Cedar Rapids, IA, USA  
Digital Edition Digital Edition
Log in Log In My Account My Account
Subscribe Today
The Gazette The Gazette
The Gazette The Gazette
  • COVID-19
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Food & Drink
  • Business
Digital Edition Digital Edition
Log in Log In My Account My Account
Subscribe
CLOSE
The Gazette
Subscribe
My Account
  • News
    • All News
    • Election 2020
    • Coronavirus
    • Business News
    • Community
    • Crime and Courts
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Nation and World
    • Time Machine
    • Search Archive

    Our Journalists

    • Rod Boshart
    • Lee Hermiston
    • Erin Jordan
    • James Q. Lynch
    • Trish Mehaffey
    • Vanessa Miller
    • Kat Russell
    • Grace King
    • John Steppe
    • Gage Miskimen
    • Marissa Payne
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Iowa Hawkeyes
    • Hawkeye Football
    • Hawkeye Basketball
    • Prep Sports
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Basketball
    • Prep Wrestling
    • Iowa State Cyclones
    • UNI Panthers
    • Small College Sports
    • Minor League Sports
    • Outdoors

    Sports Desk

    • Mike Hlas
    • Jeff Johnson
    • Jeff Linder
    • J.R. Ogden
    • K.J. Pilcher
    • Leah Vann
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Editorial Mission
    • Guest Columnists
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Political Cartoons
    • Staff Columnists
    • Staff Editorials
    • Submit a Letter or Column

    Our Columnists

    • Todd Dorman
    • Adam Sullivan
  • Food and Drink
    • All Food and Drink
    • Chew on This
    • Recipes
    • Restaurants
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Business Notes
    • Companies
    • Personal Finance
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy
    • Manufacturing
    • Openings & Closures
    • Real Estate
    • Retail
    • Small Business
    • Transportation

    Our Journalists

    • Rod Boshart
    • Erin Jordan
    • John Steppe
  • Obituaries
    • All Obituaries
    • In Memory Of
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • Daily News Podcast
    • Fact Checker
    • Hlastradamus Odds
    • Iowa Prep Sports
    • On Iowa
    • On Iowa Politics
    • On UNI
    • Pinning Combination
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Art
    • Books
    • Museums & Galleries
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Things To Do
  • Living
    • All Living
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Milestones
    • People & Places
    • Pets & Animals
    • Recreation
    • Religion & Belief
    • Travel

    Our Writers

    • Diana Nollen
  • Kids Gazette
    • See All
    • Kids Cooking Series
    • Kids Galleries
    • Printables
    • Activities
    • Articles
    • Submissions
    • Resources
  • Photos
    • All Photos and Videos
    • The Iowa Photo
    • Photo Store

    Our Photojournalists

    • Andy Abeyta
    • Liz Martin
    • Rebecca Miller
    • Jim Slosiarek
    • Gazette Visuals
  • Milestones
    • All Milestones
    • Anniversaries
    • Days To Remember
    • Engagements
    • Holidays
    • In Remembrance
    • New Arrivals
    • Thank Yous
    • Submit a Milestone
  • Data
    • Arrests
    • Building Permits
    • Interactive Maps & Charts
    • Salaries
  • Gazette Sites
    • Classifieds
    • Corridor Careers
    • Garage Sales
    • Gazette Gives Back
    • Gazette Rewards
    • Gazette Store
    • Green Gazette
    • HER
    • Iowa Wedding Experience
    • Holiday Light Finder
    • Hoopla
    • Iowa Ideas
    • Photo Store
  • Special Events
  • Special Sections
  • Other
    • About The Gazette
    • Archives
    • Article Removal
    • Business Directory
    • CR Arrest Database
    • Mobile Apps
    • Customer Care
    • Order Back Issues
    • Privacy Policies
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Sponsorship Requests
    • Submit a Letter
    • Weather
Daily News PodcastDaily News Podcast
Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters
Log out

FOLLOW US

The Gazette
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Food and Drink
  • Business
  • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
  • Entertainment
  • Living
  • Kids Gazette
  • Photos
  • Milestones
  • Data
  • Gazette Sites
  • Special Events
  • Special Sections
  • Other
  • All News
  • Election 2020
  • Coronavirus
  • Business News
  • Community
  • Crime and Courts
  • Education
  • Government
  • Health
  • Nation and World
  • Time Machine
  • Search Archive

Our Journalists

  • Rod Boshart
  • Lee Hermiston
  • Erin Jordan
  • James Q. Lynch
  • Trish Mehaffey
  • Vanessa Miller
  • Kat Russell
  • Grace King
  • John Steppe
  • Gage Miskimen
  • Marissa Payne
  • All Sports
  • Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Hawkeye Football
  • Hawkeye Basketball
  • Prep Sports
  • Prep Volleyball
  • Prep Football
  • Prep Basketball
  • Prep Wrestling
  • Iowa State Cyclones
  • UNI Panthers
  • Small College Sports
  • Minor League Sports
  • Outdoors

Sports Desk

  • Mike Hlas
  • Jeff Johnson
  • Jeff Linder
  • J.R. Ogden
  • K.J. Pilcher
  • Leah Vann
  • All Opinion
  • Editorial Mission
  • Guest Columnists
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Political Cartoons
  • Staff Columnists
  • Staff Editorials
  • Submit a Letter or Column

Our Columnists

  • Todd Dorman
  • Adam Sullivan
  • All Food and Drink
  • Chew on This
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants
  • All Business
  • Agriculture
  • Business Notes
  • Companies
  • Personal Finance
  • Economy
  • Employment
  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Openings & Closures
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Small Business
  • Transportation

Our Journalists

  • Rod Boshart
  • Erin Jordan
  • John Steppe
  • All Obituaries
  • In Memory Of
  • Submit an Obituary
  • All Podcasts
  • Daily News Podcast
  • Fact Checker
  • Hlastradamus Odds
  • Iowa Prep Sports
  • On Iowa
  • On Iowa Politics
  • On UNI
  • Pinning Combination
  • All Entertainment
  • Art
  • Books
  • Museums & Galleries
  • Music
  • Theater
  • Things To Do
  • All Living
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • Milestones
  • People & Places
  • Pets & Animals
  • Recreation
  • Religion & Belief
  • Travel

Our Writers

  • Diana Nollen
  • See All
  • Kids Cooking Series
  • Kids Galleries
  • Printables
  • Activities
  • Articles
  • Submissions
  • Resources
  • All Photos and Videos
  • The Iowa Photo
  • Photo Store

Our Photojournalists

  • Andy Abeyta
  • Liz Martin
  • Rebecca Miller
  • Jim Slosiarek
  • Gazette Visuals
  • All Milestones
  • Anniversaries
  • Days To Remember
  • Engagements
  • Holidays
  • In Remembrance
  • New Arrivals
  • Thank Yous
  • Submit a Milestone
  • Arrests
  • Building Permits
  • Interactive Maps & Charts
  • Salaries
  • Classifieds
  • Corridor Careers
  • Garage Sales
  • Gazette Gives Back
  • Gazette Rewards
  • Gazette Store
  • Green Gazette
  • HER
  • Iowa Wedding Experience
  • Holiday Light Finder
  • Hoopla
  • Iowa Ideas
  • Photo Store
  • About The Gazette
  • Archives
  • Article Removal
  • Business Directory
  • CR Arrest Database
  • Mobile Apps
  • Customer Care
  • Order Back Issues
  • Privacy Policies
  • Puzzle Answers
  • Sponsorship Requests
  • Submit a Letter
  • Weather
Daily News PodcastDaily News Podcast Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters
LOG OUT

FOLLOW US

More Stories

Iowa State Patrol trooper killed during standoff

Hari Michele Osofsky is first University of Iowa presidential finalist…

Despite their discomfort, some residents beginning to agree to COVID-19…

CANCELED: Operation Quickfind issued for Marion boy

Iowa OSHA: Anamosa prison didn’t have reliable radios

After border visit, Hinson calls for reinstating Trump policies

Visitor restrictions eased at Cedar Rapids hospitals

Joni Ernst says ‘zero’ chance she will run for president…

Home / News

Stacey Walker won’t seek U.S. Senate nomination

By: James Q. Lynch Aug. 9, 2019 4:05 pm Updated: Aug. 9, 2019 7:48 pm
Stacey Walker won’t seek U.S. Senate nomination

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker expressed sadness, disappointment with himself and frustration with Democratic Party politics in announcing he won't run for the U.S. Senate.

Walker, of Cedar Rapids, had considered seeking the party's nomination to challenge first-term Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.

In an announcement posted to his website, Walker was critical of a primary election process 'orchestrated by Washington elites, instead of being left up to the voters.”

It was not an easy decision, Walker said, because 'I know in my heart that my candidacy would have provided the starkest contrast to Ernst, who has unabashedly aligned herself with a president and a party whose policies are harming Iowans, our democracy and the future of our world.”

Walker, 31, an African American, said his candidacy would have attracted a broad, more diverse coalition of voters.

'We further strengthen the fabric of our civic life when we speak to people of all backgrounds and are intentional about elevating diverse, marginalized voices. I have done this for my entire political career,” he said.

Lastly, Walker thinks his candidacy would have generated a discussion of the Democratic Party's future.

'There is no question that our party is engaged in a process of renewal, working to find its footing in a new reality that not only demands, but rewards more ardent expressions of liberalism,” he said. 'We will decide in this election cycle who we will be and who we will be for; a decision point that will impact generations to come.”

The decision was more difficult because Walker thought he would be entering a primary contest 'heavily skewed in favor of one candidate.” Eddie Mauro, Kimberly Graham and Theresa Greenfield are running in the primary.

Greenfield has the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

'And while I've never been one to back down from a challenge,” Walker said, 'I've learned in this business that the best fights and the most worthy are the ones where the scales are even and candidates with their own ideas can make their case to the voters.”

While confident of his abilities, Walker said challenging the 'institutional forces” of the party could damage his political career.

'And, at the end of the day, this fear won out over my courage, and I'm not proud about that,” he said.

Although he has been asked to endorse Greenfield, who is seen as the likely nominee, 'because that would be good for my political career,” he said he will endorse the most progressive candidate.

'I'm not disparaging the party's chosen candidate, and I am not looking for sympathy,” Walker said. He hopes to spark a conversation about how Iowa Democrats do primaries.

'In theory, these races would be free from out-of-state meddling altogether, but that will never happen,” he said.

'I've seen this happen before with rather spotty results, and it just seems to me that it ought to be different. A party with confidence in its voters would seek to change this practice.”

Walker, who is in the middle of a four-year term on the Board of Supervisors, plans to 'continue to focus on the important work of improving the lives of residents here in Linn County.”

' Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com

Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker, a native of Cedar Rapids, speaks during a Cedar Rapids school board meeting in August 2016 in Cedar Rapids. Walker has announced he will not run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Joni Ernst. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
Daily Report, Iowa, Linn County

James Q. Lynch

Iowa legislative leaders continue war of words over prison staff…

New website will honor Iowa women elected to state, federal…

‘Playing politics’ charges leveled by both parties in Iowa House…

House committee approves $17 million more for Workday computer system

Iowa House gives boost to fundraising for Hoover presidential museum

All articles by James

Give us feedback

We work hard to provide fair, accurate coverage because we value your trust. If you find an error or omission in our reporting, please tell us here.

Submit a story idea

Do you have a story idea that we should look into? Please tell us here.

Related Stories

Iowa adds 666 virus cases on Thursday

Iowa adds 666 virus cases on Thursday

Gage Miskimen Health Care and Medicine Apr. 8, 2021 4:39 pm

No one hurt in Cedar Rapids house fire

No one hurt in Cedar Rapids house fire

Gazette staff Crime and Courts Apr. 6, 2021 12:15 pm

Iowa state park camping fees increase for the first time…

Iowa state park camping fees increase for the first time…

Erin Jordan Government & Politics Apr. 5, 2021 9:51 pm

News

Hari Michele Osofsky is first University of Iowa presidential finalist…

Hari Michele Osofsky is first University of Iowa presidential finalist…

Vanessa Miller

Higher Ed 7m ago

Linn and Johnson outpace state in rate of adults completing…

Linn and Johnson outpace state in rate of adults completing…

John McGlothlen

News Apr. 11, 2021 3:41 pm

Despite their discomfort, some residents beginning to agree to COVID-19…

Despite their discomfort, some residents beginning to agree to COVID-19…

Michaela Ramm

Health Care and Medicine Apr. 11, 2021 12:04 pm

CANCELED: Operation Quickfind issued for Marion boy

CANCELED: Operation Quickfind issued for Marion boy

The Gazette

Crime and Courts Apr. 11, 2021 11:40 am

Government & Politics

Week in Iowa: Recap of news from around the state…

Week in Iowa: Recap of news from around the state…

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

News Apr. 8, 2021 11:25 pm

After border visit, Hinson calls for reinstating Trump policies

After border visit, Hinson calls for reinstating Trump policies

By Amie Rivers

Federal Government Apr. 9, 2021 11:31 pm

Bottle bill changes dead, prisons to get funding boost, Iowa…

Bottle bill changes dead, prisons to get funding boost, Iowa…

Erin Murphy

State Government Apr. 9, 2021 8:59 pm

Iowa OSHA: Anamosa prison didn’t have reliable radios

Iowa OSHA: Anamosa prison didn’t have reliable radios

Erin Jordan

State Government Apr. 9, 2021 6:07 pm

Sports

Metro duo produce for fifth-ranked Louisville baseball

Metro duo produce for fifth-ranked Louisville baseball

K.J. Pilcher

Sports 3h ago

UNI football hangs with, but can’t beat, No. 2 North…

UNI football hangs with, but can’t beat, No. 2 North…

UNI Panther Football Apr. 10, 2021 8:50 pm

Photos: UNI Panthers vs. NDSU Bison

Photos: UNI Panthers vs. NDSU Bison

Gazette Visuals

UNI Panther Football Apr. 10, 2021 8:34 pm

Kirkwood advances to NJCAA D-II women’s basketball tournament

Kirkwood advances to NJCAA D-II women’s basketball tournament

Justin Webster

Sports Apr. 10, 2021 7:25 pm

Opinion

Planting Forward: Companies and workers restore trees taken by derecho

Planting Forward: Companies and workers restore trees taken by derecho

Clark McLeod

Opinion 2h ago

Rethinking the rush toward electric vehicles

Rethinking the rush toward electric vehicles

Nicholas Johnson

Guest Columnists Apr. 9, 2021 1:16 pm

The only safe prison is an empty one

The only safe prison is an empty one

Adam Sullivan

Opinion Apr. 9, 2021 8:26 am

Property tax bill includes unwelcome surprises

Property tax bill includes unwelcome surprises

staff editorial

Staff Editorials Apr. 8, 2021 4:04 pm

FOLLOW US

The Gazette is Iowa’s independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage.

© 2021 The Gazette

All Rights Reserved.

  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy
  • Web Accessibility

Contact Us

  • 116 3rd St SE
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
  • customercare@thegazette.com
  • (319) 398-8333
  • Live Chat

Links

  • Puzzle Answers
  • CR Arrest Database
  • Article Removal Request
  • Archives
  • Green Gazette
  • Corridor Careers Jobs
  • Work at The Gazette
  • Customer Care

© 2021 The Gazette

All Rights Reserved.

  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy
  • Web Accessibility
Folience A Folience Company