Nikoel Hytrek is Iowa Starting Line’s longest-serving reporter. She covers LGBTQ issues, abortion rights and all topics of interest to Iowans. Her biggest goal is to help connect the dots between policy and people’s real lives. If you have story ideas or tips, send them over to nikoel@new.iowastartingline.com.
Nikoel Hytrek
Latest from Nikoel Hytrek
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Candidates’ Last Month In Iowa By The Numbers
In the final stretch before the Iowa caucus, candidates have to make January count. Those still remaining in the race will have held well over 200 events in Iowa before the month is out. That’s even with the interruption of the Senate impeachment trial, which called three candidates, Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth…
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Surrogates, Supporters Ready to Get Sanders Through Caucuses
Cold weather and technical difficulties didn’t dampen the spirits of the Monday night crowd of 764 people that showed up for Sen. Bernie Sanders in Des Moines. That’s good, because it was his last Iowa event before he returned today to Washington, D.C., for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, and he’ll need those supporters…
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How To Ensure The Next Democratic President’s Legacy Isn’t Undone
One of the biggest stories out of Donald Trump’s presidency is the long process of dismantling President Barack Obama’s legacy. Whether it’s rolling back environmental protections, packing the courts with right-wing ideologues, pulling out of hard-fought international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) or the many and laborious attempts…
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Changing Rolls And Registration: How Iowa Maintains Its Voter Records
With about nine months to go before the 2020 general election, eyes are already on states’ election infrastructure and practices that affect voters. In Iowa, some are concerned about a new voter ID law that require voters to prove who they are before they can cast a ballot. With recent news out of Wisconsin, Georgia,…
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Candidates To Discuss 10 Years Of Money In Politics At Democracy Forum
This year, the Citizens United decision turns 10 years old. To mark the occassion, eight pro-democracy groups have put together a forum to talk with four presidential candidates about getting money out of politics. This Sunday, Jan. 19, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Gov. Deval Patrick will be…
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With The Help Of Friends, Warren Locks Down Wavering Iowans
With three weeks left until caucus-goers make their presidential picks known, Sen. Elizabeth Warren returned to Iowa with big-name endorsers in tow and a second-place showing in the latest Iowa Poll. Voters at her two events in Central Iowa met her with the same enthusiasm as Warren has inspired for months, and a few were…
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With The Help Of Friends, Warren Locks Down Wavering Iowans
With three weeks left until caucus-goers make their presidential picks known, Sen. Elizabeth Warren returned to Iowa with big-name endorsers in tow and a second-place showing in the latest Iowa Poll. Voters at her two events in Central Iowa met her with the same enthusiasm as Warren has inspired for months, and a few were…
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Senators’ Past Judicial Recs Could Point To SCOTUS Picks
When asked, every Democratic presidential candidate says the courts are important and, if elected, they plan to appoint judges who respect the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent. However, none of the candidates mention specific names they would consider, only models they would follow. Popular shout-outs include Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman appointed to…
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Joni Ernst Petitions Supreme Court To Reconsider Roe v. Wade
On Thursday, Sen. Joni Ernst joined 206 other members of Congress in calling on the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision in Roe v. Wade. In March this year, the Supreme Court, with Donald Trump’s two new justices, is set to hear a case about abortion. At issue in the case, June Medical Services LLC…
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Joni Ernst Petitions Supreme Court To Reconsider Roe v. Wade
On Thursday, Sen. Joni Ernst joined 206 other members of Congress in calling on the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision in Roe v. Wade. In March this year, the Supreme Court, with Donald Trump’s two new justices, is set to hear a case about abortion. At issue in the case, June Medical Services LLC…
