and other federal health programs by $1 trillion over a decade and slashed funding for food assistance for low-income families in order to pay for tax cuts that mostly benefited the wealthiest Americans. Every member of Iowa’s all-Republican congressional delegation voted in favor of the law.

“This transformative legislation enacts tax cuts for working Iowans, permanently secures the border, and strengthens Medicaid for vulnerable populations while rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Rep. Ashley Hinson in a July 3, 2025, press release. “Nearly 80 million Americans voted for this commonsense, conservative agenda, and I’m proud to work with President Trump to deliver a stronger, safer, and more prosperous America and Iowa.”

The Medicaid cuts spurred closures and service reductions at Iowa health centers, the report says, forcing residents to travel further to access critical care.

Adding to the disaster is that many folks will be forced to work, even if they are not really able. The guidelines on who must work to get Medicaid benefits right now is really murky. There is a very good chance that even cancer patients will be forced to work in order to get benefits.

If you think you are somehow immune from the cruel and punishing treatment of the Trump administration, think again. No one is immune from them. And remember also that if their power is not curbed by a massive win in the midterms this fall, they will double and triple down on their cruelty.

If you ever had fantasies of doing battle with evil incarnate as you have read about in books and seen in movies and TV, this is your chance!. Vote for good government and for a much brighter future. Vote Democratic in November.

3 minutes:

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Returning To The Fifties

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Dave Bradley

5 minutes:

Watching bits and pieces of the show trial of former Center For Disease Control member and NIAID leader Anthony Fauci it dawned on me what the goal of today’s extremist right wing Republican Party is. Their goal is to break down any opposition to their absolute control of the apparatus of the state. And they have a model to guide them – the USSR of the 1950s.

Seeing Rand Paul take absolute control of his show trial brought up memories of the show trials that we would see in newsreels in the classrooms of the late 1950s. A victim would be sitting in a chair while a member of the state apparatchik would read charges and pronounce sentence. Then the victim would disappear, never to be seen or heard from again. We the students were supposed to get the message that communism was bad. Apparently some got the idea that this is how government should work.

 

We haven’t quite reached the stage where the victim is disappeared, but that is probably in the works. One major message to take from Wednesday’s show trial is that anyone could be the selected victim no matter what they have done in life or what side of the ideological spectrum they fall on. Get in the way of the dictator and BOOM! You are facing charges and punishment.

 

It was somewhat karmic that our wannabe dictator, Trump the First, started making reference to Communists as the Great Enemy recently. Most of America thought his calling out of Communism was really odd and signaled even more severe mental decline. However, this has been a trick of Trump’s to kind of tip their hand as to what may be their next tactic. Apparently, emulating the 1950s show trial in the Soviet Union is the next move.

 

As I said everyone and anyone may be targets of their regime. When it comes to public records few in this country have ever reached the level of Dr. Fauci. He saved millions and often squelched incipient pandemics. He served admirably under seven administrations. But somehow one day he said or did the wrong thing and became the first in what may be a series of show trials. Comey, Jack Smith – who else is on their docket? Biden, Obama, Kamala Harris?

By the way – did you notice that this hearing accomplished the one thing Trump wants more than anything – no mention of Jeffrey Epstein. And have you noticed that through this year so far Epstein’s name has been pretty much non-existent in the news media as Trump fails at his war; as he ruins the White House and grounds; as he replaces history with lies; as he insults our former partners across the globe; as he throws your money and mine into fixing his major bribe; as he manipulates the stock market for personal gain; as he pours our money into his family’s companies; as he openly takes bribes; and so much, much more.

 

So while the extremist Republicans indulge in their fantasies about Communists behind every bed but re-enact their absolute power of the 1950s, You – yes YOU – have the power to stop them. Vote! and get your neighbors and family to vote to knock Republicans out of office before their cosplay as dictators goes too far.

Remember that here in Iowa, we are at the very beginning of what will be a decimating period as Iowans lose access to Medicaid, SNAP benefits, Medicare Drug insurance subsidies and much more. remember that none of this would have happened without the aid of Senators Grassley and Ernst and Iowa four extremist congress members – Hinson, Zach Nunn, Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra.

You can be the hero you always wanted to be and help stop Trump crimes with a vote for real American values – vote for the Democrats this fall.

 

They deserve to be thrown out just as rudely as Rand Paul treated Dr. Fauci.

Posted in #nevertrump, 2026 election, Republican hypocrisy, Republican mythology, Republican Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Farm Advocacy Group Endorses Turek, Bohannon, And Garriott

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Iowa farm photo by Trish Nelson


From our inbox:

About Farm Action Fund
Farm Action Fund is a national advocacy organization dedicated to building a fair, competitive, resilient, and healthy agricultural and food system that works for farmers, workers, and communities—not just corporations.

Farm Action Fund Endorses Josh Turek, Christina Bohannan, and Sarah Trone Garriott as Rural Champions to Send to D.C.

Endorsement Recognizes Their Leadership in Fighting for Family Farmers

Mexico, Missouri –Today, Farm Action Fund’s Rural Independence Initiative announced a slate of endorsements in Iowa to send to Congress. Iowa’s economy has been hit hard by the farm crisis and needs a change from the status quo. The Rural Independence Initiative focuses on electing the best federal candidates, regardless of political affiliation, who support local farmers, rural America, and healthy food and challenge corporate monopolies.

Farm Action Fund is endorsing the following:

  • State Rep. Josh Turek for U.S. Senate against Ashley Hinson
  • State Rep. Christina Bohannan against Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
  • State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott against Rep. Zach Nunn

Farm Action President and fourth generation farmer Joe Maxwell said,

“No other state has been so hurt by this current farm crisis than Iowa. Rural Iowa has continually seen farm bankruptcies, manufacturing jobs leave, vital health care clinics close and school consolidated. It’s clear something has to change. Josh Turek, Christina Bohannan and Sarah Trone Garriott all offer the change that is needed.”

All three of their opponents were an original sponsor and co-sponsors of the controversial Save Our Bacon Act which preempts the ability of states to pass food safety and agriculture production laws. A poll released by Farm Action Fund has shown Iowa voters rejecting it by a nearly 2-1 margin. In the 1st Congressional district, it was opposed by a margin of 46% – 22% and by an even larger margin of 48% – 18% in the 3rd Congressional district.

“It’s clear Iowa voters reject a China-owned pork corporation pushing to override state authority over animal welfare and food safety,” said Maxwell. “By promoting the Save Our Bacon Act, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn have jeopardized the livelihoods of independent family farmers selling into markets not controlled by Big Pork.”

Josh Turek for U.S. Senate

Maxwell said, “We are excited to give Josh Turek our endorsement for U.S. Senate because he understands that rural Iowa is confronting a “Farmeggedon” crisis. His prairie populism that challenges corporate monopolies squeezing family farmers is exactly what is needed against the current broken status quo. His excellent rural plan confronts corporate monopolies head-on by advocating for right-to-repair, mandatory country of origin labeling and breaking up monopolies so farmers can compete.”

The Iowa poll also found that support for the Save Our Bacon Act could create political challenges for Rep. Ashley Hinson. After voters were informed that Congresswoman Ashley Hinson supports the legislation, has received contributions from China-owned Smithfield, and that the bill could disadvantage Iowa farmers who have already invested in meeting state standards, 64% said the information made them view Hinson less favorably.

Christina Bohannan for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District

Maxwell said, “Christina Bohannan is the right person to represent Iowa’s 1st District. As the granddaughter of family farmers who suffered through the 80s farm crisis, she understands the struggles Iowa farmers are confronting because of corporate consolidation and monopoly power in the seed, fertilizer, meatpacking and other ag industries. Her engineering background also makes her an ideal candidate to finally confront Iowa’s water quality crisis that is harming the health of rural Iowans.”

Sarah Trone Garriott for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District

“We are pleased to endorse State Senator Garriott for Congress,” said Maxwell. “She started as a rural minister and understands the struggles of rural Iowa when it comes to the farm economy, health care and water quality. She is committed to putting working Iowans first, not corporate interests. Her life has been committed to the service of others and that is exactly what America needs today, politicians who want to serve the people, not corporate interests.”

Farm Action Fund will organize, advocate, and invest in state-by-state efforts to:

  • Fight for people over corporate power
  • Break up corporate monopolies in agriculture and food systems
  • Restore fair competition and transparent markets
  • Support independent farmers, ranchers, and small businesses
  • Rebuild resilient local economies
  • Grow healthy food right here in America

In this short film, Farm Action Fund co-founders Angela Huffman and Joe Maxwell, both farmers, discuss working against monopoly control over agriculture. Huffman and Maxwell draw a straight line from the priorities of their own families and farming communities to Farm Action Fund’s work.

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Swim Safely: Test Before You Swim

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Trish Nelson


Thank you to the Iowa Sierra Club for their hard work protecting people and the environment in Iowa. Follow on Facebook

From the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter – July 17, 2026 – Iowa DNR only tests 38 statewide and 38 city/county beaches. The rest remain ‘swim at your own risk’ unless you test them yourself. Find out how!

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