KHOI's Capitol Week

Laura Belin and Mike Murphy walked through results from Iowa's June 2 primary elections, spending the most time on the governor's race, where there was a photo finish for Republicans. They talked about what went wrong for front-runner Randy Feenstra as well as the early general election arguments for Zach Lahn and Rob Sand. Other topics covered: the Democratic and Republican primary results for U.S. Senate and U.S. House, last minute filings by four Libertarian candidates, and the surprisingly close GOP primary for state auditor.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent this entire episode on Iowa's upcoming state and federal primary elections, taking place on June 2. They began with the latest developments in the five-way Republican race for governor: polling, high-profile endorsements, and closing arguments for each candidate. They also surveyed the two-way Democratic and Republican primaries for U.S. Senate, competitive races in Iowa's four U.S. House districts, and the GOP primary for state auditor.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began this Memorial Day episode by remembering four Iowans who died in military service in the Middle East over the past year. They spent most of the show on 2026 campaign news: the latest fundraising numbers for Iowa's candidates for governor and other statewide offices, the second debate for GOP candidates for governor, new endorsements and TV ads, and updates from the Senate Democratic primary. Finally, they covered stories related to the Iowa delegation in Congress and the new state "MAHA" law, which Governor Reynolds signed last week.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent about half of the show on news from the campaign for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat: the second (and last) televised debate between Zach Wahls and Josh Turek, a new endorsement for Turek, new ads backing Turek, Wahls, and Republican front-runner Ashley Hinson, and outside spending on the race. They also covered the televised debate featuring the three Democrats running in Iowa's second Congressional district, Republican candidate Joe Mitchell picking a fight with some powerful members of his own party, Governor Kim Reynolds signing a major property tax overhaul, and another new state law inspired by Charlie Kirk.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent most of this show on 2026 campaign news, starting with what Iowans need to cast early ballots for the June 2 primary and the first televised debate between Senate contenders Josh Turek and Zach Wahls. They covered notable endorsements, campaign visits, polls, and ads for Turek, Wahls, and several candidates running in Iowa's U.S. House races, an independent who is on track to qualify for the ballot, and news related to the campaigns for attorney general, secretary of state, and state treasurer. Finally, they discussed two stories related to Senator Chuck Grassley and the long-running effort to enact stronger penalties for animal torture.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the marathon finish to the Iowa legislature's 2026 session: the all-nighter at the capitol, culminating in the final agreement on property tax reform. They covered key parts of that bill and divisions among House and Senate Republicans—and among Democratic lawmakers—on the issue. The legislature adjourned without any action on eminent domain, but Republicans passed a bill limiting the governor's powers, new restrictions on abortion medications, a proposed constitutional amendment on taxes, and more funding for pediatric cancer research and water quality investments. News from Congress: the end of a partial federal government shutdown and what did (and didn't) make it into the House-approved Farm Bill. Finally, they discussed the first (and last) televised debate for Republicans running for governor, a GOP-commissioned poll of Iowa's third Congressional district, and a Democratic poll of the second Congressional district.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with ad buys and air time reservations in Iowa's U.S. House races, new ads for Republican candidates Adam Steen and Zach Lahn, Steve King endorsing Lahn, how the GOP candidates covered the weekend's four district conventions, and why the district convention delegates could be important. News from Congress: Chuck Grassley recovering from surgery, a planned briefing on Secret Service protocols, Iowans' votes on war powers, Grassley's preference to fill a Supreme Court vacancy (should one arise), and Joni Ernst paying tribute to the fired U.S. Army chief of staff. They ended with news from the legislature: state budget negotiations, property tax reform differences, photos of House pages stuffing campaign mailers for a Republican lawmaker, Senate Democrats taking down two of the governor's nominees, and several bills related to Iowa's high cancer rates.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news from the Republican primary for governor: Randy Feenstra's latest ad and internal poll; a recycled endorsement; Feenstra and Zach Lahn declining a debate; Adam Steen's comments on debates, school vouchers, and Sharia law; and Steve King's take on the race. They discussed Rob Sand's new ad, canvassing strategy, and plan to legalize cannabis and THC beverages. Other campaign news: Josh Turek's first TV ad, Iowa donations from Eric Swalwell's PAC, first quarter fundraising for U.S. House and Senate candidates, Mariannette Miller-Meeks renting an apartment from Pharma lobbyists, IA-01 independent candidate Michael Bridgford, and Libertarians' plans for this year's races. Finally, they covered renewed efforts to restrict medication abortions and the latest statistics on Iowa abortions in 2025.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent most of the show on news from Iowa's 2026 campaigns: a poll shows Iowa as "competitive terrain," a forecaster calls the governor's race a toss-up, why Rob Sand's banking on educators, Randy Feenstra and Adam Steen spar over school vouchers, former Gov. Terry Branstad's advice for Feenstra, Zach Lahn's debut TV ad, VoteVets spending for Josh Turek, sparks fly between Turek and rival Senate candidate Zach Wahls, pitches from the Republicans running in IA-02, and a major labor group's endorsements. Other topics covered: Chuck Grassley on the fired U.S. Army chief of staff, Ashley Hinson dodges questions about Iran, and how the Iowa Senate's bipartisan property tax reform bill differs from proposals backed by Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa House Republicans.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with a big GOP investment in Iowa's U.S. Senate race, a look at other battleground races, worrying poll numbers for one Congressional incumbent, and unconventional policies advocated by gubernatorial candidates Rob Sand and Zach Lahn. They also noted the three Iowa Senate races targeted by a Democratic group and reflections on Jesse Jackson's 1988 Iowa caucus campaign. Other topics covered: Iowa members of Congress ignored Trump's Easter Sunday post, the Iowa angle on the ousted U.S. Army chief of staff, Senator Grassley praised former Attorney General Pam Bondi, an appeals court lifted the injunctions on Iowa's school book ban and "don't say gay/trans" laws, top IPERS officials placed on leave, and legislative news related to the state budget and an ethics complaint against a Republican senator.