Mastodawn

#IAGov candidate Randy Feenstra won’t show up to debate, because he can’t defend his record of backing policies that hurt farmers, leave families struggling to afford food, and raise the cost of living. #IApolitics

LauraRBelin Apr 4

New "Iowa Down Ballot" podcast just dropped.

Rob Sand, Zach Lahn, and more:
#Iowa #iapolitics #ialegis #iagov
https://iowawriterscollaborative.substack.com/p/iowa-down-ballot-with-dave-price-125?utm_source=podcast-email&publication_id=1005518&post_id=193126298&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_content=watch_now_button&r=1n5ch0&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 4/4/26

Iowa's Busy Week: Rob Sand's Reform Package, Zach Lahn's Launch, and a Legislature Eyeing the Exit

Iowa Down Ballot

LauraRBelin Apr 1

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley didn't have a "gaggle" last week, but he did take questions from reporters today about a wide range of topics. My video:
#ialegis #Iowa #iapolitics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQsILz3Tpnc

Iowa House speaker takes reporter Qs (April 1, 2026)

YouTube

LauraRBelin Jan 30

Who's up late and wants to read about an #Iowa poll testing messages about the two Democrats running for governor, Rob Sand and Julie Stauch?
#IAGov #iapolitics
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/01/30/someone-is-testing-messages-about-rob-sand-and-julie-stauch/

Someone is testing messages about Rob Sand and Julie Stauch

Laura Belin publishes the questionnaire from a new poll testing dozens of messages about the two Democrats running for governor.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin Jan 12

The Iowa legislature's 2026 session began today.
Here's my "who's who in the Iowa Senate": A page to bookmark, with background on Iowa Senate leaders and committee members from both parties, and changes since 2025 noted. #ialegis #iapolitics
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/01/12/whos-who-in-the-iowa-senate-for-2026-2/

Who's who in the Iowa Senate for 2026

A page to bookmark, with background on Iowa Senate leaders and committee members from both parties, and changes since 2025 noted.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin Jan 1

Just posted my takeaways from yesterday's special election in Iowa Senate district 16.

It's no surprise Renee Hardman won, but we can still learn some things from the lopsided result. #Iowa #iapolitics #ialegis
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/12/31/a-strong-message-four-takeaways-from-renee-hardmans-big-win/

"A strong message": Four takeaways from Renee Hardman's big win

Laura Belin: While Hardman's win was not a surprise, we can learn a few lessons from the lopsided special election result.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin Nov 2, 2025

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/

Thoughts on Randy Feenstra's weird, weak campaign rollout

Laura Belin: For all of his talk about "taking Iowa to new heights," the Republican front-runner's campaign rollout won't get high marks.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin Jul 2, 2025

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/

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird won't run for governor in 2026, plans to seek reelection

It's a decision that surprised some political observers who had expected Bird to jump into the Republican primary to succeed Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The Des Moines Register

LauraRBelin Mar 14, 2025

New post: Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley has denied that GOP leaders threatened to block progress on unrelated legislation as a way to convince reluctant Republican lawmakers to vote for a bill targeting transgender Iowans. #ialegis #LGBTQ #iapolitics
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/03/14/iowa-house-speaker-denies-pressuring-members-over-anti-trans-bill/