U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Iowa Rep. Josh Turek spoke about their track records as lawmakers as they met for their first U.S. Senate debate Wednesday, discussing their previous votes — and planned actions if elected — to address rising costs for Iowans. Hinson, a Republican representing Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, and Turek, a Democrat […]
Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law allowing $1.4 billion in tax incentives — roughly $777,000 per job — for steel mill project
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Friday a measure changing a state’s economic development program that could provide nearly $1.4 billion in tax incentives for a $15 billion steel mill project planned in southeast Iowa. “Today, we advance the most consequential economic development project ever to come to our state,” Reynolds said. The governor signed […]
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Ethics complaint filed over Pete Hegseth’s Iowa State Fair fundraiser with Zach Nunn
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing an ethics complaint filed by a group of former national security officials who are questioning if his August appearance at U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn’s Iowa State Fair fundraiser violated federal ethics restrictions. The Steady State, a nonpartisan organization comprised of 430 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military and […]
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Judge rules Iowa Libertarian candidates for governor and IA-03 don’t qualify for ballot in November
Iowa Libertarian candidates’ names will not appear on the ballot for the Iowa gubernatorial and 3rd District elections, a Polk County judge decided Thursday. Polk County District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin ruled the Libertarian Party of Iowa did not correctly conduct their replacement nomination process as outlined by Iowa law when the party nominated Charles […]
Posted inElection Coverage
Campaigning for Zach Nunn, Steve Scalise compares Sarah Trone Garriott to winning candidates in New York, Michigan
U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise linked Iowa Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, the Democrat running for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, with candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America — though she is not associated with the organization — as he spoke to Republicans in Iowa Wednesday in support of Rep. Zach Nunn’s reelection. Scalise, […]
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Democrats running in Iowa’s competitive 1st and 3rd Districts release first TV ads
Iowa Democrats running in two of the country’s most competitive U.S. House districts have released their first television campaign ads of the 2026 general election cycle. On Thursday, state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat who is running in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, released an ad titled “Quick.” The 30-second spot will begin airing on […]
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Rob Sand talks cancer research, nicotine taxes and Zach Lahn’s opposition to mRNA vaccines in Des Moines
Gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand said he would support increasing pediatric cancer research funding, raising taxes on tobacco and nicotine products and ensuring access to cancer-preventing vaccines — but warned advocates Tuesday these actions will require GOP support. Sand, a Democrat who currently serves as Iowa state auditor, met with organizers and volunteers with the American […]
Posted inElection Coverage
Libertarian candidates kicked off the ballot in Iowa after alleged pressure campaign involving RFK Jr.
The State Objections Panel ruled Monday that two Libertarian candidates running for governor and Congress should be taken off the 2026 Iowa general election ballot, sustaining challenges to their qualifications as candidates. A third Libertarian survived a challenge to his campaign paperwork and will remain on the November 2026 ballot. Republicans filed multiple challenges last […]
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Complaint against Sen. Zach Wahls dismissed by Iowa Senate Ethics Committee, citing lack of evidence
The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee voted Friday to dismiss a complaint against state Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, for his past employment as executive director of the Next 50 Network while serving in the state Legislature. The complaint, filed by Kathy Ulrich of Cedar Rapids, alleges Wahls, who is running to become the Democratic candidate for […]
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‘Honestly, it’s disgraceful’: Turek, Wahls spar over voting records on abortion in Dem Senate candidate forum
Candidates Josh Turek and Zach Wahls sparred Thursday during the second U.S. Senate Democratic primary debate on issues like reproductive healthcare and how to best achieve their policy goals if elected. One of the notable disputes during the KCCI and Gray Media debate centered on reproductive healthcare. Wahls, a state senator from Coralville, said “reproductive […]
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Iowa Senate sends ‘MAHA bill’ with SNAP restrictions, over-the-counter ivermectin to governor’s desk
The Iowa Senate sent Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “Make America Healthy Again” legislation to her desk Monday, a package that includes SNAP restrictions, over-the-counter ivermectin and several school health and nutrition policies. HF 2676, passed 30-16, seeks to make permanent the state’s currently implemented waivers restricting the purchase of unhealthy foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance […]
Posted inStatewide
Iowa House panel passes bill restricting medication abortions
Efforts to pass a bill restricting access to abortion medication earlier in this year’s legislative session stalled, but the bill was brought back and advanced Tuesday by an Iowa House Appropriations subcommittee. HF 2563 would require medications that can induce abortions, including mifepristone, to be administered or prescribed in person. This proposal would limit the […]
