More than 125 authors contributed to the 290 guest posts Bleeding Heartland published this calendar year–way up from the 202 pieces by about 100 writers in 2018 and the 164 posts by 83 writers the year before that. I’m immensely grateful for all the hard work that went into these articles and commentaries and have linked to them all below.
You will find scoops grounded in original research, such as John Morrissey’s exclusive reporting on Sedgwick landing a lucrative contract to administer Iowa’s worker’s compensation program for state employee, despite not submitting the high bid.
The most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post this year was Gwen Hope’s exclusive about the the Hy-Vee PAC donating $25,000 to the Iowa GOP, shortly before President Donald Trump headlined a Republican fundraiser at Hy-Vee’s event center in West Des Moines.
Several commentaries about major news events or political trends were also among the most widely read Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019. I’ve noted below pieces by Ed Fallon, Tim Nelson, Bruce Lear, Randy Richardson, J.D. Scholten, Dan Guild, State Senator Claire Celsi, and others that were especially popular. (This site has run more than 630 pieces since January 1.)
Please get in touch if you would like to write about any topic of local, statewide, or national importance during 2020, or if you have memories to share about an Iowa political figure who has passed away. If you do not already have a Bleeding Heartland account, I can set one up for you and explain the process. There is no standard format or word limit. I copy-edit for clarity but don’t micromanage how authors express themselves.
Although most authors write under their real names, pseudonyms are allowed here and may be advisable for those writing about sensitive topics or whose day job does not permit expressing political views. I ask authors to disclose potential conflicts of interest, such as being a paid staffer, consultant, or lobbyist promoting any candidate or policy they discuss here.
Quite a few guest posts endorsed presidential candidates. I expect to publish more along those lines before February 3. If you’re interested in writing about the Iowa caucuses, please read these guidelines.
As people turn their attention to other elections, I would welcome commentaries supporting Democrats in competitive races, such as the five-way U.S. Senate primary.
For the second year in a row, Ira Lacher (who writes under the handle “BronxinIowa”) was Bleeding Heartland’s most prolific guest author. He wrote 36 posts in 2019. In reverse chronological order:
Americans–not House Democrats–should impeach Trump
America’s Ephebe (endorsement of Pete Buttigieg)
Britain’s would-be Trump-alike
Saturday’s other presidential candidate event
Burying us by burying the lede
I will not let my Jewishness be hijacked
How do you solve a problem like a racist?
On fan safety, baseball strikes out
Hate speech ain’t free (except in the U.S.)
What we should learn from Pete Buttigieg
This Oscar controversy should have plenty of company
“It’s still early” — or is it?
Hey there — You’re a rock star
Ed Fallon wrote 22 posts:
Why we’re supporting Sheila Knoploh-Odole (with Kathy Byrnes)
Second debate’s top three casualties
A candid assessment of seven presidential candidates
Dakota Access announces pipeline expansion
Iowa Supreme Court gets it wrong on pipeline ruling
Apology is Beto O’Rourke’s path out of climate contradiction
Steve King implies Clintons should be executed (second most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2019)
Bill Clinton’s biggest “accomplishment”
Penguins pin down Joe Biden on climate
Are Democrats also climate deniers?
Changing the conversation on climate, one presidential candidate at a time
Steyer sinks as Iowa women rise
Dakota Access lion underestimates Iowa Lambs
Iowa legislature should also condemn Steve King
Bruce Lear wrote sixteen posts this year:
Virus-free school board members
What’s scarier than Halloween?
School board elections matter. How to find out where candidates stand
An open letter to Iowa Republican educators
Dear Iowans: Teacher patience is running out (seventh most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2019)
When being fair isn’t an Iowa value (among 40 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
Matt Chapman wrote thirteen posts this year:
Multilevel marketing moguls turned housing profiteers come to Iowa
There are no Rs and Ds in my community (among 30 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
Senate ignores deadbeat corporations while targeting Iowans on Medicaid
“Workfare” bill for Iowa Medicaid would cost nearly $17 million over two years
Bill targeting Iowans on public assistance would cost $40 million by 2021
Policy vs impact and the fig leaf of semantics
Five Senate bills target Iowans on public assistance
The intersection of anti-choice warriors and misogyny
On acknowledging victims as we reform felon voting restrictions
Tenure ban clears first Iowa legislative hurdle
For now, Trump denied monument to bigotry
Representative Bobby Kaufmann lives in a glass House
Reynolds: The buck stops at social media
Chris Jones wrote ten posts:
Stop saying we all want clean water
Iowa’s real population (among 40 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
Iowa stream nitrate: This is what happened
Dan Guild wrote nine posts:
40 days from the Iowa caucuses: Front-runners beware
Yes, the Iowa caucuses really matter
The Des Moines Register poll shows Buttigieg can win Iowa. But…
It’s getting late for the lower tier in Iowa
Biden following Clinton’s 2008 Iowa footsteps. Will Warren’s surge hold?
The first Democratic debate and Iowa: Biden in real trouble and a race remade
Joe Biden will probably lose Iowa (sixteenth most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2019)
On polling eleven months before the Iowa caucuses
Gwen Hope wrote seven posts this year:
Hy-Vee PAC’s latest Democratic donation raises questions
El Paso and Dayton: Case studies in media bias and propaganda
Hy-Vee’s largest political donation in a decade preceded Trump event
Society, socialism are collectivist concepts
Civic religion and political priesthood
“Wall” and white fear – a step-by-step guide to understanding racism
Cannabis: A greener way forward for Iowa
Gwen also wrote one piece in late December 2018, after I’d already published last year’s compilation of work by guest writers: Racism evident in Iowa justice system
Four authors each wrote five Bleeding Heartland posts in 2019. In alphabetical order, starting with Carl Olsen:
Logical, but disappointing: Reynolds vetoes medical cannabis bill
State board suggests more restrictive medical cannabis limits
Iowa Senate committee puts THC cap in House medical cannabidiol bill
What really happened last week with the medical cannabidiol bill?
Iowa could lead the nation in cannabis legislation
Randy Richardson:
Salary gap between Iowa teachers and school administrators widens
The level playing field has tipped against Iowa teachers (among 50 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
Iowa teacher salary dollars go unspent (among 50 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
Iowa’s defense of (whose) marriage act (ninth most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2019)
Show me the money: Is your school district hoarding cash? (among 50 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
Patrick Swanson:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Slenderleaf false foxglove
Brent’s Trail: Envisioning a state trail through the Loess Hills of western Iowa
Iowa wildflower Wednesday returns: Pasque flower
One Man and a Chainsaw: A Journey in Faith and Prairie Restoration
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Winter wonderland
Dave Swenson:
Health care according to our needs: Time to consider it a human right
Our biggest ethanol problem? There’s too much of it
Memo to presidential candidates: Rural Iowa is more than farm sector economics
A 2 percent solution to a nonexistent problem
Iowa’s 2019 economic outlook: The good, bad, and ugly
Four authors each wrote four posts this year. Katie Byerly:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Common blue wood aster (Heart-leaved aster)
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Lesser fringed gentian
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Cylindrical blazing star
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Purplestem Angelica
State Senator Claire Celsi:
Top ten tips for Governor Reynolds’ new public relations staffer
Public education lines have been drawn. Time to pick a side (seventeenth most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2019)
Action Alert: Voucher bill in the Iowa Senate (updated)
Join the battle for the soul of public education in Iowa
John Morrissey:
Carson King deserves naming rights for UI hospital viewing area
Sedgwick landed six-year, $7.9 million state contract with also-ran cost proposal (an important story that should have received more attention)
An army of misery forced to decamp with UnitedHealthcare’s departure
College admissions bribery case should kill sports betting bill
Kyla Paterson:
Julián Castro brings one of the most important voices to the table
I don’t want allyship when it’s conditional
Why Kirsten Gillibrand is best candidate for trans people in 2020
Why I support Kirsten Gillibrand for president
Six authors wrote three posts each this year. Tyler Granger:
Senator Ernst’s double standard on trade
Climate action at the Latino Heritage Festival: How you can help
Iowa’s senators must act on climate change
Sable Knapp:
Marianne Williamson goes beyond the surface
Alexandra Rucinski:
Fauxgressive: A letter of urgency and warning
Queen Kamala: Why calling a female candidate “anointed” is sexist
Emma Schmit:
No surprises here: Iowa’s factory farms are causing a water crisis
It’s time for a moratorium on factory farms (with Adam Mason)
Representative Fisher’s last chance (with Adam Mason)
Julie Stauch:
Open letter to those considering a run for president
What kind of president are you looking for in 2020?
Stacey Walker:
A candidate for the people (endorsement of Kimberley Graham for U.S. Senate)
Twenty authors each wrote two posts this year. By Amy Adams:
Iowans engaged in reading the Mueller Report
Iowans rally to release full Mueller report
Angelisa Belden:
When advocacy works: One bad land bill defeated, efforts to stop another
Flood reduction and clean water solutions are not magic
State Senator Joe Bolkcom:
Iowa governor, Republicans wrong to back billion-dollar borrowing scheme
Warren the choice for transformative, experience-driven problem solving
Isabelle Brace (this year’s youngest guest author):
Iowa youth go on strike demanding response to climate crisis
Re-elect Heather Anderson to the Des Moines School Board (with Finn Andersen, Hunter Andersen, and Ayanna Minnihan)
Lora Conrad:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: American pokeweed (Poke)
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum)
Alexandra Dermody:
Why I’m running for Davenport city council
The importance of youth in politics
Heather Marie Dunn:
A response to the FAMiLY Leader’s call for dialogue
Randy Evans:
A friendship built around ideas, not fishing
University of Iowa utility secrecy: A blow to public accountability
Kimberly Graham:
Why I’m running to be the best senator money can’t buy (20th most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post during 2019)
How to create activist judges (with Ember Lau)
Tyler Higgs:
Do Waukee schools have revolving doors? (among 40 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
Barb Kalbach:
Call to action for Iowans united on issues like health care, climate action
Farm Bill failure and the Washington bubble
Nor Kelly:
Warm, yet fierce: Why I am supporting Kamala Harris
Pie in the sky or possible? Flipping a tough district
Charlie Mitchell:
Sunrise Movement dawns on Iowa
A look at Elizabeth Warren’s brain trust in action
Nate Monson:
Why Mayor Pete will make LGBTQ youth safe
Solutions to bullying needed now
Jon Muller:
Trump’s trade war: Be careful what you wish for
A case for Andrew Yang and his Freedom Dividend
Tim Nelson:
A open letter to young white men
Why I’m switching from Elizabeth Warren to Pete Buttigieg (third most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2019)
John Norwood:
Action: Public comments needed on Iowa’s Impaired Waters List
How poor soil health and missing infrastructure leave our rivers filthy
Zach Simonson:
Democrats: Do something about streaming
Upgrade Medicaid:
Celebrating what’s working in Iowa Medicaid
Tom Witosky:
Tribal sovereignty and Elizabeth Warren’s problem with her Cherokee heritage claim
A walk on a cold winter day with my grandfather
Eighty-six people contributed one post each to the website during 2019.
Dale Alison:
A look to the Des Moines Register’s future
State Representative Marti Anderson:
Catherine Williams: Breaking barriers and glass ceilings 50 years ago
Elizabeth Behre:
Kamala Harris still owes us an apology
Nancy Bobo:
Cory Booker: A tough, compassionate, and effective leader
Janis Bowden:
My time with Lieutenant Governor Jo Ann Zimmerman
Bonnie Louise Brown:
Julian Castro stands up to injustice and discrimination
Jeff Cox (writing under the handle Prairie Progressive):
We need a new New Deal (endorsement of Bernie Sanders)
Charles Bruner:
Coming of age: Children’s issues and the 2020 election
Ryan Bruner:
Steve King: Abortion, immigration, and religion
Mike Carberry:
MidAmerican’s actions speak louder than words on clean energy
Leslie Carpenter:
Scott Carpenter:
Bev Clark:
Lawmakers should act on absentee ballots, mail barcodes
John Clayton:
Bleeding Heartland user “corncam“:
Terry McAuliffe polling Iowans? Notes on a survey
Megan Dake:
Simon Davis-Cohen (cross-posted from Tarbell.org):
Iowa Privatized Medicaid: It Has Been A Disaster. Here’s Why.
Paul Deaton:
Mike Delaney:
Thoughts inspired by a week in the Boundary Waters
Sue Dinsdale:
Sandy Dockendorff:
Elizabeth Warren can take on Washington corruption
State Representative Molly Donahue:
Amy Klobuchar: A leader for everyone
Nino Erba:
Nino Erba: Candidate for Dubuque City Council 2019
Emilio Escobar:
Beto O’Rourke is writing no one off, taking no one for granted
Allison Engel:
What Steve King should learn from his own background
Brian Fallon:
Democrats running for president must lead on the Supreme Court
T.J. Foley:
The case for a Democratic message of fiscal sustainability
Cindy Garlock:
Whom does Joni Ernst really represent?
Athena Gilbraith:
Joe Gorton:
Democratic statewide candidates need sharper rhetoric
John Grieder:
John Hale:
A trip to Walmart will never be the same
Tamyra Harrison:
Remembering my dear friend, Jerry Tormey
Greg Hauenstein:
Effective end of quarter campaign fundraising emails
Aaron Hawbaker:
How do you represent those people?
Dirk Hillard:
Why I’m running for Davenport City Council
Emily Holley:
The power of your personal health care story
Iowa United Spinal Advocacy:
Medicaid and pineapple on pizza
Andy Johnson and Jim Martin-Schramm:
Resolved: Iowa communities want piece of clean energy future
Lucy Karlin:
Miriam Kashia:
Guilty or not guilty? You decide
Tom Kinn:
A 55-cent solution to a million-dollar problem
John Kirsch:
Sheila Knoploh-Odole:
Des Moines takes courageous first step to a Climate Action Plan
Diane Kolmer:
The Des Moines Register’s editors just don’t get it
Gary Kroeger:
Mark Langgin:
Dark money lobbying Iowa legislature on solar bill (among 30 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
James Larew:
The Detroit debates and Iowa’s political proving ground
Barbara Leach:
Remember: An army marches on its stomach
Emilene Leone:
Images from the flood in downtown Davenport
Kay Marcel:
Why I will caucus for Cory Booker
Chris Martin:
America’s invisible working class
State Representative Mary Mascher:
Elizabeth Warren has the heart, intellect and plans to lead our country
Noah Mathis, Alena Gamble, and Rachel Overla:
Ban prehistoric practice of conversion therapy
Michael Mauro:
A tribute to Senator Dick Dearden
Kurt Meyer:
Tyler Mills:
John Hickenlooper’s innovation, problem solving would help our nation
Pat Murphy:
How the Iowa House passed the civil rights bill in 2007
Leslie Nesmith:
Joni Ernst needs to act on the Violence Against Women Act
Brent Newman:
Joe Gatto is not fit to serve Des Moines Ward 4 (among 30 most-viewed Bleeding Heartland posts of 2019)
State Representative Amy Nielsen:
Cory Booker takes the third Democratic debate
Abshir Omar:
We all come to look for America (endorsement of Bernie Sanders)
One Iowa:
LGBTQ lives cannot be compromised
Andrea Phillips:
Why I’m running for Iowa House district 37
Danya Rafiqi:
Why I’m with Beto: Every voice should be heard
Landra Jo Reece:
Cory Booker will build a brighter, greener future with us
Amanda Rex-Johnson:
House bill would update Iowa divorce law, removing tool for abusers
Connie Ryan:
Marty Ryan:
Fighting city hall on the state level
Teresa Schneider:
Why I’m with Beto: Keeping our families safe from gun violence
J.D. Scholten:
J.D. Scholten reacts to Steve King on “Iowa Press” (twelfth most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2019)
Justin Scott:
Iowa Senate needs to understand: religious freedom also applies to atheists
Leland Searles:
Matt Sinovic:
Five things to know about Trump’s sabotage budget
Art Small:
Control of Iowa House a 2020 priority for national Democratic tech group
Ryan Stevenson:
Why we need Cory Booker in this race
Rachel Wall:
Elizabeth Warren is running to do the job
David Weaver:
Trump’s EPA punishes renewable fuels and farmers
John Webb:
Julian Castro offers an immigration policy with an international approach
Nate Willems:
Why I’m caucusing for Beto O’Rourke
Bill Witt: