Senate District 14
Registration: D 10737, R 13327, N 12873, total 36963, R +2590
Open Seat; Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, retiring.
Sure,
the leadership challenge ahead of the anticipated loss in the Marion
special senate election last year probably played the biggest role in
Paul McKinley's retirement. But it's worth noting that on Map Day, he
went from a 3844 Republican registration edge to a much more swingy 622.
Caucus and primary activity has boosted Republican rolls, but we're
still talking about a much less Republican seat than the old one.
The
new seat includes four whole counties - Clarke, Lucas, Decatur and
Wayne - plus most of Mahaska, with the exception of Pella. It also has a
chunk of southern Jasper County.
Both parties saw enough
opportunity to draw contested primaries, and both primaries were
landslides. In the Republican side, Wayne County supervisor Amy Sinclair was way ahead of Steven Everly
of Knoxville, 66-28%. A third candidate, Stephanie Jones of Knoxville,
drew attention mainly for an arrest shortly after filing, and won less
than 7%.
Democrat Dick Schrad, the former Knoxville City Manager, was a two to one primary winner over 2008 House loser James Demichelis.
July 19 Campaign Finance Report: Dick Schrad for Senate, Sinclair for Iowa
Both candidates are deficit spending. Schrad had $2,201.41 on hand with
a little more than that, $2,458.73, in loans outstanding. Sinclair has
more on hand, $4,294.73, but has $8100 in loans out.
House District 27
Registration: D 5329, R 6313, N 6345, total 18004, R +984
Incumbent: Joel Fry, R-Osceola, no Democratic candidate
Fry
knocked off Democrat Mike Reasoner with a solid 57% win in one of
2010's bigger upsets. Reasoner was from Creston, in Union County, which
is now out of the district. The district keeps Decatur and Fry's home
County, Clarke. It adds Wayne County and most of Lucas County including
Chariton.
Fry drew a nuisance primary challenge from James Demichelis, Junior., not to be confused with the Democrat in the Senate race. Father and son Some Dudes of different parties. Fry easily won 86-14%.
This is the most Democratic seat that the Democrats left officially uncontested, number 60 on the depth chart. But there's kinda sorta a Democrat in the race: Ruth Smith of Lamoni filed as an independent on the last day of filing. Smith
ran for the Senate twice as a Democrat, losing to Kim Reynolds in 2008
and to Joni Ernst in the 2011 special when Reynolds became lieutenant
governor.
July 19 Campaign Finance Report: Fry for Iowa House
House District 28
Registration: D 5408, R 7014, N 6528, total 18959, R +1606
Open Seat; Rich Arnold, R-Russell, retiring.
It's a culture clash race, as home birth meets home school.
Republican
Greg Heartsill, a "homeschool(er) with nine children," outraised
Christian bookstore owner Len Gosseling by several orders of magnitude,
and outpolled him 76-24% in the primary. He faces Democrat Megan Suhr in the fall. She's a doula, which is a birth coach and assisant.
Rich
Arnold has held the seat since 1994, winning comfortably in recent
years. The line changes cost the seat about 1000 Republicans and turn a
good GOP district into a swing seat. Lucas County gets split for the
first time since Iowa started Clean Redistricting (TM) in 1981, and with
Chariton going west to Fry's district, this seat has the smaller,
eastern part. The chunk of Marion County expands, to take in Knoxville
and almost the whole county (but not Pella), and adds part of southern
Jasper.
July 19 Campaign Finance Report: Heartsill for Iowa, Megan Suhr for Iowa It looks like Heartsill is starting to spend. He took in $5,764.50 post-primary
but spent $7,075.65, for an on hand balance of $1,533.36. Suhr has
$3,284.98. Or "had"; as I write the July 19 reports are a month old and
no one but the insiders will know more until October.
Senate District 14, House District 27 & 28: District of the Day 1 - 5/12/2011 | District of the Day 2 - 3/16/2012
The worst.
Showing posts with label Iowa Senate District 14. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iowa Senate District 14. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Backlash in Carroll
Newly announced candidate not exactly welcomed to the race: "Carroll Mayor Adam Schweers announced his campaign for the district 6 senate seat last Friday and since has heard a backlash from many Carroll residents and current city council members who have asked for him to resign."
Schweers was just elected in November and took office with the new year -- just before ten year Senator Steve Kettering announced he was not seeking re-election. Two other R's in the race: Crawford County supervisor Mark Segebart, and Sac County sheriff’s deputy Matthew Biede. Primary winner faces Democrat Mary Bruner.
Still, could be worse:
Two other Republicans in the Senate 14 race, too: Amy Sinclair of Allerton and Steve Everly of Knoxville. Note to candidates: Tomorrow is the withdrawal deadline.
And a sad note from the trail: Ft. Madison mayor Steve Ireland passed away today. Ireland had announced for the Democratic nomination in open Senate 42, but withdrew from the race before filing. Condolences to his family and friends and to the people of Ft. Madison.
Schweers was just elected in November and took office with the new year -- just before ten year Senator Steve Kettering announced he was not seeking re-election. Two other R's in the race: Crawford County supervisor Mark Segebart, and Sac County sheriff’s deputy Matthew Biede. Primary winner faces Democrat Mary Bruner.
Still, could be worse:
Republican State Senate Candidate Stephanie Jones was arrested (shortly after 2:00 AM Sunday morning) after allegedly being involved in a fight. She has been charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
Jones entered a plea of not guilty, and tells KNIA/KRLS News that she doesn’t understand why she was arrested. She adds that she will work to prove her innocence, and that she will continue her campaign for Senate.I don't usually write about stuff like this. I'm mostly brining it up because this is literally the first story I can find that mentions Jones' candidacy. No announcement press release, no local roundup, nuthin'. You google her and you get this, the candidate list at TheIowaRepublican, and then you're into stories about the late congresswoman from Ohio before you even get to my 30,000 word magnum opus from 1:30 Friday night/Saturday morning.
Two other Republicans in the Senate 14 race, too: Amy Sinclair of Allerton and Steve Everly of Knoxville. Note to candidates: Tomorrow is the withdrawal deadline.
And a sad note from the trail: Ft. Madison mayor Steve Ireland passed away today. Ireland had announced for the Democratic nomination in open Senate 42, but withdrew from the race before filing. Condolences to his family and friends and to the people of Ft. Madison.
Friday, March 16, 2012
District Of The Day Reboot: Iowa Senate District 14, Iowa House District 27 & 28
Senate District 14
Registration: D 12402, R 13845, N 15503, total 41776, R +1443
Open Seat; Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, retiring. Contested primaries in both parties.
Sure, the leadership challenge ahead of the anticipated loss in the Marion special senate election probably played the biggest role in Paul McKinley's retirement. But it's worth noting that on Map Day, he went from a 3844 Republican registration edge to a much more swingy 622. Caucus activity has boosted Republican rolls, but it's still potentially competitive.
The new seat includes four whole counties - Clarke, Lucas, Decatur and Wayne - plus most of Mahaska, with the exception of Pella. It also has a chunk of southern Jasper County around Monroe and adds a little more to that piece: Sully, Reasnor, Lynnville, and all the way up to the Newton city limits. Bleeding Heartland has a good look at the district.
Wayne County supervisor Amy Sinclair was first to announce on the Republican side. Wayne is the smallest county in the district, so it looks like Steven Everly of Knoxville sees an opportunity too. Everly works for a lighting company and his biggest internet footprint is a lawsuit the company filed against the Knoxville school district. Stephanie Jones of Knoxville was the third Republican to file. Some Dude Larry Steele had also announced, but moved to Des Moines and filed in House 36 instead.
Democrat Dick Schrad, the former Knoxville City Manager, has a primary with James Demichelis, who won 33% in a 2008 House race.
Only Sinclair filed a January 19 campaign finance report and she had just $630 on hand.
House District 27
Registration: D 5963, R 6687, N 7602, total 20269, R +724
Incumbent: Joel Fry, R-Osceola; primary challenge
One of 2010's upsets, Fry knocked off Democrat Mike Reasoner with a solid 57% win. Reasoner was from Creston and the old lines included most of Union County. The new district removes all of Union and keeps Decatur and Fry's home County, Clarke. It adds Wayne County and most of Lucas County including Chariton.
In addition to getting geographically bigger, Fry's seat gets a little closer partisan split. He lost about 400 Republicans with redistricting. Reasoner managed to hang on for four terms despite the GOP edge.
Primary challenger James Demichelis, Jr. of Chariton is not to be confused with the Democrat in the Senate race. Father and son Some Dudes?
Campaign finance reports: Fry for Iowa House
House District 28
Registration: D 6439, R 7158, N 7901, total 21507, R +719
Open Seat; Rich Arnold, R-Russell, retiring. Contested Republican primary
The new map changes the lines substantially. Lucas County gets split for the first time since Iowa started Clean Redistricting (TM) in 1981, and with Chariton going west to Fry's district, this seat has the smaller, eastern part. The chunk of Marion County expands, to take in Knoxville and almost the whole county (but not Pella), and adds part of southern Jasper.
Arnold was first elected in 1994 and won with 67% in both 2008 and 2010. But the changes cost the seat about 1000 Republicans and turn a good GOP district into a swing seat.
Democrat Megan Suhr was first to announce. Republican Greg Heartsill, a "homeschool(er) with nine children," looks to be the Republican frontrunner. Heartsill outraised Christian bookstore owner Len Gosseling by several orders of magnitude.
Campaign finance reports: Len Gosselink for State Representative, Heartsill for Iowa
Original post 5/12/2011 Statewide Map: Front | Back (with City Insets) | Old Senate, House
Registration: D 12402, R 13845, N 15503, total 41776, R +1443
Open Seat; Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, retiring. Contested primaries in both parties.
Sure, the leadership challenge ahead of the anticipated loss in the Marion special senate election probably played the biggest role in Paul McKinley's retirement. But it's worth noting that on Map Day, he went from a 3844 Republican registration edge to a much more swingy 622. Caucus activity has boosted Republican rolls, but it's still potentially competitive.
The new seat includes four whole counties - Clarke, Lucas, Decatur and Wayne - plus most of Mahaska, with the exception of Pella. It also has a chunk of southern Jasper County around Monroe and adds a little more to that piece: Sully, Reasnor, Lynnville, and all the way up to the Newton city limits. Bleeding Heartland has a good look at the district.
Wayne County supervisor Amy Sinclair was first to announce on the Republican side. Wayne is the smallest county in the district, so it looks like Steven Everly of Knoxville sees an opportunity too. Everly works for a lighting company and his biggest internet footprint is a lawsuit the company filed against the Knoxville school district. Stephanie Jones of Knoxville was the third Republican to file. Some Dude Larry Steele had also announced, but moved to Des Moines and filed in House 36 instead.
Democrat Dick Schrad, the former Knoxville City Manager, has a primary with James Demichelis, who won 33% in a 2008 House race.
Only Sinclair filed a January 19 campaign finance report and she had just $630 on hand.
House District 27
Registration: D 5963, R 6687, N 7602, total 20269, R +724
Incumbent: Joel Fry, R-Osceola; primary challenge
One of 2010's upsets, Fry knocked off Democrat Mike Reasoner with a solid 57% win. Reasoner was from Creston and the old lines included most of Union County. The new district removes all of Union and keeps Decatur and Fry's home County, Clarke. It adds Wayne County and most of Lucas County including Chariton.
In addition to getting geographically bigger, Fry's seat gets a little closer partisan split. He lost about 400 Republicans with redistricting. Reasoner managed to hang on for four terms despite the GOP edge.
Primary challenger James Demichelis, Jr. of Chariton is not to be confused with the Democrat in the Senate race. Father and son Some Dudes?
Campaign finance reports: Fry for Iowa House
House District 28
Registration: D 6439, R 7158, N 7901, total 21507, R +719
Open Seat; Rich Arnold, R-Russell, retiring. Contested Republican primary
The new map changes the lines substantially. Lucas County gets split for the first time since Iowa started Clean Redistricting (TM) in 1981, and with Chariton going west to Fry's district, this seat has the smaller, eastern part. The chunk of Marion County expands, to take in Knoxville and almost the whole county (but not Pella), and adds part of southern Jasper.
Arnold was first elected in 1994 and won with 67% in both 2008 and 2010. But the changes cost the seat about 1000 Republicans and turn a good GOP district into a swing seat.
Democrat Megan Suhr was first to announce. Republican Greg Heartsill, a "homeschool(er) with nine children," looks to be the Republican frontrunner. Heartsill outraised Christian bookstore owner Len Gosseling by several orders of magnitude.
Campaign finance reports: Len Gosselink for State Representative, Heartsill for Iowa
Original post 5/12/2011 Statewide Map: Front | Back (with City Insets) | Old Senate, House
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Filing Day 12
Just three days to go after today, and the candidate list is starting to fill up. Still a few gaps: we havent's seen Bruce Braley or Steve King yet.
Close to home, West Liberty Democrat Sara Sedlacek makes it official in House District 88 against Republican Tom Sands of Wapello. Democrats made a serious effort in this swing seat in 2008 but left Sands unopposed in 2010. (Democrats also made a less serious effort here in 1996.)
In the News To Me department: Another couple of Republican primary challenges. In House District 24 restaurant owner Jane Jensen of Clarinda files against incumbent Cecil Dolecheck of Mt. Ayr.
Brett H. Nelson of Saylor Township filed in House District 38, the south Ankeny seat held by Kevin Koester. Nelson ran for this seat in 2002, finishing fourth in a four way primary. Don't forget: Koester tried to step up to the Senate in the 2011 special election (won by Jack Whitver), but was one of the first candidates eliminated at the party convention. Democrat John Phoenix awaits the winner here in a swing seat.
Stephanie Jones of Knoxville is the third Republican to file in open Senate District 14, the Paul McKinley seat.
Some Dude Alert: Republican Joe Corbin, a Ron Paul backer, filed in heavily Democratic House District 32, held by first-term Dem Ruth Ann Gaines.
In expected filings:
The two two incumbent senator races are official. Senators Jim Hahn, R-Muscatine and Shawn "Go Home" Hamerlinck, R-Dixon are facing off in Senate District 46. The winner faces Muscatine Democrat Chris Brase in November. All three filed today.
The only two incumbent Senate general election will be in Senate District 26 between Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm and Republican Merlin Bartz. Both filed today.
(Last minute surprise watch: In the one two House incumbent primary, House 50, neither Annette Sweeney or Pat Grassley has filed yet...)
Warren County Democrat Scott Ourth, an unexpected top-tier loser in 2010, is making another try in House District 26. Ourth lost to Republican Glen Massie, who hasn't filed yet. Two other Republicans, Steve McCoy and Ruth Randleman, filed yesterday.
Democrat Eric Brenneman of West Des Moines filed in Dallas-based, no-incumbent House District 44.
Waterloo Democrat Bob Greenwood is running in House District 60 against first term Cedar Falls Republican Walt Rogers.
Hillsboro Republican Lee Harder, who finished a distant third in the 2008 2nd Congressional District primary, made it official in Senate District 42. He's an underdog in a primary against Lee County Supervisor Larry Kruse in this open seat. Democrats have a three way primary to succeed the retiring Gene Fraise.
Republican David Maxwell of Gibson files in no-incumbent House District 76. He has a primary with Larry Wilson of Grinnell. The Democrats are running Rachel Bly, also of Grinnell.
Charges flying in one GOP primary:
Routine incumbents filing today::
Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, in Senate District 20
Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, in Senate District 50
Mark Brandenburg, R-Council Bluffs, in House District 15.
Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, in House District 18.
Bob Kressig, D-Cedar Falls, in House District 59.
Kirsten Running-Marquardt, D-Cedar Rapids, in House District 69.
Mark Lofgren, R-Muscatine, in House District 91
And Dan Dolan filed in the 2nd Congressional District - as a Republican, which should reassure the Monroe County Democrats. For those who didn't hear, Dolan started speaking at the wrong party's covention in Albia Saturday.
Close to home, West Liberty Democrat Sara Sedlacek makes it official in House District 88 against Republican Tom Sands of Wapello. Democrats made a serious effort in this swing seat in 2008 but left Sands unopposed in 2010. (Democrats also made a less serious effort here in 1996.)
In the News To Me department: Another couple of Republican primary challenges. In House District 24 restaurant owner Jane Jensen of Clarinda files against incumbent Cecil Dolecheck of Mt. Ayr.
Brett H. Nelson of Saylor Township filed in House District 38, the south Ankeny seat held by Kevin Koester. Nelson ran for this seat in 2002, finishing fourth in a four way primary. Don't forget: Koester tried to step up to the Senate in the 2011 special election (won by Jack Whitver), but was one of the first candidates eliminated at the party convention. Democrat John Phoenix awaits the winner here in a swing seat.
Stephanie Jones of Knoxville is the third Republican to file in open Senate District 14, the Paul McKinley seat.
Some Dude Alert: Republican Joe Corbin, a Ron Paul backer, filed in heavily Democratic House District 32, held by first-term Dem Ruth Ann Gaines.
In expected filings:
The two two incumbent senator races are official. Senators Jim Hahn, R-Muscatine and Shawn "Go Home" Hamerlinck, R-Dixon are facing off in Senate District 46. The winner faces Muscatine Democrat Chris Brase in November. All three filed today.
The only two incumbent Senate general election will be in Senate District 26 between Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm and Republican Merlin Bartz. Both filed today.
(Last minute surprise watch: In the one two House incumbent primary, House 50, neither Annette Sweeney or Pat Grassley has filed yet...)
Warren County Democrat Scott Ourth, an unexpected top-tier loser in 2010, is making another try in House District 26. Ourth lost to Republican Glen Massie, who hasn't filed yet. Two other Republicans, Steve McCoy and Ruth Randleman, filed yesterday.
Democrat Eric Brenneman of West Des Moines filed in Dallas-based, no-incumbent House District 44.
Waterloo Democrat Bob Greenwood is running in House District 60 against first term Cedar Falls Republican Walt Rogers.
Hillsboro Republican Lee Harder, who finished a distant third in the 2008 2nd Congressional District primary, made it official in Senate District 42. He's an underdog in a primary against Lee County Supervisor Larry Kruse in this open seat. Democrats have a three way primary to succeed the retiring Gene Fraise.
Republican David Maxwell of Gibson files in no-incumbent House District 76. He has a primary with Larry Wilson of Grinnell. The Democrats are running Rachel Bly, also of Grinnell.
Charges flying in one GOP primary:
A candidate challenging incumbent state Rep. Erik Helland for his western Polk County seat in the Iowa House has accused the lawmaker of offering him a job to stay out of the race.Democrat Kelsey Clark awaits the winner. As of today, Helland had not yet filed.
Jake Highfill, a University of Iowa student who lives in Johnston, alleges Helland implored him to drop his bid for the new 39th District seat and offered in exchange to hire Highfill as a legislative clerk and to find him a job on a Republican campaign throughout the 2012 election season.
Routine incumbents filing today::
And Dan Dolan filed in the 2nd Congressional District - as a Republican, which should reassure the Monroe County Democrats. For those who didn't hear, Dolan started speaking at the wrong party's covention in Albia Saturday.
Monday, February 27, 2012
First Day of Filing
Locals Johnson, Sherman among first group
Two local legislative candidates turned their paperwork in to the Secretary of State on today's first day of filing.
West Branch Democrat David Johnson has filed in House District 73, now held by Republican Jeff Kaufmann. The seat covers all of Cedar County, Scott Township and Greater Metro Solon in Johnson, and the GOP stronghold of Wilton in Muscatine County. Overall the seat leans slightly Democratic.
In no-incumbent House 77 in western and southern Johnson County, North Liberty Republican Steve Sherman is officially in. He's likely to face Democratic county supervisor Sally Stutsman in this strong Democratic seat.
Matt Schultz is continuing the tradition that dates back to the dawn of the net in the Paul Pate administration: daily candidate lists (pdf, bookmark-n-save). I'm more OCD (Obsessively Compulsive about Districts) more than anyone, but dang it if there STILL weren't a couple new (to me) legislative candidates whose names I hadn't seen before who filed on Day One.
Republican Steven Everly of Knoxville is running in open Senate District 14, the Paul McKinley seat. He works for a lighting company and his biggest internet footprint is a lawsuit the company filed against the Knoxville school district. He'll have a primary against Wayne County Supervisor Amy Sinclair. Democrat Dick Schrad, the former Knoxville City Manager, will face the winner.
Rick McClure of Ottumwa is again trying to challenge Democrat Mary Gaskill in House 81. He ran as an independent in 2008; now he's filed on the GOP line. He'll have to get through a primary with Blake Smith, who also filed.
Another now-official primary is in House District 7, where Republicans Mark Frakes and Tedd Gassman will face off for the right to challenge freshman Democrat John Wittneben, a narrow winner last time.
The early birds included a trio of youthful Republicans who'd already announced:
Megan Hess of Spencer, a former Steve King intern, in open House District 2
Maison Bleam of Rockwall City, the former UI student government president, filed in House 10, where he's primary-ing GOP freshman Tom Shaw.
And Dane Nealson in Ames-based House 45 (Beth Wessel-Kroeschell's seat).
Other expected early birds included:
Adel Republican Jake Chapman in open Senate District 10
Attorney Jeff Wright in the Ankeny This Is Where Your District Went seat, open House 37
Cedar Rapids Democrat Art Staed won one House term in 2006, then lost a 13 vote squeaker to Renee Schulte. He's now trying to knock her off in House 66, and the turf looks better for him than it did last time.
In routine incumbent filing:
In the safest red seat in the state, Sioux County's House 4, Republican Dwayne Alons files for another term.
We also have the Republican incumbent with the bluest seat, Zwingle's Brian Moore in House 58. He's looking at a rematch with the Democrat he upset, Tom Schueller.
Marshalltown Democrat Mark Smith in House 71
GOP freshman Jarad Klein of Keota in Washington-Keokuk county based House 78, where he dodged a redistricting pair-up when fellow GOPer Betty DeBoef retired
Republican Steve Olson of DeWitt in House 97
And we three Scott County House incumbents: Democrat Jim Lykam in House 89, Republican Ross Paustian in House 92, and Republican Linda Miller in 94.
And this one is an announcement but NOT a filing: Republican Greg Grupp, a Sioux City banker, in open House District 14. That's fellow Republican Jeremy Taylor's district without his house; Taylor is staying put in House 13 where he faces the state's only two incumbent House general election matchup against Democrat Chris Hall.
Oh, yeah. Almost forgot. A couple of dudes named Boswell and Latham filed.
The pattern is pretty consistent in this filing thing: A flurry of activity on Day One, then very little action the rest of the week and through Week Two. The filingy starts to pick up again at the beginning of Week 3, the surprises start on about Wednesday, and all hell breaks loose Friday afternoon.
My goal the next three weeks is a daily update, though I may skip a day if it's really dead. If you file on a slow day, you might get a bigger Deeth Blog writeup. And my usual griping about You Only Get One Announcement doesn't apply: a filing is a filing. But you get no story for an announcement "announce" AFTER you file.
I'm simultaneously working on the District Of The Day reboot. Hoping to hit with that ASAP after the March 16 filing deadline. I haven't decided on format and frequency yet; if I actually did a district a DAY the primary would be over well before I reached Chuck Isenhart and Pat Murphy in Dubuque's House 99 and 100. House Seat of the Hour, maybe? Senator of the Second?
Two local legislative candidates turned their paperwork in to the Secretary of State on today's first day of filing.
West Branch Democrat David Johnson has filed in House District 73, now held by Republican Jeff Kaufmann. The seat covers all of Cedar County, Scott Township and Greater Metro Solon in Johnson, and the GOP stronghold of Wilton in Muscatine County. Overall the seat leans slightly Democratic.
In no-incumbent House 77 in western and southern Johnson County, North Liberty Republican Steve Sherman is officially in. He's likely to face Democratic county supervisor Sally Stutsman in this strong Democratic seat.
Matt Schultz is continuing the tradition that dates back to the dawn of the net in the Paul Pate administration: daily candidate lists (pdf, bookmark-n-save). I'm more OCD (Obsessively Compulsive about Districts) more than anyone, but dang it if there STILL weren't a couple new (to me) legislative candidates whose names I hadn't seen before who filed on Day One.
Another now-official primary is in House District 7, where Republicans Mark Frakes and Tedd Gassman will face off for the right to challenge freshman Democrat John Wittneben, a narrow winner last time.
The early birds included a trio of youthful Republicans who'd already announced:
Other expected early birds included:
In routine incumbent filing:
And this one is an announcement but NOT a filing: Republican Greg Grupp, a Sioux City banker, in open House District 14. That's fellow Republican Jeremy Taylor's district without his house; Taylor is staying put in House 13 where he faces the state's only two incumbent House general election matchup against Democrat Chris Hall.
Oh, yeah. Almost forgot. A couple of dudes named Boswell and Latham filed.
The pattern is pretty consistent in this filing thing: A flurry of activity on Day One, then very little action the rest of the week and through Week Two. The filingy starts to pick up again at the beginning of Week 3, the surprises start on about Wednesday, and all hell breaks loose Friday afternoon.
My goal the next three weeks is a daily update, though I may skip a day if it's really dead. If you file on a slow day, you might get a bigger Deeth Blog writeup. And my usual griping about You Only Get One Announcement doesn't apply: a filing is a filing. But you get no story for an announcement "announce" AFTER you file.
I'm simultaneously working on the District Of The Day reboot. Hoping to hit with that ASAP after the March 16 filing deadline. I haven't decided on format and frequency yet; if I actually did a district a DAY the primary would be over well before I reached Chuck Isenhart and Pat Murphy in Dubuque's House 99 and 100. House Seat of the Hour, maybe? Senator of the Second?
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Session Starts Silly
The first week of session is always good for some silly bills. Merlin Bartz has a silly bill about... well, silly bills. The paired-up GOP senator, headed to a fall faceoff with Dem Mary Jo Wilhelm, wants to repeal a whole bunch of "obsolete" laws. But probably not the one that makes your neighbor pay for half your fence.
First term Rep. Bob Hager (R-northeast corner of state) is getting all 1990 on us with a term limits bill. Think Terry Branstad will sign that one? And Hager's very presence in the House doesn't make the best case for his own bill. He was a late-starting candidate who used our present system of term limits, called "elections," to defeat an incumbent. A one term incumbent. (That would be Decorah Dem John Beard, now on the comeback trail seeking an open Senate seat. Despite the name, he does not have one. Much like ZZ Top's drummer.) As for me I like my legislators and want them to keep doing the good job they've been doing for a long time.
With the session now underway Jerry Behn has taken over the Spinal Tap Drummer job of Iowa politics, Senate GOP leader, from Paul McKinley, who's leaving the legislature entirely at year's end. Bleeding Heartland has a good look at the district and the developing race. Former Knoxville city manager Dick Schrad announced this week on the Democratic side; Wayne County Supervisor Amy Sinclair was the first announced Republican soon after McKinley's retirement but we could well see a primary in this relatively even but slightly Republican seat.
Coming soon to a courtroom near you: Iowa’s workers’ compensation commissioner Chris Godfrey's $1 million discrimination lawsuit against Terry Branstad. Part of this is opposing agendas; part of it (charges Godfrey) is homophobia. And making this better, Godfrey's attorney is one Roxanne Conlin... Pass the popcorn, this will be good to watch.
First term Rep. Bob Hager (R-northeast corner of state) is getting all 1990 on us with a term limits bill. Think Terry Branstad will sign that one? And Hager's very presence in the House doesn't make the best case for his own bill. He was a late-starting candidate who used our present system of term limits, called "elections," to defeat an incumbent. A one term incumbent. (That would be Decorah Dem John Beard, now on the comeback trail seeking an open Senate seat. Despite the name, he does not have one. Much like ZZ Top's drummer.) As for me I like my legislators and want them to keep doing the good job they've been doing for a long time.
With the session now underway Jerry Behn has taken over the Spinal Tap Drummer job of Iowa politics, Senate GOP leader, from Paul McKinley, who's leaving the legislature entirely at year's end. Bleeding Heartland has a good look at the district and the developing race. Former Knoxville city manager Dick Schrad announced this week on the Democratic side; Wayne County Supervisor Amy Sinclair was the first announced Republican soon after McKinley's retirement but we could well see a primary in this relatively even but slightly Republican seat.
Coming soon to a courtroom near you: Iowa’s workers’ compensation commissioner Chris Godfrey's $1 million discrimination lawsuit against Terry Branstad. Part of this is opposing agendas; part of it (charges Godfrey) is homophobia. And making this better, Godfrey's attorney is one Roxanne Conlin... Pass the popcorn, this will be good to watch.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Announcements and Openings
Three weeks (!) till caucus night and bunch of mentions worth mentioning:
The Newt will be in the People's Republic tomorrow with a 2:5 stop on the medical campus.
The famIly leader continues its Gypsy Rose-like tease, announcing that they'll decide -- not announce the endorsement, just decide -- by next Monday. My read between Craig Robinson's lines: BVP really, really wants to go with Newt to block Mitt, but his base won't stand for the two divorces and is holding out in equal measure for Santorum or Bachmann.
The first GOP candidate opens a Johnson County HQ: Ron Paul. (Fair warning: the TV clip will auto-play). What good an Johnson County HQ does with three weeks, including finals and the holidays, does, I'm not sure.
Looking ahead and moving down the ballot:
Wayne County supervisor Amy Sinclair in Senate District 14. That's the seat where deposed leader Paul McKinley is retiring. A narrow GOP registration edge. Wayne County is a small piece of the district, so I won't be surprised if other Republicans get in.
Also in the Iowa Senate, attorney Dorothy O'Brien joins fellow Democrat Rita Hart in the open Senate 49 race. The predecessor of this seat saw a four-way 2010 primary. All things being equal, the Democrat would be favored over Republican Andrew Naeve, but Naeve made it extremely close against Tod Bowman (holding over to the north) in `10.
And here in the People's Republic, four of five courthouse incumbents are on record as running for re-election.
Looking ahead and moving down the ballot:
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
McKinley Out
Paul McKinley makes the inevitable official, stepping down as Iowa Senate GOP leader and, for good measure announcing he won't run for re-election next year.
The news itself isn't a shocker. Consensus seems to be that Bill Dix had the votes in September when he tried his coup d'etat, but his co-conspirators got squeamish about pulling the trigger while McKinley was vacationing outside the country.
But the timing, just six days before the Battle of Marion special election that could have made McKinley Co-Leader, not Minority leader, is interesting.
As always, I note that Iowa Senate Republican leader is the Spinal Tap Drummer of political posts: three coups and a retirement in bad health since 2006. Dozens of leaders spontaneously combust each year, it's just not widely reported. And as often happens, losing a leadership fight leads to a complete retirement from the chamber.
In addition to the internal GOP battle, McKinley's retirement opens up Senate District 14, which had changed quite a bit from his old turf. The new district is swing turf, with an April GOP reg edge of 622. It includes Clarke, Lucas, and Decatur counties, most of Marion County (but not Pella) and southern Jasper all the way up to the Newton city limits.
The House members in the district are both Republicans: freshman Joel Fry and retiring Richard Arnold. Democrat Megan Day Suhr has announced in House 28, the open Arnold seat.
The news itself isn't a shocker. Consensus seems to be that Bill Dix had the votes in September when he tried his coup d'etat, but his co-conspirators got squeamish about pulling the trigger while McKinley was vacationing outside the country.
But the timing, just six days before the Battle of Marion special election that could have made McKinley Co-Leader, not Minority leader, is interesting.
As always, I note that Iowa Senate Republican leader is the Spinal Tap Drummer of political posts: three coups and a retirement in bad health since 2006. Dozens of leaders spontaneously combust each year, it's just not widely reported. And as often happens, losing a leadership fight leads to a complete retirement from the chamber.
In addition to the internal GOP battle, McKinley's retirement opens up Senate District 14, which had changed quite a bit from his old turf. The new district is swing turf, with an April GOP reg edge of 622. It includes Clarke, Lucas, and Decatur counties, most of Marion County (but not Pella) and southern Jasper all the way up to the Newton city limits.
The House members in the district are both Republicans: freshman Joel Fry and retiring Richard Arnold. Democrat Megan Day Suhr has announced in House 28, the open Arnold seat.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
District of the Day: Senate District 14, House District 27 and 28
District of the Day: Senate District 14, House District 27 and 28Senate District 14
Registration: D 12299, R 12921, N 14401, total 39645, R+ 622
Incumbent:
The Senate minority leader is now getting his third district, with his native Lucas County the only constant. McKinley started out in 2000 by knocking off John Judge, who filled out the last two years of Patty's term when she was elected Secretary of Ag, in a sprawling six-county border district that ran from Bloomfield to Osceola. The district shifted north and added all of GOP-friendly Marion County and Mcinley easily won two more terms.
McKinley's new territory cuts the old Judge base in Monroe County out for the first time. He gets back Clarke and Lucas, which he had in 2000, and adds Decatur for the first time. To the north, McKinley keeps most of Marion County, but loses Pella. He keeps a small piece of Jasper County around Monroe and adds a little more to that piece: Sully, Reasnor, Lynnville, and all the way up to the Newton city limits.
The changes make McKinley's district significantly less Republican. He goes from a Republican voter registration edge of 3844 to a much more swingy 622. Isn't he the one who said redistricting is Iowa's version of term limits? In any case, McKinley briefly expressed higher ambitions in 2009 when he announced for governor, only to bail when Branstad came in to clear the field. Paul's in his early 60s so any ambitions need to happen fairly soon. But for the 2012 cycle I expect him to run again in the new seat in the hopes of picking up a couple senators and taking the majority.
House District 27
Registration: D 5913, R 6307, N 7046, total 19283, R+ 394
Incumbent: Joel Fry, R-Osceola
One of last year's upsets, Fry, 35, knocked off Democrat Mike Reasoner with a solid 57% win. Reasoner was from Creston and the old lines included most of Union County. The new district removes all of Union and keeps Decatur and Fry's home County, Clarke. It adds Wayne County and most of Lucas County including Chariton.
In addition to getting geographically bigger, Fry's seat gets a little closer partisan split. The old seat had a GOP registration edge of 791, and Reasoner managed to hang on for four terms. The new seat has about 400 fewer Republicans.
House District 28
Registration: D 6386, R 6614, N 7355, total 20362, R+ 228
Incumbent:
UPDATE October 27: Democrat Megan Day Suhr announces.
UPDATE May 18: Reader American007 cites Chariton newspaper report that Arnold is retiring. Knoxville Journal-Express:
“After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to seek re-election to the House. It’s truly been an honor and privilege to serve Iowans and to have been a part of Iowa’s citizen government,” said Arnold. “Meeting and working with my constituents has been one of the greatest pleasures of my experience as a representative. I appreciate all of the support, input and encouragement over the years.”Maybe Van Engelenhoven has an escape route now?
Arnold was first elected in 1994 and his toughest scrape was getting paired in the 2001 map. The other guy, Jim Van Engelenhoven, moved and got paired again this time. He won with 67% in both 2008 and 2010. The new map changes the lines substantially. Lucas County gets split for the first time since Iowa started Clean Redistricting (TM) in 1981, and with Chariton going west to Fry's district, Arnold gets the smaller, eastern part: Williamson and his town, Russell. He loses his piece of Mahaska and all of Monroe County, which becomes the core of new, empty House 80. His chunk of Marion County expands, at Van Engelenhoven's expense, to take in Knoxville and almost the whole county (but not Pella), and he also gets part of southern Jasper. The changes cost Arnold 1000 Republicans and turn a good GOP district into a swing seat.
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