LauraRBelinFeb 9, 2025
ICYMI: MAGA Republican David Pautsch confirmed to me he will run against Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 2026 GOP primary for #IA01.
He had a lot to say about the incumbent and the #IAGOP establishment more broadly.
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/02/07/interview-david-pautsch-previews-next-primary-race-against-miller-meeks/
Interview: David Pautsch previews next primary race against Miller-Meeks

MAGA Republican David Pautsch spoke to Laura Belin about his plans for a rematch against U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in 2026.

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelinJan 5, 2025
Just posted: I analyzed the debut digital ad from Joshua Smith, who plans to run against Senator Joni Ernst in Iowa's 2026 GOP primary.
#IASen #Iowa #IAGOP
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/01/04/you-suck-joni-gop-primary-challenger-launches-first-digital-ad/
"You suck, Joni!" GOP primary challenger launches first digital ad

Laura Belin analyzes the opening salvo from Joshua Smith, who plans to run against Joni Ernst in Iowa's 2026 GOP primary.

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelinOct 25, 2024

New post: GOP primary challenger Kevin Virgil made made waves in August when he urged like-minded Republicans to vote for Donald Trump and Democrat Ryan Melton for Congress.

He didn't follow that path when he cast his own ballot today. #IA04 #IAGOP
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/10/24/gop-challenger-kevin-virgil-didnt-follow-own-ticket-splitting-advice/

GOP challenger Kevin Virgil didn't follow own ticket-splitting advice

Laura Belin: The conservative Republican wrote in his own name for Congress, instead of voting for Donald Trump and Democrat Ryan Melton.

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelinJan 18, 2024
New post by me: Governor Kim Reynolds should have known it was far too late to convince Iowa Republicans to abandon Donald Trump.
#iacaucus #IAGOP
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/01/17/honestly-what-did-kim-reynolds-expect/
Honestly, what did Kim Reynolds expect?

Laura Belin: Iowa's governor should have known it was far too late to convince the GOP base to abandon Donald Trump.

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelinJan 12, 2024
New post: Dan Guild puts Donald Trump's lead in context and examines late surges by presidential candidates before past Iowa caucuses.
#iacaucus #IAGOP
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/01/12/an-iowa-caucus-like-no-other/
An Iowa caucus like no other?

Dan Guild puts Donald Trump's lead in context and examines late surges by presidential candidates before past Iowa caucuses.

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelinDec 20, 2023

Americans for Prosperity Action sent numerous anti-Trump mailings to Iowa Republicans this year.

Pro-Haley lit funded by the group now hitting Iowa mailboxes. #IAGOP #iacaucus

LauraRBelinAug 12, 2023
New post: Tom Walton shows how State Rep David Young’s campaign over-spent but under-performed in 2022. Democrats should be able to win Iowa House district 28 with the right candidate. #ialegis #IAGOP
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2023/08/11/david-youngs-narrow-win-in-house-district-28-cost-everyone-too-much/
David Young’s narrow win in House district 28 cost everyone too much

Tom Walton chairs the Dallas County Democrats, was a Democratic primary candidate for Iowa House district 28 in 2022, and is an attorney. In the 2022 election for Iowa House district 28, Republican David Young showed up again in Iowa politics,...

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelinJul 8, 2023
Scoop: A group registered less than two weeks ago in Iowa paid for a mailing that "thanks" Donald Trump "for standing up for LGBTQ+ rights!"
#Iowa #IAGOP #iacaucus #LGBTQ #trans
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2023/07/08/iowa-mailer-thanks-donald-trump-for-pro-lgbtq-stances/
Iowa mailer “thanks” Donald Trump for pro-LGBTQ stances

July seems early for Iowa caucus dirty tricks, but desperate times call for desperate measures. As most polls show former President Donald Trump with a comfortable lead among Republicans in Iowa and nationwide, a mailing sent to some Iowa households this...

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelinMay 15, 2023
Just posted my thoughts on Ron DeSantis' good weekend in Iowa.
(Post includes full lists of state legislators backing DeSantis or Trump, with details on who they endorsed before previous Iowa caucuses, where applicable) #iacaucus #IAGOP
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2023/05/14/ron-desantis-shows-early-strength-in-iowa/
Ron DeSantis shows early strength in Iowa

The weekend could hardly have gone better for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Although he has not formally launched his presidential campaign, he landed more Iowa legislative endorsements than any other GOP candidate has had in decades. He drew large crowds...

Bleeding Heartland
Flyover ProjectMar 11, 2023
T.V. nooze making the shrimping of the #IAGOP seem benign.