Tag Archives: Iowa politics

Spring Politics In Iowa

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Paul Deaton

The period leading up to the June 2 primary is usually one of the quieter stretches on Iowa’s political calendar, and 2026 is following that pattern. Most candidates have entered their races, the filing deadline having passed in March, and … Continue reading →

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Beyond Joe Trippi’s Technology

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Paul Deaton

Editor’s Note: Due to a glitch in the platform, this post was up last week, but not seen. I am running it again because the message remains important. Joe Trippi’s 2004 work to mine the internet and empower supporters of … Continue reading →

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Progressive AI

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Paul Deaton

Joe Trippi’s 2004 work to mine the internet and empower supporters of the Howard Dean campaign was revolutionary. As he described it, it was an “open-source revolution” that went beyond the dissemination of campaign messages. Using Meetup.com, blogs, and other … Continue reading →

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Post Convention Organizing

Posted on March 28, 2026 by Paul Deaton

With the county convention in the rear view mirror, it’s time to organize for the Democratic primary. Our votes are important, yet three races are at the top of the list here: the U.S. Senate race between Zach Wahls and … Continue reading →

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Nanny State — County Supervisor Edition

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Paul Deaton

When Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 75 into law on April 1, 2025, a crowd of Republican well-wishers was present. Senate File 75 mandates that Iowa counties containing a Board of Regents university — specifically Johnson, Story, and Black … Continue reading →

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Conventions And Candidates

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Paul Deaton

My week in Iowa politics was about planning the county convention and finding a Democratic candidate to run for House District 91 and Senate District 46. One success and two failures. At our precinct caucuses I volunteered to be on … Continue reading →

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Local Roads, Local Decisions

Posted on March 8, 2026 by Paul Deaton

The township where I live was established before Iowa Statehood. There were oak, walnut, hickory, ash, elm, and cottonwood thriving here among numerous pure springs. The first sawmill and grist mill was built in 1839 by Anthony Sells on Mill … Continue reading →

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Iowa Weekend Politics

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Paul Deaton

When I began writing for Blog for Iowa in 2009, I covered individual political events like the state hall of fame ceremonies and the special election of Curt Hanson. In reading those old posts, I remembered I also wrote advocacy … Continue reading →

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Flashback 2008

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Paul Deaton

What characterized the 2008 presidential election for Democrats was the systematic use of nearly every procedural, legal, organizational, and technological lever within the electoral process to bring people to the polls that were previously infrequent voters. The Obama campaign innovated … Continue reading →

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No, We’re Not In An ‘Ideological War’

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Paul Deaton

There is little to say about the death by gun violence of Charlie Kirk. Too many U.S. citizens die of gun violence and the Congress can, and should do something to prevent more death and destruction. On the other hand, … Continue reading →

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