It appears there may be some shenanigans in a couple of key Iowa Republican primary races that will be decided on Tuesday.
A group called “Iowans for a Renewable Future” is registered with the state of Iowa as a 527. There are two types of 527s. According to the Iowa Campaign Ethics and Disclosure Board website, 527 groups such as “Iowans for a Renewable Future“ are tax-exempt organizations that “do not expressly advocate for or against candidates.”
However, check out this ad from “Iowans for a Renewable Future.”
As it turns out, the group has shelled out nearly $50,000 to run the ad in the district. Listings from the FCC show a combined $48,500 in ad buys at KIMT in Mason City.
This certainly appears to be an instance where a dark money group — in this case “Iowans for a Renewable Future” — is violating Iowa laws by expressly advocating for the election of their candidates — Waylon Brown and Jane Bloomingdale.
Some of the main contributors to “Iowans for a Renewable Future” appear to groups such as “Iowa Corn Growers Association,” “Iowa Soybean Association” and “Renewable Fuels Association.”
