New "Iowa Down Ballot" dropped!
Dave, Kathie, and I discussed House members grilling Des Moines Public School officials, an explosive House subcommittee meeting, bills related to nursing homes, and some news from the #IA04 and #IAGov races.
https://iowawriterscollaborative.substack.com/p/iowa-down-ballot-with-dave-price-a4f
Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 2/7/26

Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland and Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch are back with Dave this week to discuss the *busy* week in Iowa politics.

Iowa Down Ballot

New post: The bill that ended the government shutdown included $16 million in funding for Iowa projects.
I broke down the $$ secured for #IA01, #IA02, and #IA03.
(#IA04 will get nothing again, because Randy Feenstra doesn't submit earmark requests)

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/17/funding-bill-includes-16-million-for-earmarked-iowa-projects/

Funding bill includes $16 million for earmarked Iowa projects

Laura Belin reviews the Iowa projects funded in the bill that ended the recent federal government shutdown.

Bleeding Heartland
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.)
'Tis the season for U.S. House and Senate candidates to announce their 3Q fundraising totals.
My longstanding editorial policy is never to write campaign finance stories until the full FEC filing is available online. (The deadline is October 15)
#IASen #IA01 #IA02 #IA03 #IA04
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/
CO2 pipeline politics in Iowa's 2026 gubernatorial election

Matthew P. Thornburg: Randy Feenstra’s perceived indifference on the CO2 pipeline offers an opening for GOP primary rivals.

Bleeding Heartland
I mentioned on my radio show/podcast that I didn't see State Senator Lynn Evans raising the $$ he'd need to compete in an #IA04 primary.
https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-angles-on-bbb-trump-rally-in
Sure enough, he's ruling out that race now that two well-funded Rs are running.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/09/iowa-republican-lynn-evans-wont-run-iowa-4th-district/84521706007/
Iowa angles on BBB, Trump rally in DSM, Windschitl in, Bird out

July 7 edition of "KHOI's Capitol Week"

Iowa politics with Laura Belin
#IA04 Randy Feenstra (R): Won by 34.3% ~33,000 ACA exchange enrollees are at risk. ~45,000 Medicaid expansion* enrollees are at risk. *(aka IHAWP)
#IA04's Randy Feenstra doesn't normally have to worry about getting re-elected in a safe red district.
But if he becomes the 2026 nominee for #IAGov, get ready for ads highlighting how many Iowans lost their health insurance b/c of this vote:
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/05/22/house-republicans-vote-to-take-food-health-care-away-from-iowans/
House Republicans vote to take food, health care away from Iowans

Laura Belin: Tens of thousands of Iowans would lose their health insurance, food assistance, or both under the "big, beautiful bill."

Bleeding Heartland
New post: Tens of thousands of Iowans would lose health insurance, food assistance, or both under the "big, beautiful bill" House Republicans just approved.
I pulled together some estimates of the impact on Iowans living in #IA01, #IA02, #IA03, #IA04.
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/05/22/house-republicans-vote-to-take-food-health-care-away-from-iowans/
House Republicans vote to take food, health care away from Iowans

Laura Belin: Tens of thousands of Iowans would lose their health insurance, food assistance, or both under the "big, beautiful bill."

Bleeding Heartland
State Rep Steven Holt confirmed today he is considering running for Congress in #IA04: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1091078269498364&id=100057886038799&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=Vy3HJIslFWugnCtD
(Randy Feenstra appears to be running for governor, though I have no idea how he thinks he can win a statewide primary)
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