Thomas Beaumont

• Harkin won’t seek sixth term

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  January 28, 2013

  Iowa's Tom Harkin, chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, will continue to push his own vision for a nationalized U.S. retirement system through 2014.

• In polarized nation, Iowa finds itself oddly split

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  December 26, 2012

  Republicans and Democrats in state capitals across the country are talking ambitiously about what they'll do next year with the unchecked power they amassed in the fall elections. In more states than not, one party now has full control of government.

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  GOP shows signs of post-election changes

  By Josh Lederman, Thomas Beaumont  |  December 26, 2012

  For years, Republicans have adhered fiercely to their bedrock conservative principles, resisting Democratic calls for tax hikes, comprehensive immigration reform and gun control. Now, seven weeks after an electoral drubbing, some party leaders and rank-and-file alike are signaling a willingness to bend on all three issues.

• Unions plan new offensive after Michigan loss

  By Sam Hananel, Thomas Beaumont  |  December 18, 2012

  Blindsided by a new law weakening union rights in Michigan, organized labor is preparing to target Republican governors in politically important states up for re-election in 2014 — part of a renewed offensive against perceived anti-union policies.

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  Romney: Obama gives no confidence of creating jobs

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  September 10, 2012

  Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney claimed Friday that President Barack Obama has failed to fulfill his promises in part because he does not understand what it takes to ignite a more robust economic recovery.

• Wisconsin voters divided on bargaining

  By Jennifer Agiesta, Thomas Beaumont  |  June 6, 2012

  Talk about sharply divided voter attitudes in Wisconsin.

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  Wisconsin outcome signals opportunity for Romney

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  June 6, 2012

  Republican Gov. Scott Walker's recall victory in Wisconsin sets the stage for what's now expected to be a hard-fought presidential battle for this Midwestern state.

• Romney to talk about US debt in swing-state Iowa

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  May 15, 2012

  Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is criticizing President Barack Obama's handling of the national debt in Iowa, a Midwestern battleground he hasn't visited since the state's leadoff nominating caucuses.

• Republican Perry says Romney health plan cost jobs

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  September 16, 2011

  Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry said Thursday the health care bill GOP rival Mitt Romney enacted in Massachusetts paved the way for President Barack Obama's federal health law last year and cost the state jobs.

• Perry calls jobs record a big plus

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  August 15, 2011

  Texas Gov. Rick Perry is telling The Associated Press that both his economic record and his experience leading a large growing state sets him apart from his Republican presidential rivals.