Jeff Zeleny

1. Article · Sep 5, 2026 · Jeff Zeleny

   Control of the Senate could hinge on these independents running where Democrats aren’t | CNN Politics (opens the original)

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   Stephanie Nantkes is a proud Democrat. But when asked how her political party is perceived here, she doesn’t sugarcoat the answer. “I mean, not well,” said Nantkes, a retired teacher. “Not well at all.” She wore a light blue “Seward County Democrats” shirt to meet her preferred US Senate candidate, who is actually not a Democrat. In fact, there is no Democrat on the fall Senate ballot. Party leaders decided to stand down and support Dan Osborn, an independent, in hopes of boosting

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2. Article · Aug 29, 2026 · Jeff Zeleny

   Iowa Democrat tries to strike an independent path in governor’s race | CNN Politics (opens the original)

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   Of all the cities to visit in Iowa, Rob Sand did not stop here in Independence because it’s a fitting metaphor in his campaign for governor. Yet, he surely needs voters to believe that it is. “I think our political system is broken,” Sand told a crowd seated closely around him. “Mostly because it’s run by two private clubs and they’re more interested in beating up on each other than they are in solving our problems.” The town of Independence, which sits along the Wapsipinicon River

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