On Iowa Politics Podcast

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 podcast, the On Iowa Politics team previews the Nov. 3 general election.

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, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

(2:52) - U.S. Senate Race, Ashley Hinson vs. Josh Turek vs. Thomas Laehn

Josh Turek ad on transgender issues draws bipartisan criticism

(13:02) - Iowa Governor’s Race, Zach Lahn vs. Rob Sand

(26:24) - U.S. House Race, Mariannette Miller-Meeks vs. Christina Bohannan vs. Michael Bridgford

(33:35) - Secretary of Agriculture Race, Mike Naig vs. Chris Jones

(39:12) - Secretary of State Race, Brenna Bird vs. Nate Willems

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 podcast, we’ll discuss President Trump’s campaign rally in Sioux City, the lone debate in Iowa-1, and the latest campaign fundraising.

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, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

(3:07) In Sioux City, Trump demands Iowans get out and vote to stave off 'darkness'

(22:37) Bohannan, Miller-Meeks face off in only debate of 2026 cycle

(28:38) Turek outraises Hinson in latest campaign finance period

Fundraising tight in Iowa’s competitive U.S. House races

(32:24) Sand has millions more to spend than Lahn

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 have more debates to talk about, and possible red flags on the support side for Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

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, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

(2:08) Reports: GOP super PAC shifts resources away from Miller-Meeks as reelection race tightens

(6:18) Why did a Republican PAC pull Miller-Meeks ads? Expert weighs in

(10:54) Lahn, Sand debate in Sioux City takes a break from campaign attacks

(14:53) 5 takeaways from Ashley Hinson, Josh Turek’s second Iowa U.S. Senate Debate

Hinson, Turek find common ground, clash on key issues in second Iowa Senate debate

(30:24) Trump plans two Iowa rallies before midterm election

https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/trump-plans-two-iowa-rallies-before-midterm-election/article_76b9bc3e-3f9c-4540-ac54-b383d7cc4458.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’re going to talk about, you guessed it, debates. Candidates in Iowa’s races for governor, senate, and two congressional districts faced off on camera in the same room for the first time this election season in the past couple weeks. Also, under the golden dome, Iowa lawmakers approved expanding state tax incentives for an anticipated $15 billion steel plant proposed for southeast Iowa.

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

Read the articles featured in the episode:

(1:28) Iowa clears way for $1.4 billion in state tax breaks for steel plant

CEO, Iowa leader address past issues with company planning Iowa steel plant

(15:43) Fourth District candidates Dave Dawson, Chris McGowan spar on rising prices, Iran, AI

In first debate, Zach Lahn and Rob Sand each pitch change

Iowa's 2nd Congressional District candidates talk affordability, Iran war in first debate

(30:04) Lindsay James, Joe Mitchell debate affordability, Iran war

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 tune into a session from The Gazette’s 10th annual Iowa Ideas conference that convenes a panel to discuss water quality in Iowa. Iowa Ideas is The Gazette's statewide, virtual conference that brings together perspectives from across the state to discuss the topics impacting Iowans most and offer solutions to continue driving Iowa forward.

Interested in watching replays from the Iowa Ideas conference? Find a full list here.

We will return to our regular On Iowa Politics podcast programming next week.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon.

Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy sat down with Democratic Iowa Gubernatorial Nominee Rob Sand on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 for the latest installment of a series of 1:1 interviews with political and government leaders in Iowa. This episode was produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon.

View past installments of the series:

• Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley
• Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten
• Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad

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 a big vote in the U.S. House, Vice President JD Vance visiting Western Iowa and more.

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, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

Read the articles talked about in this episode:

(3:59) JD Vance to headline Republican midterm rally in Council Bluffs

(13:08) Miller-Meeks, Nunn break with Trump, vote to curb U.S. war powers in Iran

(22:42) In Scott County, Zach Lahn asks Republicans to rally around water quality as a 'pro-life issue'

(28:27) Exclusive: Documents show Salix mayor, council knew of possible data center project early on

(34:37) Miller-Meeks, Bohannan to debate in battleground Iowa U.S. House Race

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 talk about upcoming debates and potential running mate issues in Iowa’s gubernatorial election, and we’ll recall 9/11.

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 and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

(0:50) Iowa’s fall debate calendar is filling up. One major race is missing.

(10:37) Wulf’s baggage is weighing down Lahn’s campaign

Lenders, farmers accuse Lt. Gov candidate Derek Wulf of theft, fraud

Iowa Lt. Gov. candidate Wulf addresses personal finances at conservative group’s meeting

(23:25) How did The Sioux City Journal cover Sept. 11, 2001?

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’ll discuss Iowa Farm Bureau’s endorsements – and lack thereof – and talk about our team’s bountiful coverage from the campaign trail.

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, 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 mentioned in the episode:

(1:59) Iowa Farm Bureau endorsements skip governor’s race

(10:17) Bird, McGowan cautious but optimistic during Sioux City GOP fundraiser

(15:34) Democrat running for Iowa Treasurer wants to bolster IPERS, push for financial policies

(22:28) Joe Mitchell warns of threat from left at Cedar Rapids rally

(31:39) Iowa Democratic candidates make their cases at Polk County Steak Fry fundraiser

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 Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and the $17.1 billion-dollar multistage settlement with Meta over child safety. Plus, data centers are back in the news yet again.

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, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles discussed in this episode:

(2:24) Salix City Council denies one-year data center moratorium

Sioux City Council broaches data center discussion Tuesday

(7:52) Iowa Attorney General: Meta settlement 'a massive win for keeping kids safe'

(14:19) Opinion: ‘Save Our Bacon Act’ won’t save rural Iowa

(22:27) Opinion: As election approaches, Republicans looking for points from less than ideal hand

(33:37) Hailey Peck: Five things I learned from my first Iowa State Fair