Latest news with #Iowans'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa governor election 2026: Democratic operative Julie Stauch launches campaign
After working backstage to organize several state and federal political campaigns, Democrat Julie Stauch is launching her own bid: for Iowa governor. Stauch's announcement sets up a likely primary against State Auditor Rob Sand, the first major Democrat to announce a run. Her 2026 election bid also comes after a handful of Iowa Republicans have entered or expressed interest in the race, following Gov. Kim Reynolds' surprise announcement that she isn't seeking reelection. Stauch, 68, said she's promising to be a problem-solver for all Iowans. "Trust is the whole problem right now. Nobody trusts anybody, and what we have to do is rebuild trust," Stauch said in a Monday, June 2, interview with the Des Moines Register. "Any candidate who wants to win, if you're not working on building trust with Iowans, you're not going to win because it's so bad right now, both federally and at the state level, that getting people to engage and get out and help your campaign and win won't happen unless they have a sense that they can trust you." Stauch is a fifth-generation Iowan and is the president and CEO of the Des Moines consulting company, Julie Stauch and Associates, and previously was a K-12 teacher, small business owner and chief public affairs officer for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. "I think the most important thing to know is I started working in the eighth grade in my dad's greenhouses where we had to do 20 hours of work while doing school and other things," Stauch said. "I basically have worked ever since, and I think that matters." She lived in New York, Ohio and North Carolina before returning to attend Iowa State University to study elementary education and child development. Stauch's involvement in local, state and national politics spans several elections, working in more than a dozen campaigns. She was campaign manager for former U.S. Senate candidate Michael Franken in 2022, was the state political director for Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign in 2020 and served on the national advance staff and as Iowa press secretary for the Bill Clinton-Al Gore presidential ticket in 1996. Her gubernatorial bid is her first attempt at public office. She said she is focusing her campaign on supporting public schools, clean water and Iowans' health care access. "The reason I'm running right now is because we have a lot of problems here in Iowa that need to be solved, and I can't just stand by and watch the same processes occur without actually using good problem-solving skills, and that's why I'm doing this." Eminent domain is another issue she'd prioritize as governor, Stauch said. The discussion around eminent domain was a highly contested policy issue during the 2025 legislative session, centering around the Iowa Utilities Commission's granting of powers to Summit Carbon Solutions for its proposed carbon capture pipeline in the state. "It's an abuse of the eminent domain laws to take private property for a private company," Stauch said. "That's what's wrong with this pipeline stuff. Utilities, it's OK, roads, it's OK. There are situations where we need those laws, but they're being abused right now." More: What is eminent domain? What to know about Iowa's bill limiting it for carbon pipelines An Iowa bill that would restrict eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines awaits approval from Reynolds, who is weighing whether she will sign it into law. But Stauch said her gubernatorial campaign's main priority will be a product of what comes forward during discussions with Iowans over the next year before the 2026 elections. "I also think it's going to be, what does the election teach us as leaders, because elections are lessons. Not everybody learns from them, but they are lessons in what needs to happen, and so we'll just see how that turns out," Stauch said. Stauch said Reynolds' decision not to seek reelection didn't sway her plan to run for governor. She said a wide-open governor's race will open up dialogue between Iowans and boost voter engagement. "There's just so many good things out of this happening," she said. "I expect we'll see primaries at almost every level in this, and that will be very good for both parties." She took aim at Sand, saying, "I am running to beat him, and he's got to run to beat me instead of waiting to start his campaign." Stauch said she plans to hit the road over the next year to meet Iowans across the state and answer their questions about her application "for the job of Iowa governor." "I learn things from talking with them," Stauch said, noting she has held a meeting with voters in Wayne County. "I've learned quite a bit already, and I haven't even truly hit the road yet." Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa governor election: Democrat Julie Stauch launches 2026 campaign
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sen. Joni Ernst responds to backlash from her sarcastic comments on Medicaid
DES MOINES, IOWA — United States Senator Joni Ernst is responding to backlash from comments made about Medicaid cuts at a townhall in Parkersburg; and to concern about a video she made over the weekend. Sen. Ernst made the comment of 'we are all going to die', when discussing with constituents last week cuts to Medicaid that are in the current budget bill. Ernst then took to social media on Saturday, saying that she wanted to 'sincerely apologize'. Ernst added in the video posted to social media that she thought everyone understood that everyone will perish from the earth. At the end of the video Ernst states that she was really glad that she didn't have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy, pushing people to turn their faith to God. On Monday a spokesperson with Sen. Ernst gave WHO 13 News the following statement: 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.' Spokesperson for Sen. Joni Ernst (R) The Iowa GOP Chair responded to the criticism of both the comments and the video: 'Anyone who knows Joni — especially the folks who heard her answer tough questions for over an hour — knows Dems and the Main Stream Media are purposefully replacing her core message because it helps their fear-mongering. But the fact is, without Senator Ernst taking a strong stand to protect the integrity of programs like Medicaid, Iowans would be worse off.' Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann The bill sits in the U.S. Senate chamber, after the U.S. House passed through the budget. That bill includes the cuts to Medicaid that are these comments are circling around. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
GOP Senator Ignores Insane Town Hall Gaffe — And Social Media Goes Off
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) made an unforced political error during a town hall Friday morning when she reminded constituents worried about Medicaid cuts that 'we are all going to die.' But when she tried to put a positive spin on the event after it concluded, social media wouldn't let her ignore her controversial comments. During the meeting in Parkersburg, Iowa, Ernst faced questions from voters concerned about proposed cuts to Medicaid and food stamp benefits. 'We are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,' Ernst tried to assure the crowd, ABC Iowa City affiliate KCRG TV reported. 'We will protect them. OK? Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa. ... Leave those dollars for those that are eligible for Medicaid.' Ernst then claimed the efforts to roll back Medicaid benefits would only affect people who aren't eligible for them, which led one woman in the crowd to yell, 'People will die.' The senator had a callous response. 'People are not ― well, we all are going to die. So, for heaven's sakes, folks,' she said while the audience jeered. Yes, there's video. Thank you for asking. Indeed, all living forms on this planet will eventually cease to exist, but bringing up this truth sarcastically during a town hall meeting of concerned voters was probably not the wisest move. Still, Ernst posted a 'rah rah' message about the town hall afterward, thanking constituents for listening to her 'sharing my work to cut government red tape for you.' Many people on X didn't appreciate Ernst's attempt to sweep her deadly serious comment under the rug ― and, much like the crowd in Iowa, they went off. HuffPost reached out to Ernst's office for comment on the reaction to her quote. And a spokesperson responded... with a statement that actually doubled down on the inevitability of death. 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.' GOP Senator Pooh-Poohs Fears On Medicaid Cuts: 'Well, We All Are Going To Die' Wage Theft Is A Huge Problem. Trump Is Going To Make It Worse. GOP Senator Blocks Bill That Would Codify Right To Birth Control 'Daily Show' Montage Mocks GOP Sen. Joni Ernst As 'Queen Of Prop Comedy'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ernst responds to jeers on Medicaid cuts: ‘Well, we're all going to die'
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R) pushed back against constituents who shouted out at her recent town hall meeting that cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would cause people to die, responding, 'Well, we're all going to die.' The awkward moment came at a town hall meeting on Friday in Butler, Iowa, while Ernst defended the spending reforms in a House-passed budget reconciliation package that are intended to stop people who crossed into the country illegally from receiving federal benefits. Someone in the crowd tried to talk over Ernst, interrupting her answer about changes to Medicaid and SNAP, yelling out that people are 'going to die' because of the reforms. Ernst answered: 'Well, we're all going to die.' That quip produced a raucous jeer from the crowd. 'For heaven's sakes. For heaven's sakes, folks,' Ernst said, expressing frustration about some people in the crowd not listening to her explanations of the goals of the reforms. 'What you don't want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,' she said. 'Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect. We will protect them.' Ernst emphasized: 'Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa.' 'If you don't want to listen, that's fine. But what I'm doing is going through and telling you that those that are not eligible, those that are working and have opportunity for benefits elsewhere, then they should receive those benefits elsewhere and leave those dollars for those that are eligible for Medicaid,' she said. And Ernst also said 'SNAP overpayments that the states have been making will need to stop.' She said the reforms in the reconciliation bill are intended to root out overpayments and the payment of benefits to people who are not eligible for federal assistance under the law. 'When you are arguing about illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits, 1.4 million, they're not eligible, so they will be coming off,' Ernst said at one point, finishing the sentence over shouts of protest from the crowd. A spokesperson for Ernst said the senator is focused on 'improving the lives of all Iowans' and accused Democrats of trying to whip up fear among voters for political reasons. 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans,' the spokesperson said. 'There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse,' the aide added. Updated at 12:36 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Reynolds' waiver to restrict SNAP eligible foods approved by USDA
USDA approved a demonstration waiver in Iowa to exclude certain foods from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA) The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Gov. Kim Reynolds' waiver to exclude foods like candy and soft drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Iowa. Anti-hunger advocates were against the waiver and argue it would not help low-income Iowans gain better access to nutritious foods. Reynolds, who appeared on 'Iowa Press' Friday, said the demonstration waiver is a 'really good first step' to return SNAP to its original intent of providing nutritious food to low-income families. 'We are an unhealthy population,' Reynolds said. 'We think this really lines up with the intent of what SNAP was designed for in the beginning, and they can use those dollars to purchase healthy foods and help supplement their family income.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The waiver, which Reynolds submitted in March, excludes any food item eligible for sales tax, as determined by the Iowa Department of Revenue. This includes soft drinks, candy, and sweetened snacks, including granola bars and fruit leathers. The waiver would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and last for two years. The federal Food and Nutrition Service will work with the state to implement the new definition of eligible food items and then evaluate the demonstration project and its impact on SNAP participants. Nicole McAlexander, vice chair of Iowa Hunger Coalition and executive director of Southeast Linn Community Center, said the waiver will increase stigma and 'perpetuate misconceptions' around SNAP participants. 'Instead of investing in evidence-based solutions to improve healthy eating, the state of Iowa is choosing to experiment on low-income Iowans' grocery carts,' McAlexander said. Members of the coalition advocated for increased funding to the Double Up Food Bucks program, which allows SNAP recipients to double their spending on produce, but proposed bills did not advance in Iowa's legislative session. Luke Elzinga, board chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, said the waiver will 'do nothing' to lower the cost of nutritious food for Iowans. Elzinga also questioned how the action fit with Reynolds' approved waiver for Iowa's summer feeding program, Healthy Kids Iowa. 'If Gov. Reynolds' opposition to participating in Summer EBT was the lack of nutritional focus,' Elzinga said. 'Why didn't she elect to submit a similar restriction waiver for Summer EBT and participate in the program?' Iowa Hunger Coalition said Reynolds' summer program will assist just 65,000 kids, as opposed to the federal program which would have supported nearly 245,000 Iowa school-aged students in low-income families. Reynolds, when asked about the figure on 'Iowa Press,' said her program allots $40 per eligible student, but families will be able to get more food with their dollars since the program distributes through food banks, versus individual electronic benefit transfer cards. 'And, again, it restricts it to nutritious food,' Reynolds said. 'We're driving healthy outcomes, healthy behaviors in the state so that we can help families provide the kids nutritious food during the summer.' U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signed similar SNAP-related waivers in Nebraska and Indiana this week. She congratulated the states for stepping up and taking action following her requests to 'innovate' at the state level. 'President Trump has given our nation a once in a generation opportunity to change the health trajectory for our entire country,' Rollins said. 'I look forward to signing even more waivers in the days ahead as we continue to restore the health of America.' The waivers follow guidance from the Trump administration to reduce disease trends, including prediabetes trends in children, which were highlighted in the recent Make America Healthy Again report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
