The Iowa Podcast

Do we call it a blue wave? A blue earthquake? All of the above? Lucas Grundmeier, Opinion Editor at The Des Moines Register breaks down Iowa's historic Nov 3rd election and gives his observations. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/Lucas-Grundmeier 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Iowa Democrats almost swept all state and federal offices, and while Republicans will keep a majority in the State House and State Senate, it's clear the Democrats playbook worked, and the GOP has to take evasive action quickly.

Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer is running for State Auditor. Should she win, she will be subject to SF 478, the law she voted for to limit the Auditor's office. Does she plan on working with the legislature to reverse it, or does she want it left in place?

Cournoyer discusses her top waste targets and one program she will leave in place from the current Auditor's office. She's asked about concerns from the last election cycle from prominent Iowa Republicans on her predecessor's lack of CPA experience. Is that still a concern?

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Taylor Wettach is running for State Auditor, promising to carry on the work of current Auditor, Rob Sand. He says he's running to oppose corruption and we ask what corruption he's most concerned about. He also discusses a potential job Washington's DOGE cuts cost him.

Wettach explained why he left New York City based law firm, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in May of 2025 due to a Trump White House arrangement that concerned him. He also explains how DOGE's cost cutting recommendations cost him a new job with the US Treasury and his thoughts around government efficiency.

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Iowa State Treasurer Candidate John Norwood explains his IPERS concerns, discusses the problems with Iowa officials selecting lowest-bidders on state projects, and shares how he'd pull all state funds from national banks into Iowa banks.

Despite Iowa Republicans being clear about supporting IPERS with no intention to change it, Norwood shares why he is still concerned. He also explains the economics behind moving 2.5 billion dollars of state funds into Iowa banks, he says even if the investment returns are lower, the overall state economic impact is worth it.

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Libertarian candidate for US Congress, Rick Stewart defends Universal Basic Income from a Libertarian viewpoint, abolishing income tax, legalization of drugs, erased portions of his call with HHS Secretary Bobby Kennedy, and in a bonus wrap-up chat, how he never collected signatures to get on the ballot.

Stewart has run for U.S. Senate, Linn County Sheriff, Secretary of Agriculture, Governor, and now the US House of Representatives. He addresses the Libertarian Party losing popularity, despite more voters claiming to be independent, explains how the party was hijacked, why he believes they've finally righted the ship.

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Dave Bushaw is the first "no party" candidate in Iowa, and perhaps in US History and that brand rings true. He's pro 2nd amendment, wants gun safety in schools, but is also pro-single payer healthcare. Bushaw's views are varied and it's clear he's not beholden to any particular party.

Bushaw discusses his view on the "right to work scam," corrects claims he is pro mandatory military service, and defends single-payer healthcare from an economic perspective and not the usual "human right" speech.

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Nate Willems is running for Attorney General and said he'd go further than the DNR on punishing recent polluters. We asked how far in the future. He also explains why he initially voted against a bill that would monitor sex offenders in the state, but voted for the final bill.

Willems also explains how he'd recoup lost wages for Iowa workers and also defends a controversial post on Twitter (now X) that made a comparison between Antifa and US Soldiers "fighting fascism."

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Michael Bridgford is running for Congress as an independent, hoping to gain a seat in the US House of Representatives that acts as a marriage counselor or relationships therapist between Republicans and Democrats. He tells us that his independent voice is an advantage for him and for Iowa.

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Most voters write-off independent candidates, but Iowa is a different story he says. 144,161 Iowans are independents. That number is within striking distance of the 166,348 registered Republicans and 153,396 Democrats in Iowa. Bridgford also explains his mission to get big money out of politics and restore the individual's voice in Congress.

Senate Candidate Thomas Laehn is an independent running for Iowa's open senate seat. While most people question what one independent voice can do in an ocean of blue and red, he sees it as a strategic advantage: that one vote can force a quorum and force DC Senators to actually have a dialogue.

It's an often overlooked fact but because there are only 100 Senators and control is often on razor thin margins, if Iowa sends an independent voice, the state actually punches slightly above its weight class in the Senate. Laehn's plan is to force a quorum and force both parties to work with each other for Iowans and the American people.

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Chris McGowan is running for Congress in Iowa's 4th district. He re-affirms his support for the continued military operation in Iran, albeit with some caveats. He also explains his thinking on tariffs after they still haven't achieved their goal, but he also discusses why civil treatment of his political opponent is important.

McGowan, an Air Force veteran, explains his children are currently serving. He says he supported bombing of Iran to remove nuclear weapons, but says continued war must be justified through the lens of the country posing an immediate threat. McGowan also explains why he wants to be "unpopular" by limiting spending, and why he wants to return civility to Congress.

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