Iowa State Rep. Angel Ramirez

The support of young, innovative elected officials like Councilman Miskimen means the world to me.

We need fresh faces and bold visionaries.

Proud to have the endorsement of Next Century Forum!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Next Century Forum Announces 2026 Candidate Endorsements Focused on Young People and Emerging Leadership

DES MOINES, Iowa — Next Century Forum today announced its first round of 2026 candidate endorsements following a vote of the organization’s membership.

Candidates were evaluated and endorsed based on three core criteria:
• A demonstrated commitment to young people
• A commitment to elevating and investing in young leaders
• A commitment to addressing the issues most impacting younger generations

“These endorsements reflect what young voters and organizers across Iowa are asking for from leadership,” said Lexi Farber of Next Century Forum. “Our members are looking for candidates who understand the economic, social, and democratic challenges facing younger generations — and who are willing to actively invest in the next generation of leadership.”

The organization said members prioritized candidates who are focused on issues such as affordability, housing, public education, reproductive freedom, climate resilience, workforce opportunity, healthcare access, and civic engagement.

Unlike traditional endorsement processes driven solely by leadership or donors, Next Century Forum emphasized that endorsements were determined by its membership base through a democratic voting process.

“Young people are often talked about during campaigns, but too rarely included in meaningful decision making,” Farber said. “These endorsements are about supporting leaders who are willing to bring young people to the table and take our concerns seriously.”

Endorsed Candidates:
Rachel Burns for Iowa
Kris Williams for Iowa
Benjamin Schauer
Mike Jones for Iowa
State Representative Kenan Judge
State Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell
Mary Madison
Ross Wilburn For Iowa House
Rob Johnson
Leila for Iowa
Sean Bagnewski
India May for Iowa House
State Representative Austin Baeth
Matt English for Iowa House of Representatives District 66
Matt Robinson
Heather Sievers for Iowa
Elizabeth Wilson
Eric Gjerde
State Rep. Molly Buck
Amy for Iowa 42
Iowa State Rep. Angel Ramirez
Jill Alesch
State Representative Tracy Ehlert
Larry McBurney
Aime Wichtendahl
Drew Stensland
Amy Nielsen
Kendra Haug
Elinor Levin
Craven4change
Adam Peters for Iowa

STATEMENT FROM State Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell ON TODAY’S SUPREME COURT RULING ON MIFEPRISTONE

“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling is good news for reproductive freedom and a reminder of why access to abortion care must be protected. Mifepristone is a safe and effective medication that has been used for decades.

Unfortunately, Iowa Republicans continue to try to restrict access to this safe form of care, meaning Iowans may not have the same freedoms and access as people in other states. Politicians should not be standing between Iowans and their doctors or making personal healthcare decisions for their families.

Every Iowan deserves the freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions safely, privately, and without political interference.”

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Kevin González, an 18-year-old Chicago resident battling terminal cancer has died, just one day after being reunited with his parents following their release from U.S. immigration custody.

He was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year. The cancer later spread to his stomach and lungs, and doctors said treatment was no longer viable. Following his diagnosis, Kevin's parents applied for humanitarian parole asking to be allowed into the U.S. to be with their son but were denied. After that they attempted to cross the border, but they were taken into custody by ICE agents in Arizona.

This week, Kevin had issued a public plea for his parents to be released from custody so they could travel to Mexico to be by his side as he battles the terminal illness, and on Saturday they were reunited in an emotional moment in Durango.

As Kevin was reunited with his parents, he embraced his mother in a hug that was the finish line. It was the culmination of months of prayer, a relentless effort and a community's push to bring the family back together. For the first time in a long while, Kevin woke up to his parents touch and care on Sunday. On his final day, the three were together again as a family. The 18-year-old spent his final moments surrounded by his family and friends, knowing his story touched millions who were all rooting for him to get what he had longed for.

RIP Kevin González 🕊🙏🏼

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms, grandmas, stepmoms, foster moms, chosen moms, and mother figures who make our communities stronger every single day.

ICE raids are happening in Iowa. We are not immune.

Eight in ICE custody after arrests at Davenport restaurant ⬇️ Click the link in comments to read more

A University of Iowa student critically injured in an April 19 shooting at the Pedestrian Mall is off a ventilator after multiple surgeries. Read more: https://www.kcrg.com/2026/05/06/gofundme-shares-update-univ-iowa-student-shot-ped-mall/

An Iowa lobbyist was caught offering $100 cash payments—plus referral bonuses—to pack JD Vance’s Des Moines rally this week. The lobbyist works for an ethanol policy group whose top priority, E15 fuel, Vance championed from the stage.

Read more at the link in the comments.

STATEMENT FROM REP. ELIZABETH WILSON ON RESIGNATION OF IPERS CEO GREG SAMORAJSKI:

“The hundreds of thousands of Iowans who depend on IPERS to retire with dignity should know that the program is in good hands.

As a board member, I can assure you that the personnel problem doesn’t affect the stability of the IPERS program for its beneficiaries or their families. In the meantime, I have the responsibility and will demand transparency while holding the organization accountable.

For the program's best interests, we need to ensure clear oversight moving forward and support a thorough review of its hiring practices.”

What is happening in Tennessee is white supremacy in action. Blatant, intentional, hateful white supremacy.