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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Why Joe Biden’s Labor Secretary Could Come From Iowa
During an Iowa Caucus season packed with multi-candidate forums, Rep. Abby Finkenauer’s labor-focused Fish Fry in Cedar Rapids was easily overshadowed in the national press by the state party’s flashy Liberty and Justice mega-event held the day previous. But last year’s Nov. 2 forum held by the first-term member of Congress may have been the…
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IA-02 Race Narrows To Eight-Vote Margin, One County Remains
The race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is down to single digits with late developments from Jasper and Scott counties, while one final county has several thousand ballots to recount on Saturday. No matter who ends up the victor in the nation’s closest federal race, whether by a single-digit vote advantage or the winner being chosen…
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No Easy Answers In Iowa Aftermath
Last night was a disaster for Iowa Democrats up and down the ballot, an across-the-board loss that will impact state government and elections for cycles to come. There are many, many reasons for last night’s red wave in Iowa — if anyone tries to explain it all with one cause (likely matching the view they…
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Trump Turnout Hands Iowa Dems Another Blowout Loss
If Republican campaigns are being honest with themselves, even they were not predicting this massive of a victory on all electoral levels last night in Iowa. Republicans will not only maintain full control of state government, they will significantly expand their majority in the Iowa House. Joni Ernst has dispatched Theresa Greenfield. Cindy Axne may…
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Democrats In For A Bad Night In Iowa
Initial results in Iowa look like it’s going to be a red wave that rivals if not surpasses 2016. Polk County posted stunning results for Iowa House Democratic incumbents early this evening, with both Heather Matson and Karin Derry losing suburban seats. Matson’s race was not even seen by either party as competitive — she…
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An Election Cycle Iowa Democrats Can Be Proud Of
The best feeling in the world is waking up in a calm, almost zen-like mood on Election Day after a very long campaign. Campaign staffers know what I’m talking about — it’s when you know you have all your get-out-the-vote shifts filled, the call/walk packets are ready, every last hour is planned out. Basically, you’ve…
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Democrats Expand Statehouse Map With Last-Minute Spending
The battle for control of the Iowa Statehouse is getting even more interesting as we’re about to reach the finish line. The last finance report put out Friday shows new races coming onto the board late for Democrats, while Republicans have fully pulled out of some districts. Democrats’ financial advantage has become even more clear…
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Iowa’s Best Early Voting Counties For Each Party Three Days Out
Before Election Day gets here, Iowans may well have already cast one million early votes. As of this morning, the Secretary of State’s office reports that 924,533 votes have been cast in the 2020 election. The state has also now surpassed one million absentee requests, now sitting at 1,012,922 (if you still have an absentee…
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Iowa’s Best Early Voting Counties For Each Party Three Days Out
Before Election Day gets here, Iowans may well have already cast one million early votes. As of this morning, the Secretary of State’s office reports that 924,533 votes have been cast in the 2020 election. The state has also now surpassed one million absentee requests, now sitting at 1,012,922 (if you still have an absentee…
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Ernst Obsessed With Opponent, Spending, Ads As Days Dwindle
Sen. Joni Ernst has five final days to turn things around. While Ernst is closing on TV with a longer positive spot, the senator herself has been largely obsessed with her opponent Theresa Greenfield on the campaign trail, her stump speech for the past month focused on attacks, fundraising disparities and the national Senate scene.…
