New post: I went a little viral this week after the governor's press secretary closed a door in my face.
Lots of people had questions. I've got answers.
#journalism #iagov #ialegis
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/01/16/six-questions-about-the-governors-staff-blocking-me-from-a-budget-briefing/

Finally, the new Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh took questions from reporters about the governor's speech:
#ialegis #iagov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V690Cpnv1BQ

Then top Iowa Senate Democrat Janice Weiner and Iowa House Democrat Brian Meyer spoke to reporters:
#ialegis #iagov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBrioKd7jrE

Short thread with Iowa legislative leaders' reactions to Governor Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address and goals for the 2026 session.
First, House Speaker Pat Grassley spoke to reporters in the chamber:
#ialegis #iagov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9NsLpCaSEs

It's been quite a day!
My detailed written recap of last night's Iowa politics radio show ("KHOI's Capitol Week") is finally online.
https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/below-the-radar-news-from-congress
#ialegis #iagov

Just posted the audio file and detailed written recap from Monday night's episode of "KHOI's Capitol Week."
Lots of Iowa politics news in here:
#IA02 #IA03 #IA01 #IAGov
https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/ia-02-in-play-miller-meeks-ads-iowa

Earlier today, Republican #IAGov candidate Adam Steen celebrated the latest decision to deny the Satanic Temple a permit for a holiday event.
I asked him how the event would harm kids and what other religious beliefs he'd try to keep away from children as governor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EL2ZsKcX7o

Not a headline many folks are used to seeing about a Dem candidate. Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, a bow hunter, shot a deer and donated the meat to a local food bank. Sand is running for #IAGov. cbs2iowa.com/news/local/g...

Over on the other site, #IA04 Rep. Randy Feenstra is embarrassing himself.
(He would love to have Trump's endorsement for his #IAGov campaign, but so far, no dice.)

Who's up early?

Just posted my take on Randy Feenstra's weird, weak rollout as a candidate for governor.

#Iowa #iapolitics #IAGov
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/02/thoughts-on-randy-feenstras-weird-weak-campaign-rollout/

New post: Bruce Lear busts five myths that underlie the DOGE task force recommendations for Iowa's main public pension system. #IPERS #iagov

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/10/29/busting-five-myths-about-ipers/

Randy Feenstra launched his campaign for governor today with a video that spent almost half the time attacking Rob Sand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLmqUgPTHuA

Feenstra's internal polling must suggest that Rob Sand is a real threat in the governor's race.
Last month, a poll (likely commissioned by Feenstra's campaign) tested lots of messages about the two candidates: #IAGov
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/09/18/someone-is-testing-messages-about-randy-feenstra-and-rob-sand/

"Those items will be protected," Governor Kim Reynolds said today when I asked whether she can promise Iowans that collections recently removed from the State Historical Society's Iowa City facility won't be discarded or destroyed.
#Iowa #history #IAGov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uATA-rjbNc

New post: An Iowa poll currently in the field previews attack lines Republicans may use next year against State Auditor Rob Sand in the governor's race.
The question wording suggests Randy Feenstra or some entity supporting him commissioned the poll. #IAGov
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/09/18/someone-is-testing-messages-about-randy-feenstra-and-rob-sand/

New post: Matthew P. Thornburg looked at the #IA04 precinct-level data and concludes that Randy Feenstra’s perceived indifference on the CO2 pipeline offers an opening for rivals in Iowa's upcoming GOP primary for governor. #IAGov
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/07/28/co2-pipeline-politics-in-iowas-2026-gubernatorial-election/

A longtime Iowa politics watcher told me today that this piece was "the most important Iowa news article of 2025."
Democrats need to understand how deep a hole they are in and why it matters for the 2026 #IAGov and #IASen races:
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/06/15/real-talk-on-the-long-odds-facing-iowa-democrats-in-2026/

Iowa AG Brenna Bird told the Des Moines Register today she's not running for governor.

I would guess that someone told her she was not going to get Donald Trump's endorsement. (She wouldn't win a statewide primary without it) #IAGov #iapolitics
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/02/brenna-bird-wont-run-for-iowa-governor-in-2026-election-attorney-general/84446571007/

Intuitively, it seems like if Hubbell only lost by 36,000 votes in 2018, the #IAGov race should be very winnable in another Trump midterm w/ no GOP incumbent on the ballot.

But people need to understand how much the Iowa landscape has changed since 2018.

What would have been a winning turnout and persuasion scenario for Hubbell would not be enough for the Democratic nominee in 2026.

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/06/15/real-talk-on-the-long-odds-facing-iowa-democrats-in-2026/

Just posted my first take on the Iowa Democratic primary for governor between Rob Sand and Julie Stauch.
(with video & highlights from my interviews with both candidates and thoughts on the main challenge facing each one) #IAGov
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/06/09/first-take-on-the-rob-sand-julie-stauch-primary-for-iowa-governor/

Today Sabato's Crystal Ball moved #IASen from Safe Republican to Likely Republican due to Scholten launching his campaign.
The forecaster's other ratings for #Iowa's 2026 elections:
#IAGov likely R
#IA01 toss-up
#IA02 likely R
#IA03 toss-up