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 […]
Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
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, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
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 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
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 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
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 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘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 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
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 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa House passes bill to raise the speed limit on two-lane highways
Two-lane state highways could see speed limits rise from 55 to 60 miles per hour under a bill passed Wednesday by the Iowa House. SF 378, passed 76-16, would increase the default speed limit for all vehicular traffic zones, while keeping in place other limits, like the 25 mph limit in residential and school districts. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Eddie Andrews accuses fellow GOP candidate for governor of threats and attempted sabotage as he qualifies for the primary ballot
State Rep. Eddie Andrews has qualified for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary ballot, the State Objection Panel ruled Wednesday. The three-person panel, which hears challenges to candidates’ nominating papers, began their discussion Tuesday on an objection filed challenging aspects of Andrews’ filing. When the panel initially met, staff for the Iowa Secretary of State’s office had found […]
Posted inCommunity/News
To cover Medicaid funding gap left by Congress, Iowa House passes bill to raise tax on HMOs; Democrats warn health insurance premiums will spike
The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday retroactively raising the premium tax rate for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to make up for a Medicaid budget shortfall — a move Democrats and insurers said would raise healthcare costs for all Iowans, but Republicans argued was needed to draw down federal funding. HF 2739, approved on a […]
