I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed your time with family and friends. Please forgive the intrusion of politics over the holidays, but we do have a special election tomorrow and I wanted to get this information out to you before the date of the election. SPECIAL ELECTION FOR IA SENATE DISTRICT 45 ON TUESDAY, DEC 27.…

The Republican Party of Iowa is once again presenting awards for 3 different levels of volunteer service.  Chairman Kaufmann has asked that we forward to you his statewide call for volunteer nominations for 3 different categories of volunteer achievement; that call is below. Please note that nominations are due by noon on January 16, and there is a link included…

DES MOINES – Chairman Jeff Kaufmann and State Central Committee Member Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks praised the Iowa House Republicans for electing Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, as Speaker during a meeting this morning. Statement from Chairman Kaufmann: “Speaker Upmeyer will fight every day to cut burdensome regulations, reduce taxes, and keep power with the people of Iowa — where it belongs.…

DES MOINES – All 15 announced presidential campaigns will joined the Iowa GOP at #United Iowa event, a testament to their joint commitment to elect a Republican president in 2016. Campaigns participating in Friday’s #UnitedIowa rally include: Governor Bobby Jindal Governor Jeb Bush Donald Trump Senator Lindsey Graham Dr. Ben Carson Governor Rick Perry Governor George Pataki Senator Marco Rubio Governor Chris Christie…

DES MOINES – Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7% last month, the 5th lowest in America, as Governor Branstad’s leadership gives businesses the confidence they need to invest in our state. Chairman Jeff Kaufmann: “Governor Branstad has led this state and Iowa with an eye toward sustainable growth, resulting in broad based employment gains from Lyon County in the northwest…

DES MOINES – The Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee voted today to cancel the 2015 Iowa Straw Poll, previously planned for August 8. The final vote was unanimous to cancel the event. Statement from Chairman Jeff Kaufmann: “I’ve said since December that we would only hold a straw poll if the candidates wanted one, and this year that…

  Friday afternoon the Iowa House adjourned for the year, closing the books on the 2015 legislative session. I’d like to thank all of you who took the time to send me emails, called my office and sent letters expressing your support or opposition to pieces of legislation.  I am always appreciative of your feedback and thoughts. During the interim,…

Rick Santorum, the come-from-behind winner of the 2012 Iowa caucuses, hit the road again in Iowa. With his first campaign stop Thursday after announcing his 2016 presidential candidacy the day before in Pennsylvania, the former U.S. senator visited the Iowa Machine Shed, where he gave a relatively brief seven-minute stump speech. Then, he spent an hour and 10 minutes taking…

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said Thursday that “no one’s to blame for ISIS, other than ISIS,” but he nonetheless argued that the idea the terrorist group rose up because of the decision to pull American troops out of Iraq is false. Paul, who announced his candidacy for president last month, was in Davenport to sign his new book and make remarks…

Judy Davidson, Scott County Republican Party Chairman I read with concern the editorial “Let the straw poll expire” and respectfully disagree with this sentiment. I fully support the 2015 Iowa Straw Poll. The Straw Poll is an event for political grassroots participation at its finest. It gives Iowans the opportunity to meet with and hear from the presidential candidates. Conversely,…