State of Iowa Archives: on Civil Rights


Al Gore: Women deserve equal pay for equal work

Q: What is your opinion of the fact that women earn less than men for the same work? A: I support an equal day’s pay for an equal day’s work. I support vigorous enforcement of our laws against discrimination, including affirmative action, which all the Republicans are attacking today.
Source: Democrat Debate in Johnston Iowa Jan 8, 2000

Al Gore: Confederate flag divides-remove it, but no boycott

Q: Do you support the NAACP’s boycott of of South Carolina until the Confederate flag is removed from their Statehouse? A: The Confederate battle flag divides America. It stands as a hurtful symbol to millions because it recalls the pain of slavery. It should be removed from the SC State Capitol building & from any government institution so as to make them welcoming to all. I do not think a president should ever boycott an individual state [but] we need to bring the Confederate flag down.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Gore: Ban racial profiling by Executive Order

Q: In Oneonta, NY, an elderly white woman was attacked in her home. She only saw one of his hands. The police went and questioned every single African-American man in town, old, young, middle aged, bald. Comments? A: On the first day of a Gore presidency, I would issue an executive order to ban racial profiling. And the first civil rights bill introduced from the White House of the year 2001 would be a bill outlawing racial profiling. There’s a lot of pain out there in this country on the part of Latinos and Asian-Americans who feel as if they have been singled out unfairly and sometimes in a very harsh way because of the way they look. That is unacceptable. We need more community police officers, more contacts between officers walking the beat and the leaders in each community. And we need more diverse police departments with African-Americans and Latinos and others represented fully on the police force so the police force understands the community well.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Gore: Latinos considered for Supreme Court, but no pledge

Q: Will you take a pledge that you will appoint a Hispanic to the Supreme Court? A: I’m going to avoid listing names of people to appoint, because I’m not going to get ahead of myself. I’m fighting to get the Democratic nomination. [However], If I am entrusted with the presidency, I will make appointments and nominations that fully reflect the diversity of our country to the Supreme Court as well as to the Cabinet, and that includes Latinos, yes.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Gore: Review disenfranchisement of felons but keep concept

Q: The 14th Amendment allows the states to disenfranchise convicted felons. As a result, 1.4 million African-American males are unable to vote. Comments? A: The principle that convicted felons do not have a right to vote is an old one. The definition of what kind of crimes automatically fall in the category that triggers that exclusion from the franchise could well benefit from a fresh review. [But I support] the established principle heinous crimes should result in a disenfranchisement.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Gore: Civil rights and affirmative action on top of agenda

Q: How important would Civil Rights laws be in your administration? A: I believe that we need vigorous enforcement of the civil rights laws.. Bring our people together with affirmative action, civil rights enforcement and with leadership to put civil rights right at the top of our national agenda.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Gore: More minorities in government to reflect America

Q: Will you appoint minorities to high offices? A: We have been one of the most successful administrations in history, bringing about the strongest economy in history, not in spite of diversity, but because of diversity. I will seek to break that record not only because it’s fair & right to have a government that looks like America, but because it is the best way to have a government that works well for America, that understands the challenges and sees the opportunities in every single community.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Gore: Expand laws for gays but don’t re-open Civil Rights Act

Q: How will Senator Bradley’s proposal to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gay and lesbian Americans impact the civil rights of racial, religious and other minorities?

GORE: The leaders of civil rights groups & most gay and lesbian rights groups believe that it is not wise to open up the 1964 Civil Rights Bill in the Republican congress to a process that could lead to it being seriously damaged and even lost. Virtually all of them have followed the leadership of Congressman Barney Frank in supporting the employment nondiscrimination act as a way to get right to the heart of the problem.

BRADLEY: When there is discrimination, you address it with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. would I send such a piece of legislation to the congress if I’d thought the 1964 Civil Rights Act was going to be opened up? Absolutely not.

Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Gore: Ideas & ideals bind different races together

We are bound together, not by any common ethnicity or race or language or national origin. We are bound together by a set of ideas and ideals. Even our founders underestimated the spiritual power of the words they gave us. Otherwise they would have freed their slaves and given women the right to vote as well as African-Americans and Latinos. But in our generation we have been privileged to stand on their shoulders and expand the circle of human dignity.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Al Sharpton: No people of color in Dean’s cabinet-should import talent

Q: How you can explain not one black or brown working for your administration as governor?

DEAN: We do have African-American & Latino workers in state government.

SHARPTON: I said under your administration. Do you have a senior member of your cabinet that was black or brown?

DEAN: We had a senior member of my staff on my 5th floor.

SHARPTON: No, your cabinet.

DEAN: No, we did not. [But the cabinet has only] six members.

SHARPTON: Then you need to let me talk to you about race in this country.

DEAN: If the percentage of African-Americans in your state was any indication of what your views on race were, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King.

SHARPTON: But I don’t think that that answers the question. If you want to lecture people on race, you ought to have the background and track record in order to do that. Governors import talent. Governors reach all over the country to make sure they have diversity.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Al Sharpton: Just talking about race is trivializing the issue

Q: Is the Confederate flag an acceptable symbol of anything to an American?

DEAN: The Confederate flag is a painful symbol to African-Americans in this country because of what it represented. When we campaign, we’ve got to talk. They say race in the South or anyplace else in America, we’ve got to say jobs, because everybody needs a job, doesn’t matter what color they are or where they come from. We need to talk about the things that everybody needs: jobs, education & health care.

SHARPTON: Blacks in South Carolina are double unemployed to whites. We can’t use a class formula to go around that issue. Secondly, just having conversations with whites without real legislation, without real executive action is to trivialize our problems. We don’t need people talking to whites. We need people to do something about racism and about discrimination. Don’t reduce this to a coffee shop conversation. We need action. And a president leads, like Lyndon Johnson did. They don’t just have a conversation.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Al Sharpton: Get young people involved in the election process

Q: What would you do to address the low African American voter turnout?

A: I’ve spent a lot of time trying to address the issue of youth voter registration. We’ve spent time on campuses in this campaign of all races trying to register young people. I think if we bring young people out, it not only is good for them, it’s good for the country. You can’t just lay down and accept being marginalized. Even if you’re knocked down, that’s somebody else’s fault, you have to get up, that’s your obligation.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Alan Keyes: Ten Commandments & prayer should be in schools

Q: Does posting the Ten Commandments in schools invalidate the religious expression of children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage? A: The Ten Commandments are etched into the walls of the Supreme Court. I find it rather hard to believe it could be inappropriate to put them on the walls of our schools. The problem we have [is] a phony doctrine pretending that the federal government, through the courts, has the right to dictate uniformity of religion or irreligion. It’s not true. Through the 14th Amendment some of these lawyers try to pretend that the judges can do what the amendment explicitly forbids the Congress from doing, dictating religious practices at the state and local level. This whole approach is wrong. All of this should be left up to the choice of parents in their schools. It’s part of the reason school choice is so important. So we not only have people in schools who pray, but schools in the hands of people who pray by their own choice. That’s the way we should go.
Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

Alan Keyes: Conducting gov’t in Spanish assaults our linguistic unity

KEYES [to Bush]: [A Texas town] passed an ordinance saying that all business is to be conducted in the Spanish language. A lot of us look at that sort of thing as an assault on our linguistic unity that is dangerous to the future union of this country. What action do you plan to take to show the people that you stand for one nation, one language rather than a nation linguistically divided?

BUSH: No es la verdad.

KEYES: Es la verdad, se¤or.

BUSH: One, I expressed concern about it-I don’t want this town’s business being conducted in Spanish, it ought to be conducted in English. Secondly, I’ve talked to [Texas’] attorney general to make sure that this town was conforming to all the laws of Texas.
I’m for what’s called English Plus. English is the great language that provides freedom and opportunity. Plus we respect other people’s heritage in this country.

Source: (x-ref to Bush) GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

Andy McGuire: Elect women who will fight for equality

We are far from finished in the fight for women's equality. We need female voices in government who will take a tough stand against any and all types of gender discrimination. We need to elect women who will stand up to President Trump when he publicly and unabashedly objectifies women. We need women who won't turn a blind eye to sexual harassment in the workplace. And we need women in government who will improve women's access to health care, not create more barriers.
Source: 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial website McGuireForGovernor.com Aug 31, 2017

Andy McGuire: Conversion therapy is torture, not treatment

Over a decade ago, Iowa was one of the leading voices in the fight to legalize marriage equality. We should be proud of the progress we've made while recognizing the struggles that remain and the tasks at hand. With Republicans controlling both the Iowa House and Senate, we must be vigilant in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equality and work to elect a governor who can always be counted on to stand with the LGBTQ+ community. I want to be that voice, and I can guarantee that the LGBTQ+ community will always have an ally if I am elected governor.

As governor, I will also fight to end conversion therapy, a heinous and despicable practice that has no place anywhere in society. It's torture, not treatment. You cannot "pray the gay away". Being LGBTQ+ is not a disease. We cannot, and we should not seek to "treat" or "cure" it. Iowa can be a leader in the LGBTQ+ community, once again, by joining nine other states that have banned this dangerous and misguided draconian practice.

Source: 2018 Iowa Governor campaign website McGuireForGovernor.com Mar 21, 2018

Bill Bradley: Appointments should reflect a world without gender

Q: What is your opinion of the fact that women earn less than men for the same work? A: I think that appointments should reflect that you see a world without gender. I think that women in the country today have so much talent burgeoning into the scene in the corporate sector and slowly in government. I think that there’s an opportunity to unlock enormous potential in our society, so that we can be as good as we can possibly be.
Source: Democrat Debate in Johnston Iowa Jan 8, 2000

Bill Bradley: Include gays in Civil Rights Act

Q: How will Senator Bradley’s proposal to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gay and lesbian Americans impact the civil rights of racial, religious and other minorities?

GORE: The leaders of civil rights groups & most gay and lesbian rights groups believe that it is not wise to open up the 1964 Civil Rights Bill in the Republican congress to a process that could lead to it being seriously damaged and even lost. Virtually all of them have followed the leadership of Congressman Barney Frank in supporting the employment nondiscrimination act as a way to get right to the heart of the problem.

BRADLEY: When there is discrimination, you address it with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. would I send such a piece of legislation to the congress if I’d thought the 1964 Civil Rights Act was going to be opened up? Absolutely not.

Source: (X-ref from Gore) Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bill Bradley: Pull down Confederate flag immediately

Q: Do you support the NAACP’s boycott of of South Carolina until the Confederate flag is removed from their Statehouse? A: I’d pull it down today. I think it should be withdrawn absolutely. I think it’s an offense to our common humanity and it is not the future of this country. If we’re going to make progress on race in America, we have to change the conditions of discrimination and poverty and we have to change our hearts so that we can bring everybody along as our brother or sister.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bill Bradley: Affirmative action battles subtle racism

Q: Where do you rank affirmative action when it comes to any one you might have the chance to nominate to sit on the Supreme Court? A: I could never appoint anybody to the Supreme Court that I thought might turn the clock back on civil rights. I think of affirmative action & how overblown the criticism is. It’s the best of what America is. I think that we’ve made progress. But I think now things are a little more subtle. It’s not the school door being shut. It’s not the overt prohibition of going into a hotel. What it is now is you can’t go to a bank and get a loan. [It’s] the digital divide; [and it’s] doctors who won’t accept Medicaid payments. There’s a long way to go and until we get to that day we still need affirmative action.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bill Bradley: End racial profiling by Executive Order

Q: In Oneonta, NY, an elderly white woman was attacked in her home. She only saw one of his hands. The police went and questioned every single African-American man in town, old, young, middle aged, bald. Comments? A: I do not agree with it. We all know what driving while black is. This is breathing while black.... Racial profiling is particularly pernicious because we’re talking about people who pay their taxes, work hard, abide by the rules and they are plucked out because of our inability to see beneath skin color or eye shape or ethnicity in this country and stopped on a regular basis. If I were president, I would put an executive order in immediately that would end racial profiling in the federal government. I would work to get local police departments to keep data to be able to demonstrate that there was racial profiling. And then I’d sic the Justice Department after them to make sure they were going to abide by the law in which no racial profiling.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bill Bradley: Latinos should be on Supreme Court, but no commitment

Q: Will you take a pledge that you will appoint a Hispanic to the Supreme Court? A: One of the most exciting things taking place is the tremendous burgeoning, enthusiasm and optimism and confidence in Latino America, because they see that their futures can be realized through the political system of this country. That means that they should be appointed at the highest levels of our government and that includes the Supreme Court. No commitment today, but commitment that there are many who could.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bill Bradley: Rescind disenfranchisement if released felons keep straight

Q: The 14th Amendment allows the states to disenfranchise convicted felons. As a result, 1.4 million African-American males are unable to vote. Comments? A: There’s not question there’s unequal justice & that a generation of young African-American males are ending up in prison, in large part for nonviolent, first-time drug offenses. If someone is in on a nonviolent offense is able to go straight for 2 or 3 years, that person ought to be able to wipe his record clean and start the day anew.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bill Bradley: Diversity creates the best Administration

Q: Will you appoint minorities to high offices? A: Absolutely. [My] administration will reflect the diversity of the country for one common-sense reason, because that would be the best administration. I have always had advisers at the highest level who were African-American, who were Latino, who were Asian-Americans. I did that because I thought that made me a better leader. And besides, there are a lot of people out there with a great talent that need to be given that chance to serve their country.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bill Bradley: I’ve seen racism, and it must end

I made my living for 10 years paying professional basketball, traveling with a predominantly African-American group around the country. one of the things I learned is how much I will never know about what it is to be African-American in this country. But I saw some things that offended me. And I want people to know that I see things but you feel them. And discrimination is still there, racism is still there. And because I know and I see, I might not know as well as you, but I do know it has to end.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa Jan 17, 2000

Bob Krause: 67% of Millenials support gay marriage

Source: 2016 Campaign website for Iowa Senate, krauseforiowa.com Nov 11, 2015

Bobby Jindal: Institution of marriage existed long before our laws existed

Rick Santorum said he would never attend a same-sex wedding. Marco Rubio said he might attend one. Scott Walker actually went to a same-sex wedding reception, not to be confused with an actual same-sex wedding ceremony. Ted Cruz said he is firmly opposed to gay marriage, but would be comfortable if his daughter were gay.

The more conservative members of this Republican field--among them Sen. Cruz; Sen. Santorum; Gov. Bobby Jindal; and Gov. Mike Huckabee--have aggressively emphasized their opposition to same-sex marriage. For them, the issue can be used to differentiate themselves not just from Democrats but from mainstream Republicans, like Jeb Bush, who is trying to appeal to a broader audience with an eye to the general election.

Jindal was critical of Republican lawmakers in Indiana and Arkansas who backed down on laws that proponents say protect religious freedom, while Rubio declared that "the institution of marriage as one man and one woman existed long before our laws existed."

Source: N.Y. Times on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 26, 2015

Bobby Jindal: I pledge support for a religious freedom law

Bobby Jindal got out front against a right to gay marriage by writing an op-ed this week that was headlined, "I'm holding firm against gay marriage." There were hundreds of printouts of the piece, which ran in the New York Times, scattered throughout the mega-church [conference of the Faith & Freedom Summit].

The Louisiana governor's speech was interrupted twice by standing ovations as he pledged his support for a religious freedom law in his home state that's as strong as the one enacted in Indiana. The Republican governor there, Mike Pence, prodded his legislature to enact a "fix" after threats of boycotts on the state and massive backlash from the business community.

Jindal said he won't back down. "Corporate America is not going to bully the governor of Louisiana," he said. "Here's my message to Hollywood: the United States of America did not create religious liberty. Religious liberty created the United States of America." Both lines got him standing ovations.

Source: Politico.com on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 26, 2015

Carol Moseley-Braun: Have to have an honest conversation about race-Dean is right

Q: Is the Confederate flag an acceptable symbol of anything to an American?

A: We have to have an honest conversation about race in this country. I think Howard’s right on that point. We have to have an honest conversation, because without that conversation we will never get to the point where we can pass the laws, where we can have the orders, where we can do the work that’s necessary to bring us together as one American family.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Carol Moseley-Braun: Need to reform immigration policy to welcome them

Q: Would you allow driver’s license for immigrants?

A: I would work closely with other governments, particularly with Mexico, to work out treaty arrangements, to work out protocols, to work out the kind of arrangements that would give some semblance of order to this process. So that when people come back & forth across the border, they’re not dying in the deserts, they’re not driving cars without insurance, without licenses. We need to give people a sense of being welcome in this land of immigrants.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Christopher Reed: Define marriage as one man and one woman only

Q: What are your views on gay marriage?

A: Marriage is between one man and one woman only. It is a license by the state to recognize the unity of a family.

Q: And should the Constitution of the state of Iowa say that?

A: Yes.

Q: How would you go about making that happen?

A: In the state of Iowa I wouldn’t because that would be a state issue and I’m a federal campaign candidate.

Source: Dean Borg, Iowa Public TV. on 2008 Iowa Senate debate Jun 6, 2008

Christopher Reed: Don’t-ask-don’t-tell caused disruption in military

Reed criticized Sen. Harkin on the issue of gays in the military, after a hearing in which Harkin defended the rights of gays and lesbians who’re serving in the nation’s armed forces.

Christopher Reed served in the Navy both before and after the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy took effect. “It has caused more disruption by bringing it up than there was beforehand. There are no open homosexuals in the military,” Reed says. “I think it creates a distraction that is unnecessary to the fighting forc

Source: Radio Iowa coverage of 2008 Iowa Senate debate May 23, 2008

Chuck Grassley: Wait for DoD report before considering Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell

Conlin promises she'd vote to repeal two federal policies that she argues infringe upon the rights of gay Americans. "[Grassley] wants members of the LGBT community to be second-class citizens," Conlin said. Conlin vowed: "If you send me to Washington, I will fight to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; I will fight to repeal DOMA and I will fight to end discrimination in employment." DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, says no state is required to recognize a same-sex marriage from another state.

As for th military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Grassley argues Congress should wait for a Defense Department study before voting to end it. "I think that congress ought to have that information before we vote," Grassley said. "And so I'm going to wait until that study comes out at the end of the year because I don't want to do anything with a program that has worked good for 18 years and has allowed the military to carry out its mission to make it more difficult for a combat organization to do its mission."

Source: Radio Iowa coverage of 2010 Iowa Senate Debate Oct 19, 2010

Deidre DeJear: I stand with Trans girls, your rights are non-negotiable

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 2416, a bill that restricts girls' and women's athletics to biological women. Deidre DeJear, who seeks the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Kim Reynolds in this year's gubernatorial election, tweeted, "To the Trans girls in our state- please know I stand with you. Today and always. Your rights are non-negotiable."
Source: Iowa Torch on 2022 Iowa Gubernatorial race Mar 3, 2022

Doug Butzier: Affirmative action is government interference in marketplace

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring women & minorities"?

A: I'm opposed to government interference in the marketplace, and mandating some fraction of the workforce be women & minorities would be interference. The very idea that a group of Senators, myself included, would know what is the best hiring practice for some business is preposterous.

Source: E-mail interview: 2014 Iowa Senate race with OnTheIssues.org Sep 17, 2014

Doug Butzier: Declaration's "All men are created equal" applies to gays

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?

A: Absolutely. The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states it pretty clearly; "All men are created equal." If you favor discrimination against one group for behaviors that you don't approve of, what's to stop another group from discriminating against you for a behavior they don't approve of?

Source: E-mail interview: 2014 Iowa Senate race with OnTheIssues.org Sep 17, 2014

Eddie Mauro: Pass a 21st century Equal Rights Amendment

I will call for hearings on a new Equal Rights Amendment to extend civil rights protections to women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This ERA will extend protections under the Constitution to those who face discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website EddieMauro.com Feb 10, 2020

Fred Hubbell: Proud of Iowa's equal protection for same-sex couples

When asked to explain her stance on same-sex marriage, Gov. Kim Reynolds replied, "I think that's been determined," a reference to the state and federal court rulings on the issue. When pressed again on the question, she said that people have traditional views on what they believe marriage consists of, and they have every right to have those views, but that the issue has been decided by the courts.

Reynolds also said that a vote of the people on the issue would stop "this back and forth" debate over the matter. She did not say when or how that vote should take place.

Reynolds' press secretary clarified the governor's comments after the news conference, saying: "The governor believes that this issue is settled."

Fred Hubbell, Iowa's Democratic nominee for governor, supports same-sex marriage. "Fred is proud that Iowa's Supreme Court led the way in defining equal protection, affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court," said a Hubbell aide.

Source: Des Moines Register on 2018 Iowa gubernatorial race Jun 12, 2018

George W. Bush: Ten Commandments OK in schools for "inherent values"

Q: Does posting the Ten Commandments in schools invalidate the religious expression of children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage?
A: "Thou shalt not kill" is pretty universal. Districts ought to be allowed to post the Ten Commandments, no matter what a person's religion is. There's some inherent values in those great commandments that would make our society a better place for everybody. I also believe our schools ought to expand character education.
Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

George W. Bush: Respect Spanish heritage, but conduct government in English

KEYES [to Bush]: [A Texas town] passed an ordinance saying that all business is to be conducted in the Spanish language. A lot of us look at that sort of thing as an assault on our linguistic unity that is dangerous to the future union of this country. What action do you plan to take to show the people that you stand for one nation, one language rather than a nation linguistically divided?

BUSH: No es la verdad.

KEYES: Es la verdad, se¤or.

BUSH: One, I expressed concern about it-I don't want this town's business being conducted in Spanish, it ought to be conducted in English. Secondly, I've talked to [Texas'] attorney general to make sure that this town was conforming to all the laws of Texas.
I'm for what's called English Plus. English is the great language that provides freedom and opportunity. Plus we respect other people's heritage in this country.

Source: (x-ref from Keyes) GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

Howard Dean: No people of color in Dean's cabinet-because so few in VT

Q: How you can explain not one black or brown working for your administration as governor?

DEAN: We do have African-American & Latino workers in state government.

SHARPTON: I said under your administration. Do you have a senior member of your cabinet that was black or brown?

DEAN: We had a senior member of my staff on my 5th floor.

SHARPTON: No, your cabinet.

DEAN: No, we did not. [But the cabinet has only] six members.

SHARPTON: Then you need to let me talk to you about race in this country.

DEAN: If the percentage of African-Americans in your state was any indication of what your views on race were, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King.

SHARPTON: But I don't think that that answers the question. If you want to lecture people on race, you ought to have the background and track record in order to do that. Governors import talent. Governors reach all over the country to make sure they have diversity

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Howard Dean: Confederate flag is a painful symbol to Blacks

Q: Is the Confederate flag an acceptable symbol of anything to an American?

DEAN: The Confederate flag is a painful symbol to African-Americans in this country because of what it represented. When we campaign, we've got to talk. They say race in the South or anyplace else in America, we've got to say jobs, because everybody needs a job, doesn't matter what color they are or where they come from. We need to talk about the things that everybody needs: jobs, education & health care.

SHARPTON: Blacks in South Carolina are double unemployed to whites. We can't use a class formula to go around that issue. Secondly, just having conversations with whites without real legislation, without real executive action is to trivialize our problems. We don't need people talking to whites. We need people to do something about racism and about discrimination. Don't reduce this to a coffee shop conversation. We need action. And a president leads, like Lyndon Johnson did. They don't just have a conversation.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Howard Dean: Understand the plight of minorities

Q: What is the biggest challenge that's facing America's minority communities right now? : The biggest challenge is to help white audiences understand the plight of minority populations when it comes to race. We have to talk to the folks in this country who do the hiring because there are unconscious biases. Political leaders need to talk not just in terms of civil rights but in terms of overcoming the unconscious bias that every since American has toward hiring people that are like themselves.
Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Jack Hatch: Supports civil unions and same-sex marriage

Q: Should Iowa recognize civil unions between same-sex couples??

A: Yes.

Q: Should Iowa restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman??

A: No.

Source: 2002 Iowa Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2002

Jack Hatch: Affirmative action in state college & state contracts

Q: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on college and university admissions?

A: Yes.

Q: Public employment?

A: Yes.

Q: State contracting?

A: Yes.

Source: 2002 Iowa Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2002

Jake Porter: Strongly supports same-sex marriage

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?

A: Strongly support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Iowa Governor candidate May 18, 2018

Jim Carlin: Introduced "bathroom bill" against transgender students

This session Carlin also introduced a so-called "bathroom bill" that mandates schools only allow students to use bathrooms that correspond to the sex listed on their birth certificate. And he is the author of a bill that would require the Board of Regents to report on the political party affiliation of everyone employed by Iowa's three public universities.
Source: Little Village e-zine on 2022 Iowa Senate race Feb 16, 2021

Jim Gilmore: I don't want to be part of an anti-Muslim GOP

I have met with Muslims. They told me some terrible stories about how they have been harassed and their children have seen them be harassed. We cannot have a Republican party that scapegoats anyone, Hispanics, Muslims, any women, African Americans, anyone. If that becomes the future of the Republican party, I don't want to be a part of that.
Source: 2016 Fox News Republican Undercard debate in Iowa Jan 28, 2016

John Edwards: Economic and educational equality are needed

Q: Is the Confederate flag an acceptable symbol of anything to an American?

A: The things I have seen growing up -- segregation, discrimination -- are a part of everything I am today. We still live in two Americas, and we should be willing to tell the American people that. We have two economies. We have two tax systems. Until we have economic and educational equality in America, we're never going to be able to do things we need to do for African-Americans.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

John Edwards: Fund the Help America Vote Act

Q: What will you do to assure elections officials that the federal government is committed to making the Help America Vote Act work as Congress intended?

A: What I'll do as president is, first of all, fund the legislation, and second, make sure that every single person in America gets a chance to be on a voter registration roll and that they get a chance to vote no matter what the level of the community that they live in. We need to make sure everybody gets an opportunity to both register and vote.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

John McCain: Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools

Q: Does posting the Ten Commandments in schools invalidate the religious expression of children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage?
A: We begin our proceedings every day in the US Senate with a prayer. Now, it doesn't have the beneficial effect that some desire, but it seems to be acceptable for the Senate to do that. Virtues [like telling the truth are] exemplified in the Ten Commandments. They could be and should be taught in every school in America.
Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

Jon Huntsman: I believe in traditional marriage but also civil unions

Q: Your GOP opponents support traditional marriage. You support civil unions?

A: I believe in traditional marriage first and foremost. I've been married 28 years, with 7 terrific kids. But I also believe in civil unions. Because I think this nation can do a better job when it comes to equality. And I think this nation can do a better job when it comes to reciprocal beneficiary rights. And I believe that this is something that ought to be discussed among the various states. I don't have any problem with states having this discussion. But as for me, I support civil unions.

Q: So why are your GOP opponents wrong?

A: They are not wrong. All I'm saying is this ought to be an issue that takes place at the local level of government, that's where these decisions ought to be made. I believe in traditional marriage. But I also believe that subordinate to that we haven't done an adequate job when it comes to equality. That is just my personal belief. Everyone is entitled to their personal belief too.

Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa Aug 11, 2011

Joni Ernst: Marriage is a religious institution: one man and one woman

Protecting Traditional Marriage: As a Christian, Joni strongly believes marriage is a religious institution, defined as a union between one man and one woman. She has already shown herself to be a defender of traditional marriage on the floor of the Iowa Senate.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, JoniForIowa.com, "Issues" Sep 9, 2013

Joni Ernst: Endorsed by RightNOW Women PAC to escape "war on women"

State Sen. Joni Ernst received the endorsement of RightNOW Women PAC on Tuesday. RightNOW was created by a former aide to George W. Bush, and was launched earlier this year to recruit young women to get involved in the Republican Party.

Republicans of all stripes have been working to attract more women to their ranks and escape the "war on women" narrative that Democrats successfully used against them in 2012.

Source: Washington Post on 2014 Iowa Senate race Mar 11, 2014

Joni Ernst: Government shouldn't redefine marriage

Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Ernst: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Iowa Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Joni Ernst: Federal ban ok, but leave same-sex marriage to states

Ernst says she thinks the legality of same-sex marriage should be left up to the states--but would still support a federal ban on gay marriage if one were proposed.

During Thursday's Republican debate, the candidates vying for the GOP nomination were asked for their take on same-sex marriage. "I do believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, and I also believe that this is a state's right. And I have a record of this here in the state of Iowa," she said. "It is up to the people to make that decision, so allow the states to make that decision."

Ernst noted her work on a bill in the Iowa state Senate authorizing a vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state. Ernst was one of the bill's co-sponsors. But despite her support for the right of the people "to make that decision," she said she would back a federal constitutional amendment barring gays and lesbians from getting married. "If it would come up at the federal level, I would support it," she said.

Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Iowa Senate race May 29, 2014

Joseph Lieberman: Allow driver's license for immigrants

Q: Would you allow driver's license for immigrants?

A: Yes, I absolutely would. And I would because it is obviously better for those immigrants and for the rest of America that they be driving with a license instead of without a license. And if they have a license, they are more likely to be driving with insurance. So it makes no sense to me to punitively deprive them of that opportunity.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Joseph Lieberman: Support reparation legislations

Q: Would you propose or back legislation in support of reparations?

A: When Congressman Conyers introduced that legislation, I thought it was a good idea and I would support it. We ought to bring that out again and talk about it, and then talk about what we can do about it. This is going to be more future-oriented in terms of response, to turn around some of the abandonment of people that's gone on under this Bush administration -- fully fund education, raise people up in that way.

Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Jan 11, 2004

Kimberly Graham: Support federal anti-discrimination law for LGBTQ

Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website, KimberlyForIowa.com Jan 12, 2020

Kim Reynolds: Voters should decide gay marriage, not the courts

On gay marriage, Reynolds said Iowa voters, not the state's Supreme Court, should make the decision about its legality in the Hawkeye State. How has gay marriage hurt Iowa so far? How have homosexuals who are married hurt this state? What are they doing to Iowa that's troubling to Reynolds?

"I believe that the definition of marriage is between one man and one woman from a religious aspect," Reynolds said. "That is my belief. I have stated that. I always have believed that."

That considered, Reynolds said she would be open to the idea of civil unions for gay couples. "We could take a look at civil unions," Reynolds said. "There are other options maybe that I would be in favor of looking at." She added, "They can do civil unions. I think they can get to some of the same place that they want to look at."

Source: Daily Times Herald (Carroll) on 2018 Iowa gubernatorial race Nov 1, 2010

Kim Reynolds: Same-sex marriage issue is now settled law

Reynolds says the issue of same-sex marriage is settled and she isn't obligated to abide by proposals in her state party's platform that favor limiting marriage to one man and one woman, as 1,800 delegates to the Republican Party of Iowa's state convention gather. The convention's proposed platform includes two planks in opposition to same-sex marriage:
  1. "We believe that traditional two parent (one male and one female), marriage-based families are the foundation to a stable, enduring, and healthy civilization. Therefore, public policy must always be pro-family in nature, encouraging marital and family commitment, and support of the parental rights and responsibilities."
  2. "We encourage the repeal of any laws allowing marriage that is not between one natural man and one natural woman."
Reynolds told reporters that the Republican Party's platform is a grassroots document that the state's Republicans work on, but it is not something that every candidate has to abide by.
Source: Des Moines Register on 2018 Iowa gubernatorial race Jun 12, 2018

Kimberly Graham: End the sub-minimum wage for individuals with disabilities

Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website, KimberlyForIowa.com Jan 12, 2020

Kimberly Graham: Expand tribal jurisdiction over sexual assault cases

Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website, KimberlyForIowa.com Jan 12, 2020

Marco Battaglia: Strongly supports same-sex marriage

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Iowa Governor candidate May 13, 2018

Marco Rubio: One-man-one-woman marriage existed before our laws

Several GOP candidates tried to outdo one another on who could speak out most strongly against a right to gay marriage. "Marriage as an institution existed before even government itself," declared Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, at the Faith & Freedom Summit, at which nine likely presidential candidates spoke. "The institution of marriage as between one man and one woman existed even before our laws existed."
Source: Politico.com on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 26, 2015

Matthew Whitaker: My faith requires me to support traditional marriage

Ernst reiterated that she was for traditional marriage between one man and one woman. She reminded the audience that she was a co-sponsor for the Marriage amendment in the Iowa Senate.

Whitaker also said he was for traditional marriage. He took a shot at Schaben saying that he disagreed with him, and that his faith does not allow him to hold that position. "If we start saying there are more important things than life and marriage we might as well elect a Democrat," Whitaker stated.

Source: CaffeinatedThoughts blog on 2014 Iowa Senate primary debate Oct 24, 2013

Michael Franken: Ignored "Don't Ask Don't Tell" as admiral; protected sailors

Admiral Mike's support for the LGBTQ+ community in public policy started when he ignored Don't Ask, Don't Tell and protected sailors who trusted him. Mike supports strict federal guidelines against bullying in schools, tied to federal funding. He fully endorses a federal ban on conversion therapy. LGBTQ+ Americans should enjoy the full menu of access available--that means ending discrimination and ensuring equal access to housing, employment, and adoption.
Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website FrankenForIowa.org May 27, 2020

Michele Bachmann: I support federal AND state marriage amendments

SANTORUM: [to Bachmann]: We can't have 50 marriage laws. This was the approach that the left took on abortion, which is to pick a few states, and then go to the Supreme Court and say "equal protection," then you will have at the Supreme Court deciding what marriage is in this country. You have to fight in each state. And there's where I disagree with Rick Perry, I disagree with Michele Bachmann. I will come to the states and fight to make sure this strategy of picking off a state here and there does not be successful in transforming marriage.

BACHMANN: I support the federal marriage amendment, because I believe that we will see this issue at the Supreme Court someday. And as president, I will not nominate activist judges who legislate from the bench. I also want to say, when I was in Minnesota, I was the chief author of the constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man, one woman. I have an absolutely unblemished record when it comes to this issue of man-woman marriage.

Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa Aug 11, 2011

Mike Huckabee: Same-sex marriage leads to criminalization of Christianity

The United States is moving toward "criminalization of Christianity" as a result of legalizing same-sex marriage, Mike Huckabee told a group of conservative pastors: "We are moving rapidly toward the criminalization of Christianity."

The former governor of Arkansas said it is his "biblical duty" to pray for the members of the Supreme Court as they prepare to rule on same-sex marriage this summer.

"If the courts rule that people have a civil right not only to be a homosexual but a civil right to have a homosexual marriage, then a homosexual couple coming to a pastor who believes in biblical marriage who says 'I can't perform that wedding' will now be breaking the law," he said. "Let me make clear: It's not just saying, 'I'm sorry you have a preference.' No, you will be breaking the law subject to civil, for sure, and possibly criminal penalties for violating the law, depending on how the law is written in communities, states and in the nation."

Source: Politico.com on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 24, 2015

Mike Huckabee: Courts cannot unilaterally allow same-sex marriage

In an apparent defense of gay conversion therapy, Huckabee said that the government is telling chaplains that they cannot help people "seek assistance" for a "homosexual lifestyle" and to "put their Bibles away, no longer pray in Jesus' name." Huckabee told [an audience of] pastors that opponents of gay marriage are "pariahs" among the "ruling class" and donors.

Huckabee said that he cringes whenever he hears people call a court decision "the law of the land." He said, "how many people passed 9th grade civics? There are three branches of government, not one," adding that when a court rules in favor of same-sex marriage, that does not mean that licenses should be issued the following day.

Huckabee told the pastors that if they do follow their convictions according to the Bible, "your behavior will be criminal. Once the courts have been allowed to run over us and nobody stands up for us in the other two branches of government, then God help us all," he said

Source: Politico.com on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 24, 2015

Mitt Romney: No longer calls Giuliani pro-choice & pro-gay & anti-gun

Q: [to Romney]: You have been drawing contrasts with Mayor Giuliani during this campaign, such as this interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network this spring:
(BEGIN VIDEO)
ROMNEY: He is pro-choice & pro-gay marriage & anti-gun, and that's a tough combination in a Republican primary.
(END VIDEO)
Q: Do you stand by that?

ROMNEY: That was very early in the process, in March. He wasn't a candidate yet. I think I have a better perspective on his views now. I'd rather let him speak for his own positions. I can tell you that I am pro-life and that I'm opposed to same-sex marriage, and I support the Second Amendment.

GIULIANI: The reality is that I support the Second Amendment. I clearly believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, although I did support domestic partnerships and still do. And [we should] put our emphasis on reducing abortions & increasing the number of adoptions

Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate Aug 5, 2007

Mitt Romney: Federal definition of marriage as one-man-one-woman

Q: When Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in 2003, you accused MA justices of assuming for themselves the powers that should belong to the state legislature. What about the New York state legislature legalizing gay marriage?

A: I'd far prefer having the representatives of the people make that decision than justices. But I believe the issue of marriage should be decided at the federal level. People move from state to state; they have children. If one state recognizes a marriage and the other does not, what's the right of that child? What kind of divorce proceeding would there be in a state that didn't recognize a marriage in the first place? Marriage is not an activity that goes on within the walls of a state. Marriage's status should be constant across the country. I believe we should have a federal amendment in the constitution that defines marriage as a relationship between a man and woman, because I believe the ideal place to raise a child is in a home with a mom and a dad.

Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa Aug 11, 2011

Nate Boulton: Defended LGBTQ nonprofit Iowa Safe Schools

Under Republican leadership, Iowa has taken steps backwards regarding civil rights. Governor Reynolds has said that LGBTQ+ issues are a matter of local control, putting the rights of LGBTQ+ Iowans in danger.

Nate has consistently fought to protect Iowans' civil rights. When Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ nonprofit advocacy group was attacked by legislators at the Capitol, Nate volunteered legal services and stood up to defend the organization as an attorney. As Governor, Nate would fight to ban conversion therapy and work to ensure that every child, no matter their sexual orientation, can go to school free from harassment and bullying.

Iowans should be proud of our state's legacy of advancing civil rights, and we should honor that legacy by continuing to advance the rights of all Iowans.

Source: 2018 Iowa Governor campaign website BoultonForIowa.com Mar 21, 2018

Newt Gingrich: Loyalty test for everyone, not just for Muslims

Q: You've said you would impose a loyalty test for Muslims to serve in your administration. You said, "We did this in dealing with the Nazis, and we did this in dealing with the communists." What specific loyalty test would you require them to take?

GINGRICH: Actually, I didn't describe it as applied to Muslims. I described it as applied to everybody. There is nothing illegitimate about seeking to make sure that people are loyal to the US if they work for the government of the US. I was responding to this insane moment [in a trial of] the guy who built the car bomb from Pakistan, was asked by the judge, who said to him, "But you swore an oath of loyalty to the US." And he said to the judge, "I am your enemy. I lied." The judge seemed mystified at the idea that somebody would have lied. And my point is, we now know there really were communist spies. And I would suggest to you we need security provisions across the board to ensure that those Americans and the American government are loyal to the US.

Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa Aug 11, 2011

Orrin Hatch: Founders avoided "national church," not Ten Commandments

Q: Does posting the Ten Commandments in schools invalidate the religious expression of children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage? A: Almost anybody would say the Ten Commandments applies universally. You don't have to be a Christian to have it apply. It applies to Jewish people. The Muslims treat Moses as a great prophet. We should not be so doggone sensitive. The founding fathers were concerned that they would develop a national church, not that we might have the best principles on earth.
Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

Orrin Hatch: Amendments for school prayer & flag protection

I'd have a silent prayer reflection constitutional amendment that would give kids a moment of silent prayer reflection at the beginning of every school day so they can at least think there might be somebody higher than they are. I'd pass a flag amendment that would protect our flag from people urinating on it, defecating on it, tearing it and burning it with contempt. I'd do a lot of things to get rid of the partial-birth abortion procedure in our country that has no justification at all. It's barbaric.
Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

Pat Murphy: Fought gay marriage ban; protect LGBT Iowans

A Champion for Equality: As Speaker of the Iowa House, Pat defied the odds by passing an historic expansion of civil rights to protect LGBT Iowans. He also blocked all efforts to legislate discrimination through amendments to the Iowa Constitution banning gay marriage. He opposed laws that would make it harder for seniors and minorities to vote, and voted to crack down on bullying in Iowa schools. In Congress, Pat will continue to be a strong advocate of equality for all Iowans.
Source: 2014 Iowa House campaign website, PatMurphyForIowa.com Oct 10, 2014

Patty Judge: Strong advocate for LGBTQ rights

Patty has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights. As Lt. Governor, she advocated for an updated civil rights code to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. As a United States Senator she will work to ensure that the rights of all Americans are protected and work to pass the Employee Nondiscrimination Act.
Source: 2016 Iowa Senate campaign website PattyJudgeForIowa.com Aug 8, 2016

Patty Judge: Take action to end gender discrimination in pay

Patty believes we need to take action to end gender discrimination in pay to ensure that men and women are receiving equal pay for equal work.
Source: 2016 Iowa Senate campaign website PattyJudgeForIowa.com Aug 8, 2016

Pete Buttigieg: Campaign co-chaired by member of Congressional Black Caucus

The black voters who know me best are supporting me. It's why I have the most support in South Bend. Nationally, I am proud that my campaign is co-chaired by a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and to have support right here in Iowa from some of the most recognizable black elected leaders, from Mayor Hart of Waterloo to former Representative Berry in Black Hawk County. Now, the biggest mistake we could make is to take black votes for granted. I never will.
Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus Jan 14, 2020

Republican Party: Define marriage as one natural man and one natural woman

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled in 2009 that same-sex marriage must be legally recognized in a decision that made Iowa one of the first states in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the U.S. Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage.

1,800 delegates to the Republican Party of Iowa's state convention are preparing to meet in Des Moines. The convention's proposed platform includes two planks in opposition to same-sex marriage.

  1. "We believe that traditional two parent (one male and one female), marriage-based families are the foundation to a stable, enduring, and healthy civilization. Therefore, public policy must always be pro-family in nature, encouraging marital and family commitment, and support of the parental rights and responsibilities."
  2. "We encourage the repeal of any laws allowing marriage that is not between one natural man and one natural woman."
Source: Des Moines Register on 2018 Iowa gubernatorial race Jun 12, 2018

Rick Santorum: No polygamy; no gay marriage

Q: [to Paul]: If a state wanted to allow polygamy, would that be okay, like gay marriage?

PAUL: No state is going to do that. Really, why do we have to have a license to get married? Just so nobody else forces their definition of marriage on you.

SANTORUM: It sounds to me like Rep. Paul would actually say polygamous marriages are OK. If the state has the right to do it, they have the right to do it. It is not beyond reality; it is exactly what's being offered in other states right now. And it's being litigated in our courts right now, which is exactly how gay marriage came about as we see here in Iowa where seven justices forced gay marriages on the people of Iowa. We can't have 50 marriage laws. This was the approach that the left took on abortion, which is to pick a few states, pick a few courts and then go to the Supreme Court and say "equal protection," you can't have different state laws then you will have nine people up at the Supreme Court deciding what marriage is in this country.

Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa Aug 11, 2011

Rick Santorum: I would never attend a same-sex wedding

Rick Santorum said he would never attend a same-sex wedding. Marco Rubio said he might attend one. Scott Walker actually went to a same-sex wedding reception, not to be confused with an actual same-sex wedding ceremony. Ted Cruz said he is firmly opposed to gay marriage, but would be comfortable if his daughter were gay.

The more conservative members of this Republican field--among them Cruz; Santorum; and Bobby Jindal--have aggressively emphasized their opposition to same-sex marriage. For them, the issue can be used to differentiate themselves not just from Democrats but from mainstream Republicans, like Jeb Bush, who is trying to appeal to a broader audience with an eye to the general election.

Support for same-sex marriage is increasing among Republican voters, but it is still a minority view. That creates a split between conservative Republicans looking to win a primary, and candidates seeking to win a primary without carrying too much baggage into a general election.

Source: N.Y. Times on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 26, 2015

Ron Paul: No federal marriage licenses & no state licenses either

Q: You've often said you believe defining marriage is a job that should be left to the states. Recently Sen. Santorum asked if a state wanted to allow polygamy, would that be okay too?

PAUL: That is sort of like asking the question if the states wante to legalize slavery or something like that. No state is going to do that. I think marriage should be between a single man and a single woman. And the federal government shouldn't be involved. I want less government involvement. I don't want the federal government having a marriage police. I want the states to deal with it. Really, why do we have to have a license to get married? Why don't we just go to the church? What other individuals do, why can't we permit them to do whatever they call it that is their problem not mine? Just so nobody else forces their definition of marriage on you. That is what we have to prevent. So I would say less government would be better if you have to have regulations let the state governments do it.

Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa Aug 11, 2011

Roxanne Conlin: 1970s: Discrimination on basis of pregnancy made illegal

Throughout my professional life, in every way possible, I have tried to assure that women and girls are treated equally and fairly. I drafted the first law in the nation that protected the privacy of rape victims. In the 1970s, teachers and other women workers lost their jobs simply because they were pregnant. I took a case to the Iowa Supreme Court; [they found] that discrimination on the basis of pregnancy was illegal and to ensure that women could no longer get fired because they were pregnant.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.RoxanneForIowa, "Issues" Jul 20, 2010

Roxanne Conlin: Pass Paycheck Fairness Act to close gender pay gap

In January 2009, the House approved the Paycheck Fairness Act, a measure that would help close the yawning pay gap between men and women which still exists by, among other things, making stronger remedies available under the existing Equal Pay Act, protecting employees from retaliation, and ensuring that courts require employers to show that wage disparities are job-related, not sex-based, & consistent with business needs. It is time for the Senate to stop dawdling & approve this much needed law.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.RoxanneForIowa, "Issues" Jul 20, 2010

Roxanne Conlin: Supports marriage equality for same-sex couples

I will continue to work for equal rights for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation or condition of disability as I have done in both the public and private practice of law for four decades.

I am proud of Iowa's historic leadership on equal rights for all of our citizens. I proudly signed an amicus brief in support of marriage equality in Iowa's landmark Varnum v. Brien case.

Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.RoxanneForIowa, "Issues" Jul 20, 2010

Roxanne Conlin: No 2nd-class citizens: repeal DOMA and Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell

Conlin promises she'd vote to repeal two federal policies that she argues infringe upon the rights of gay Americans. "[Grassley] wants members of the LGBT community to be second-class citizens," Conlin said.

Conlin got sustained applause from the crow at the Iowa Democratic Party's weekend fundraiser when she made these vows: "If you sent me to Washington, I will fight to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; I will fight to repeal DOMA and I will fight to end discrimination in employment."

As for the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Grassley argues Congress should wait for a Defense Department study before voting to end it. "I think that congress ought to have that information before we vote," Grassley said. "And so I'm going to wait until that study comes out at the end of the year because I don't want to do anything with a program that has worked good for 18 years and has allowed the military to carry out its mission to make it more difficult for a combat organization to do its mission."

Source: Radio Iowa coverage of 2010 Iowa Senate Debate Oct 19, 2010

Rudy Giuliani: Supports domestic partnerships, but not same-sex marriage

Q: [to Romney]: You have been drawing contrasts with Mayor Giuliani during this campaign, such as this interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network this spring:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROMNEY: He is pro-choice and pro-gay marriage and anti-gun, and that's a tough combination in a Republican primary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Q: Do you stand by that?

ROMNEY: That was very early in the process, in March. He wasn't a candidate yet. I think I have a better perspective on his views now.

GIULIANI: The reality is that I support the Second Amendment. I clearly believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, although I did support domestic partnerships and still do, a contractual relationship. And [we should] put our emphasis on reducing abortions & increasing the number of adoptions

Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate Aug 5, 2007

Sam Clovis: Family begins with one man and one woman

One of the four pillars of American strength is the traditional, nuclear family. That family begins with one man and one woman brought together in holy matrimony and from this union should come the children that fill out the family unit. This model works and clearly provides the strongest economic, social and psychological base for this most important building block of society.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, Iowans4SamClovis.com, "Issues" Nov 11, 2013

Sam Clovis: Government shouldn't redefine marriage

Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Clovis: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Iowa Senate race Jul 2, 2014

Scott Walker: Constitutional amendment to prevent federal gay marriage

Several GOP candidates tried to outdo one another on who could speak out most strongly against a right to gay marriage. Scott Walker noted that he voted for Wisconsin's constitutional ban and defended it through the judicial process, until the Supreme Court refused to review a lower court ruling that his state issue marriage licenses to gay couples. "Let me be clear, I believe marriage is between one man and one woman," the Wisconsin governor said. "I still hold out hope that the Supreme Court will rule, as has been the tradition in the past, that the states are the places that get to define what marriage is. If for some reason they don't, I believe it's reasonable for the people of America to consider a constitutional amendment that would affirm the ability of states to do just that."
Source: Politico.com on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 26, 2015

Steve Forbes: Ten Commandments & prayer in schools

Q: How do you post the Ten Commandments in schools without telling children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage that their form of religious expression is invalid? A: There's nothing wrong with posting the Ten Commandments in our schools today, because they are the basis of Western civilization. Also, when you look to what's happened in the last 40 years to the quality of life in this country, when prayer was barred from school, I think it's fitting and proper that we have voluntary prayer.
Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000

Ted Cruz: Zealotry on same-sex marriage leaves out religious liberty

Cruz said same-sex marriage had produced rabid zealotry in Democratic ranks. This ideology, he argued, was excluding people of faith: "Today's Democratic Party has become so radicalized for legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states that there is no longer any room for religious liberty," he said.

The Texas lawmaker said this stance was against America's traditional values. Religious liberty, Cruz claimed, was one of the nation's founding principles. "We were founded by men and women fleeing religious persecution," Cruz declared.

Cruz, a long-time opponent of same-sex marriage, seemingly softened his tone on gay rights earlier this week. The White House hopeful reportedly said Monday evening he would still accept one of his daughters if they became a lesbian.

Source: TheHill weblog on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 25, 2015

Ted Cruz: Pray against a court decision legalizing same-sex marriage

Rick Santorum said he would never attend a same-sex wedding. Marco Rubio said he might attend one. Scott Walker actually went to a same-sex wedding reception, not to be confused with an actual same-sex wedding ceremony. Ted Cruz said he is firmly opposed to gay marriage, but would be comfortable if his daughter were gay.

The more conservative members of this Republican field--among them Sen. Cruz; Sen. Santorum; Gov. Bobby Jindal; and Gov. Mike Huckabee--have aggressively emphasized their opposition to same-sex marriage. For them, the issue can be used to differentiate themselves not just from Democrats but from mainstream Republicans, like Jeb Bush, who is trying to appeal to a broader audience with an eye to the general election.

Cruz said advocates of traditional marriage should "fall to our knees and pray" against a court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

Source: N.Y. Times on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 26, 2015

Ted Cruz: Liberals obsessed with mandatory gay marriage in 50 states

Ted Cruz has taken heat for appearing at a fundraiser at the home of two openly gay men. At that private event, he was asked how he would react if he found out one of his daughters was gay, and he said he would love her unconditionally.

Cruz vigorously defended his appearance at the fundraiser, stressing that it was primarily a pro-Israel fundraiser. "Unfortunately, our good friends in the press caricature support for traditional marriage in terms of animus," he said. "The only explanation that makes sense to reporters is that anyone who supports traditional marriage must be somehow motivated by hatred for those who are homosexuals. It's why this story seems so puzzling to the media."

Cruz said he is concerned that women like the owner of an Indiana pizzeria will suffer because they oppose gay marriage. "Scripture commands us to love everyone, & that ought to be a standard that applies across the board," he said. Cruz said liberals are obsessed with "mandatory gay marriage in all 50 states."

Source: Politico.com on 2015 Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition summit Apr 26, 2015

Theresa Greenfield: Supports Equality Act prohibiting discrimination

Theresa is proud to stand with her LGBTQ+ family and friends, and she will work toward equal rights for all Iowans. She has spent much of her professional life working in small businesses, and has seen firsthand the strength that comes from a diverse and inclusive workplace. In the Senate, Theresa would proudly support legislation like the Equality Act that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website GreenfieldForIowa.com Jun 2, 2020

Theresa Greenfield: Seeing systemic racism is not saying all cops are racists

Ernst: Theresa Greenfield has stated that our law enforcement system is systemically racist, meaning that our law enforcement officers are racist. I don't believe that. I do feel that we need to work more in our communities of color. I think that's really important.

Greenfield: We have systemic racism in all of our systems and have for generations, including our policing system. But that is not saying that our police officers are racist. We need to work together like we did in this state to pass the plan where we attack this kind of racism, requiring racial bias training, requiring de-escalation training, banning chokeholds and so many other things.

Source: Iowa Public Television transcript of 2020 Iowa Senate debate Sep 28, 2020

Theresa Greenfield: Supports Equality Act

Q: Position on LGBTQ Rights?

Theresa Greenfield: Supports Equality Act, to "prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation."

Joni Ernst: No recent position found. Saw marriage as "between one man and one woman." Would support constitutional ban.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Iowa Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Tom Hoefling: Government shouldn't redefine marriage

Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Hoefling: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2013 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign Jul 2, 2014

Tom Vilsack: Appointed judges who said yes to gay marriage

Former Iowa Governor and current Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack praised the establishment of same-sex marriage in his state -- but stopped just short of endorsing it nationwide. "I appointed the judges -- most of the judges -- that made that decision. I think it was a good decision," Vilsack said about the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage in his state -- and provoked a furious conservative backlash and recalls of several of the justices involved.
Source: 2016 Veepstakes: Politico.com, "Gay Marriage in Iowa" Jan 23, 2015

Asa Hutchinson: Fought Obama order requiring gender neutral bathrooms

[On school bathrooms]: "The Department of Education sent out notice, not to the governors but to the school superintendents directly, saying you had to open up transgender bathrooms or make them open to both genders," Hutchinson said. "Well, I immediately sent out word to all of our schools saying please ignore the president of the United States. Please ignore the Department of Education. They had no authority to do that and we pushed back on it. We were successful."
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch on 2023 Faith & Freedom Coalition Apr 22, 2023

Perry Johnson: Transition therapy for minors is child abuse

[On federal priorities]: "Number one, I want to start a program where we balance the budget to stop inflation. Number two, never again will we allow transition therapy for minors. It is child abuse," [Perry] Johnson said. "Number three, you may not like this, but I'm getting rid of the Department of Education. And I know you guys are gonna throw stones at me, but I disagree with our Vice President about Ukraine. I think it's ridiculous to send $100 million to the Ukraine."
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch on 2023 Faith & Freedom Coalition Apr 22, 2023

Vivek Ramaswamy: End affirmative action & Department of Education

Ramaswamy, an Ohio businessman, emphasized his youth and the need to change the culture of today's young people, touting his achievement as the first millennial Republican presidential candidate. He also said he would end affirmative action and get rid of the Department of Education. "I think young people in this country can learn that hardship is part of what helps us discover who we really are," Ramaswamy said.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch on 2023 Faith & Freedom Coalition Apr 22, 2023

Nikki Haley: Transgender women in sports is "women's issue of our time"

Haley said that transgender women participating in women's sports is "the women's issue of our time." She said transgender women--being "glorified" on social media and participating in sports events--were putting cisgender women and girls at risk. She specifically criticized the prominence of transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who was recently sponsored by Bud Light.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch on 2024 Presidential hopefuls May 4, 2023

Nikki Haley: Everybody associates the Civil War with slavery

Q: You were asked to explain the cause of the Civil War. [Haley said, "I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run--the freedoms and what people could and couldn't do," NBC News, 12/28/23]. You obviously did not mention slavery. And afterwards, you said that was the mistake. In fact, it should have been the first thing that you said.

HALEY: If you grow up in South Carolina, literally in second and third grade, you learn about slavery. You grow up and you have -- you know, I had Black friends growing up. It is a very talked-about thing. We have a big history in South Carolina when it comes to, you know, slavery, when it comes to all the things that happened with the Civil War, all that. I was thinking past slavery and talking about the lesson that we would learn going forward. I shouldn't have done that. I should have said 'slavery.' But in my mind, that's a given, that everybody associates the Civil War with slavery.

Source: CNN Town Hall 2024 pre-Iowa caucus Jan 4, 2024

Ashley Hinson: Voted for Respect for Marriage Act codifying gay marriage

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 267 to 157 on Tuesday to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996 and to codify same-sex marriage in federal law. "I voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that respects and maintains settled law. Now, Democrats need to focus on policies that will help families: lowering costs for groceries and gas, securing our border to keep our communities safe, and getting our economy working again," Hinson said in a released statement.
Source: Iowa Torch on 2026 Iowa Senate race Jul 21, 2022

Bill Cassidy: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Louisiana Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Cindy Hyde-Smith: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Mississippi Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Cynthia Lummis: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Wyoming Senate race Aug 8, 2024

J.D. Scholten: Can't grow economy when going after marginalized community

Scholten said civil rights are being taken away from Iowans. "They're really going after the marginalized community. At the end of the day, does that make Iowa a more welcoming place," said Scholten. "We have a workforce shortage. How are we going to grow as an economy when republicans are just focused on going after the marginalized community." Scholten said the definitions the Capitol used to define DEI were loose and universities are unsure about what they can and can't do.
Source: KTIV "DEI & CRT" on 2026 Iowa Senate race Mar 22, 2025

Jim Carlin: Poll university faculty for their political affiliations

Sen. Jim Carlin said that he was "viciously attacked" after he introduced the bill to poll university faculty of their political affiliations, and that measures like that are necessary in ensuring a university is fostering free speech. Carlin also brought up an incident with a University of Iowa College of Dentistry student who faced possible disciplinary action after he hit "reply all" on a college-wide email that condemned Trump's executive order on DEI training.
Source: Daily Iowan on 2026 Iowa Senate race Mar 9, 2021

Jim Risch: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Idaho Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Joni Ernst: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Iowa Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Josh Hawley: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Missouri Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Kevin Cramer: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 North Dakota Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Marco Rubio: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2024-2025 Trump Transition Aug 8, 2024

Marsha Blackburn: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Tennessee Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Mike Braun: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2024 Indiana Gubernatorial race Aug 8, 2024

Peter Ricketts: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Nebraska Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Randy Feenstra: Voted against Respect for Marriage Act

[On "Respect for Marriage Act"]: "The threat to religious liberty and our Constitution. Our churches and non-profits would be open to frivolous lawsuits through the bill that was passed. Obviously, my faith teaches me that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. But also, I believe, that we must protect our 1st Amendment rights, and our religious freedoms, and freedoms for every American. And that's why I voted 'no' on the bill."
Source: Raccoon Valley Radio on 2026 Iowa Gubernatorial race Dec 19, 2022

Rick Scott: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Florida Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Rob Sand: Yes to LGBTQ+ rights; no to transwomen in women's sports

Sand is about a month into his campaign and is facing some backlash from the transgender community over his response to a question on the Simon Conway radio show. Conway asked Sand if he believed biological males should be allowed to compete in women's sports. Sand replied with a simple no. However, Sand has backed transgender and LGBTQ+ rights in general in the past, tweeting a video earlier this year decrying a bill removing civil rights protections for gender identity.
Source: KCRG News 9-ABC on 2026 Iowa Gubernatorial race Jun 26, 2025

Roger Marshall: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Kansas Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Roger Wicker: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Mississippi Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Steve Daines: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Montana Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Ted Cruz: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Texas Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Thom Tillis: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 North Carolina Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Tommy Tuberville: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports

22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."

The NCAA updated its policy in 2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:

  1. Prior to any competition during the regular season;
  2. Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
  3. Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Alabama Governor race Aug 8, 2024

  • The above quotations are from State of Iowa Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2024 Presidential contenders on Civil Rights:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Mar 13, 2026