On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

With the annual Iowa State Fair underway, this week we’re going to talk about Josh Turek’s campaign, the latest from Libertarians, and Todd Dorman’s latest love letter to the DNC.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles featured in this episode:

(2:00) NATO Ambassador: Europe's military spending 'biggest foreign policy victory' of Trump's second term https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_24af6d07-8c4e-4404-95ba-80d2c10412a2.html

(7:38) Busch Light, NASCAR and politics: Turek takes Senate campaign to Iowa Speedway

https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/josh-turek-takes-us-senate-campaign-to-nascar-race-in-iowa/article_4d57204a-d3f3-4193-9245-08e6509320fe.html

(24:16) The Democratic National Committee is drunk with power

https://www.thegazette.com/opinion/the-democratic-national-committee-is-drunk-with-power/article_ddf5775a-d9cc-4949-8238-e25a776118fc.html

(33:09) Libertarians’ ‘Hail Mary’ ballot move likely another fumble

https://www.thegazette.com/opinion/libertarians-hail-mary-ballot-move-likely-another-fumble/article_1c228221-5f74-4cf9-bfdc-b43a8849536a.html

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week, we discuss the Iowa courts upholding their decision to leave libertarian candidates off the ballot and the Iowa Democratic caucus being left out of early voting once again.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Southeast Iowa Union Producer Peter Kamp. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week, we discuss the Iowa Libertarians fighting for their name on the ballot, National group spending on the Iowa gubernatorial candidates and continued debate on data centers.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Southeast Iowa Union producer Peter Kamp. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles featured in this episode:

2:45 - Iowa Libertarian candidates go to court over ballot access

5:46 - National parties pour millions into Iowa governor campaign

13:46 - Sand derides 'broke' two-party system, calls out opponent for being an 'operative'

18:37 - I don’t like data centers either, but …

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

As we welcome a new podcaster this week, we’ll also be discussing the latest hearing in President Trump’s lawsuit against the Iowa Poll and Des Moines Register, recent state party fundraising events, and the federal housing bill.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

Read the articles featured in this episode:

(2:12) Iowa lawmaker praises federal housing bill after it becomes law without Trump's signature

https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_f409716b-deb2-4efa-9896-43ccc2489d50.html

(5:27) Buttigieg in Iowa: Democrats ‘in this moment’ can do it

https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/state/buttigieg-in-iowa-democrats-in-this-moment-can-do-it/article_9a11f663-4363-4f2a-8a91-6e0ccb5eb790.html

(10:00) Republican Party of Iowa hosts Lincoln Dinner, honors Kim Reynolds

https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_6b8154a4-9040-494a-90a4-420fbf498477.html

(12:10) Attorneys argue for, against dismissing Trump's lawsuit against Iowa pollster

https://qctimes.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/article_ba9e0a78-997c-4b65-95b5-d508de592cf1.html

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week, as we celebrate the semiquincentennial we’ll also discuss RFK Jr.’s overtures to Iowa Libertarians, national Democrats threatening penalties for potential primary rebels, and Sen. Chuck Grassley’s visit to Sioux City.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles featured in this episode:

(5:29) Chuck Grassley talks tariffs, data centers, Iran during Sioux City visit

https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/business/article_7dc05450-4a91-44be-b004-1c63c2237e80.html

(14:21) Dems impose tougher penalties for states, candidates defying party’s presidential nominating calendar

https://www.thegazette.com/news/politics/dems-impose-tougher-penalties-for-states-candidates-defying-party-s-presidential-nominating-calendar/article_915d5284-842d-4bc0-9419-f95556aeaeac.html

(21:29) RFK Jr. urges another Iowa Libertarian to leave House race, recording shows

https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/rfk-jr-urges-another-iowa-libertarian-to-leave-house-race-recording-shows/article_17d774a6-03c7-4aec-8f11-efb8b92bb9da.html

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week, a federal judge halts Iowa's SNAP food restrictions on soda, candy and more, Rob Sand unveils his "Rob-Publicans," Gov. Kim Reynolds reshuffles Iowa HHS leadership after the Senate rejected her director nominee, and Iowa Democrats make another case for restoring the state's lead-off status in vetting presidential hopefuls.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read stories featured in this week’s episode:

Federal judge blocks Iowa SNAP restrictions on soda, candy

https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/federal-judge-blocks-iowa-snap-restrictions-on-soda-candy/article_b1a2121c-24e2-4f13-9314-3b8487734355.html

Ex-Council Bluffs mayor among 'Rob-Publicans' for Rob Sand (10:45)

https://www.thegazette.com/news/politics/ex-council-bluffs-mayor-among-rob-publicans-for-rob-sand/article_d191e0c8-3c04-4f19-9ba2-8a9547a7cc3f.html

Reynolds taps Kraig Paulsen to lead Iowa HHS after Democrats block director's confirmation (22:23)

https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/reynolds-taps-kraig-paulsen-to-lead-iowa-hhs-after-democrats-block-directors-confirmation/article_a00c7c90-c946-46ff-977f-f7c50371b4f0.html

For more than 50 years, Iowa has tested future presidents (29:33)

https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_5b2ce740-598a-4f51-a443-f45d80da4a62.html

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week, we start with what is becoming an almost recurring Iowa election tradition: Libertarian ballot access litigation. Plus, gubernatorial tickets are set, Republicans have some family squabbles and another Iowa data center project sparks a political fight in Clinton.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton and features Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon.

State panel rejects 2 Iowa Libertarians' spots on ballot https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/state/state-panel-rejects-2-iowa-libertarians-spots-on-ballot/article_b7e1c1f1-2c14-4a4b-9703-5a108db5fcb9.html

Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn picks state lawmaker as running mate https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/state/republican-gubernatorial-candidate-zach-lahn-picks-state-lawmaker-as-running-mate/article_b5e45cbc-8d6b-438b-88f6-962e4539fea8.html

Jim Carlin urges supporters not to vote for Ashley Hinson https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/article_d22241a5-168e-47f7-85bb-199388fb2a53.html

Clinton residents organize against proposed QTS data center https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_5827c520-3b42-407e-9610-c8a6421385e5.html

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week, Rob Sand has a running mate, more ballot challenges featuring Libertarian candidates, and Iowa’s executive branch switches IT services. That last story is more interesting than it sounds, trust us.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon.

Read the articles featured in this episode:

Western Iowa farmer picked as Democrat Rob Sand’s running mate for Iowa governor

Name confusion leads to challenge of Iowa Libertarian candidate

Reynolds defends Iowa IT outsourcing plan, says jobs will stay in Iowa

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we review the 2026 Primary Election.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal, and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

Lahn tops Feenstra for GOP nomination

How did Zach Lahn win Iowa’s GOP gubernatorial primary?

Iowa primary takeaways: Democrats see opening, economy dominates and Lahn reshapes governor’s race

Turek wins Democratic nomination for Iowa U.S. Senate seat, setting up showdown with Hinson

Miller-Meeks, Bohannan advance to rematch in Iowa's 1st District race

Adam Peters defeats incumbent Ken Croken in Iowa House District 97 race

King counties from 2020 Fourth District primary stayed with Lahn in gubernatorial primary

Dave Rowley survives primary challenge from human trafficking lecturer Stacy Besch

Chris Cournoyer advances in tight Iowa auditor primary

This week on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we preview Iowa’s primary election coming up on Tuesday, June 2, including the gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, 2nd Congressional District and 1st Congressional District races.

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton and Gazette opinion columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

(1:22) Here are the 5 Republicans who want to be Iowa’s next governor

(17:54) Meet the Iowa Democrats running for U.S. Senate

(25:43) Meet the Iowa Republicans running for U.S. Senate

(32:15) Meet the Democrats running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District seat

Meet the Democratic candidates running for Iowa's 1st Congressional District