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
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Statehouse TV Spending Shows Where GOP Is Worried
The battle for control of the Iowa Statehouse is fully underway on the TV airwaves across the state. And who’s spending money where gives us a very good hint of what each party is seeing in their internal polls. House Democrats and Senate Republicans began running positive ads in a number of districts two weeks…
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Ep62: Kavanaugh Hearing & Bonnie Campbell Interview
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard talks with former Iowa Attorney General Bonnie Campbell about the Brett Kavanaugh hearing, including comparing it to her own stalled nomination to the judiciary by Senate Republicans.
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Abby Finkenauer Breaks Another Iowa Record With $1.6 Million Quarter
In case you were wondering if the news could get even worse for vulnerable incumbent Congressman Rod Blum, you have your answer: it can. Abby Finkenauer, his Democratic opponent, will report raising a cool $1.6 million for the 3rd Quarter reporting period, her campaign tells Starting Line. That more than doubles her previous quarter’s haul…
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There’s Now More Democrats Than Republicans In IA-03
Democrats are increasing their number of registered voters at more than double the rate of Republicans in Iowa, according to the latest registration numbers released by the Secretary of State’s office today. In the 3rd Congressional District, Democrats have overtaken Republicans’ registration advantage for the first time ever since the district’s current lines were first…
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New Iowa Caucus Poll Has Opportunities, Warning Signs For 2020 Dems
A private poll was commissioned last month on likely Iowa Caucus-goers’ early thoughts on the 2020 race, and the results give us some fascinating clues as to where each White House contender may start off in the lead-off caucus state. Starting Line got a look at it today. The David Binder Research poll was commissioned…
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John Delaney Expands Caucus Staff With Experienced Iowa Operative
Congressman John Delaney is building out his Iowa team this week with the hiring of Greg Hauenstein as their new digital director. Hauenstein, a longtime digital media producer for Iowa campaigns, adds to Delaney’s early caucus operation as the Maryland congressman continues to get a head start on organizing over the rest of the 2020…
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National Dems Rally Base Over Kavanaugh At Iowa Steak Fry
The Brett Kavanaugh hearing was the talk of the afternoon among the Democratic activists who braved the rain for this weekend’s Polk County Democrats Steak Fry. Party volunteers discussed their reactions to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh’s testimony as they intermingled with the Iowa and national politicians who gathered to speak. The Iowa candidates…
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Scenes From This Year’s Rainy Steak Fry
The steaks might have been warm at today’s second annual Polk County Democrats Steak Fry, but not much else was. A steady rain began falling on the field at Des Moines’ Water Works Park shortly into the second speaker’s turn on stage. A crowd of over 500 cold and wet souls had dwindled to about…
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The Laugh Heard Around The World
One of President Trump’s favorite lines is to claim the world is laughing at the United States. As candidate and now President, Trump has often criticized long-established U.S. policies, saying they make America the “laughing stock” of the world. For instance, he has said our trade policies, the Iran deal and the Paris Climate Accords…
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Ep61: DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake & House Dem Laura Liegois
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard sits down with DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake to talk about what the national party is doing for Iowa. Plus, we interview Muscatine state legislative candidate Laura Liegois about her run for the Iowa House.
