Pat Rynard founded Iowa Starting Line in 2015. He still keeps a close eye on Iowa politics, his dog’s name is Frank, and football season is his favorite time of year.
Pat Rynard
Latest from Pat Rynard
-
Rod Blum Is Still Running Ads In His Old District
Congressman Rod Blum was defeated in his reelection effort by Abby Finkenauer last November, but that hasn’t stopped the Republican from staying politically active. In fact, he’s still running advertising online. A quick review of the Facebook Ad Archive shows Blum continuing to pay for Facebook ads over the past two months. The “paid for”…
-
Ep83: Viral Caucus Trail Moments & John Delaney Interview
The Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard is joined by State Representative Jennifer Konfrst to talk about how viral moments on the caucus trail affect news coverage. And we interview presidential candidate John Delaney about where he sees a path to victory for him in the Iowa Caucus.
-
Mauro Launches New PAC To Send Ernst Packing In 2020
Senator Joni Ernst starts out her 2020 reelection effort in a strong position, garnering a 57% approval rating in a poll released by the Des Moines Register last night. She’s spent her first years in D.C. largely unscathed by major controversy or any sustained opposition criticism, but that mostly free ride will soon come to…
-
Ep82: Sanders Gets In, Early Caucus Takeaways & Troy Price Interview
The Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard is joined by Des Moines Register chief politics reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel to talk about Bernie Sanders’ run, key takeaways from early caucus campaigning, and the Register’s new poll on virtual caucuses. And we interview Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price about the proposed caucus changes.
-
A New Iowa Partnership To Help 2020 Candidates Go Viral
In every presidential campaign cycle, candidates in a crowded primary field are always looking for that “breakout moment.” The clever debate stage quip that gets replayed endlessly on cable news. The powerful speech at a major state party fundraiser that wows the crowd. But one method that may surpass the potential of all those this…
-
The New Sights, Players, And Hang-Out Spots Of The 2020 Iowa Caucus
For those who have been involved in multiple caucus cycles, you know that the campaign process in Iowa often takes on its own unique character. Every cycle, there are a new group of key local players, issue groups, favorite hang-out spots, and campaign strategies that all make frequent appearances on the caucus campaign trail. We’re…
-
Right-Wing 2020 Smears Already Seeping Into Iowa Media Coverage
Does Cory Booker want to ban the eating of meat? No, of course not. And it’s such a preposterous suggestion, most people would roll their eyes and ignore it. But that didn’t keep a local Iowa TV station from running a story based on the fake controversy that generated from an online right-wing freakout over…
-
Amy Petersen Announces Run For Danielson’s Senate Seat
A Cedar Falls Democrat just announced her candidacy for the Senate District 30 special election, and it’s hard to imagine anyone with a better profile for public office. Amy Petersen, a professor of special education and a labor activist, wrote on Facebook this morning that she will seek the party’s nomination to replace Jeff Danielson,…
-
For Senate Democrats, A Tumultuous Three Years
Jeff Danielson’s decision to resign from the Iowa Senate yesterday was the latest reminder of how much upheaval the Senate Democrats have experienced in recent years. The Democratic side of that chamber is a very different place than it was a little over two years ago in mid-2016. A slew of departures – both voluntary…
-
Ep81: New Legislators, School Funding, And Pete Buttigieg Interview
The Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard is joined by State Representative Lindsay James to talk about presidential drop-ins at the Statehouse, what it’s like being a new legislator, and what the Republican school funding bill means. And we interview Mayor Pete Buttigieg during his first trip to Iowa since announcing his presidential run.
