On Iowa Politics Podcast

Democrats are divided over the caucuses

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, Iowa Democrats are divided over the caucuses, yet another multi-candidate event without Randy Feenstra, the Iowa Supreme Court sides with Rob Sand, and more. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Iowa Supreme Court rules state auditor's office can represent itself in Davenport case [https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_0a490601-2683-42d4-99ee-c1e372078701.html]: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_0a490601-2683-42d4-99ee-c1e372078701.html [https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_0a490601-2683-42d4-99ee-c1e372078701.html]  Feenstra misses another Iowa GOP forum, gets criticized by Republicans and Dems [https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_043d9e82-ee33-4e4b-90ce-4a58d6ba8307.html]: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_043d9e82-ee33-4e4b-90ce-4a58d6ba8307.html [https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_043d9e82-ee33-4e4b-90ce-4a58d6ba8307.html]  Party survey shows Iowa Democrats split on whether to 'go rogue' in 2028 nominating process [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_86f9a365-cf16-4739-87f9-5854a318994f.html]: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_86f9a365-cf16-4739-87f9-5854a318994f.html [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_86f9a365-cf16-4739-87f9-5854a318994f.html]  Wendy Larson wins special election for Iowa House District 7 [https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_3935b2e8-e5a5-4b2e-8625-3c40c018e231.html]: https://siouxcityjournal.com/search/#:~:text=Wendy%20Larson%20wins%20special%20election%20for%20Iowa%20House%20District%207 [https://siouxcityjournal.com/search/#:~:text=Wendy%20Larson%20wins%20special%20election%20for%20Iowa%20House%20District%207]  National Democrats set sights on Iowa Legislature in 2026 [https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/campaign-almanac-national-democrats-add-iowa-house-senate-to-2026-target-map/]: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/campaign-almanac-national-democrats-add-iowa-house-senate-to-2026-target-map/ [https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/campaign-almanac-national-democrats-add-iowa-house-senate-to-2026-target-map/]  This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

IPERS CEO talks DOGE recommendations

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 IPERS CEO talks about those DOGE recommendations, the Satanic Temple’s display at the Iowa Capitol is back in the news, and Randy Feenstra addresses his lack of attendance at multi-candidate events. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal. 1:27 IPERS chief open to review, but urges caution on new retirement option: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/ipers-chief-open-to-review-but-urges-caution-on-new-retirement-option/ 6:56 Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol denied by state officials for second year in a row: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_789d171a-7efb-4d6e-a27d-c01bf56d4d82.html 15:38 Feenstra says he plans to appear with other candidates at future GOP events: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_776156eb-90f5-4da2-8769-b7e837c21aa3.html 22:25 Bettendorf parents, educators tell Iowa Democrats of chilling effect of Iowa laws: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_7e0d7fd1-c9dc-40a9-8f40-d634659fa10b.html This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

On Iowa Politics Podcast: Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten Interview

Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy sat down with Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 for the second in a series of 1:1 interviews with political and government leaders in Iowa.  This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds talks property taxes

This week on the podcast we discuss Gov. Reynolds talking property taxes, THC drink limits in the government funding bill, a potential Democratic candidate for state ag secretary, and the Iowa delegation’s votes on the Epstein files. 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 episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read stories featured in this episode: Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to introduce property tax proposal during next legislative session [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_171e89cc-bae9-43f2-a79a-2efb867e3f16.html]: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_171e89cc-bae9-43f2-a79a-2efb867e3f16.html [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_171e89cc-bae9-43f2-a79a-2efb867e3f16.html] 'It would all go away': Iowa hemp retailers 'frustrated' by new law restricting products [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_05f5bf06-f892-41b2-a1ed-325aa7ab7eba.html]: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_05f5bf06-f892-41b2-a1ed-325aa7ab7eba.html [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_05f5bf06-f892-41b2-a1ed-325aa7ab7eba.html] Iowa's congressional delegation votes to release Epstein files [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1b5368b6-3cab-4190-8f2d-5f063363eb4f.html]: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1b5368b6-3cab-4190-8f2d-5f063363eb4f.html [https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1b5368b6-3cab-4190-8f2d-5f063363eb4f.html] This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Get daily Iowa politics updates by signing up for the free On Iowa Politics Newsletter. (https://subscribepage.io/oniowapolitics [https://subscribepage.io/oniowapolitics]) Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meek’s in-person town hall review

This week, we discuss Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ fiery return to in-person town halls, Randy Feenstra’s campaign launch for governor, how Iowa Democrats messaged on health care access in the final days of the shutdown, a recount in Davenport under Iowa’s new recount laws, and a ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court in the Davenport building collapse case. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman. Read stories featured in this episode: Booing, heckling and walkouts mark Miller-Meeks’ town hall in Keosauqua: https://www.thegazette.com/federal-government/booing-heckling-and-walkouts-mark-miller-meeks-town-hall-in-keosauqua/ Feenstra sets sights on Rob Sand at Sioux Center tour launch for governor: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/feenstra-sets-sights-on-rob-sand-at-sioux-center-tour-launch-for-governor/ Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate candidates urge party to hold the line on health care subsidies: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/iowa-democratic-u-s-senate-candidates-urge-party-to-hold-the-line-on-health-care-subsidies/ Scott County to recount Davenport City Council 7th Ward race:https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_939af492-dca0-4291-b326-590b42fe81ff.html Iowa Supreme Court rules Davenport employees can be sued after 2023 building collapse: https://www.thegazette.com/crime-courts/iowa-supreme-court-rules-davenport-employees-can-be-sued-after-2023-building-collapse/ This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Get daily Iowa politics updates by signing up for the free On Iowa Politics Newsletter. Comments: tom.barton@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com