On Iowa Politics Podcast

The Gazette
  • 5.0 (1)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Iowa political reporters and columnists meet weekly to discuss the latest news and analyze what's happening in Iowa politics. Think in-depth updates from the Iowa Legislature and the campaign trail. This podcast is recorded and produced by The Gazette in Cedar Rapids and features journalists from news organizations across the state.

  1. 5d ago

    Do Running Mates Matter? Edition

    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, Rob Sand has a running mate, more ballot challenges featuring Libertarian candidates, and Iowa’s executive branch switches IT services. That last story is more interesting than it sounds, trust us. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. This episode was produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. Read the articles featured in this episode: Western Iowa farmer picked as Democrat Rob Sand’s running mate for Iowa governor Name confusion leads to challenge of Iowa Libertarian candidate Reynolds defends Iowa IT outsourcing plan, says jobs will stay in Iowa

    24 min

  2. Jun 4

    2026 Primary Election Review

    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 On Iowa Politics podcast, we review the 2026 Primary Election. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal, and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Lahn tops Feenstra for GOP nomination How did Zach Lahn win Iowa’s GOP gubernatorial primary? Iowa primary takeaways: Democrats see opening, economy dominates and Lahn reshapes governor’s race Turek wins Democratic nomination for Iowa U.S. Senate seat, setting up showdown with Hinson Miller-Meeks, Bohannan advance to rematch in Iowa's 1st District race Adam Peters defeats incumbent Ken Croken in Iowa House District 97 race King counties from 2020 Fourth District primary stayed with Lahn in gubernatorial primary Dave Rowley survives primary challenge from human trafficking lecturer Stacy Besch Chris Cournoyer advances in tight Iowa auditor primary

    48 min

  3. May 28

    2026 Primary Election Preview Edition

    This week on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we preview Iowa’s primary election coming up on Tuesday, June 2, including the gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, 2nd Congressional District and 1st Congressional District races. 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 Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton and Gazette opinion columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Read the articles mentioned in this episode: (1:22) Here are the 5 Republicans who want to be Iowa’s next governor (17:54) Meet the Iowa Democrats running for U.S. Senate (25:43) Meet the Iowa Republicans running for U.S. Senate (32:15) Meet the Democrats running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District seat Meet the Democratic candidates running for Iowa's 1st Congressional District

    45 min

  4. May 21

    Discussing Iowa gubernatorial candidates’ fundraising

    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, we take a peek inside the latest round of fundraising by Iowa’s gubernatorial candidates, one last debate in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, and the latest on a Western Iowa native’s testimony about Jeffrey Epstein. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman. This episode was produced by Gazette social video producer Bailey Cichon. Read stories mentioned in this week’s episode: (2:09) Ted Waitt said he found Epstein 'off-putting'; wasn't aware of wrongdoing by Maxwell (9:27) Zach Lahn tops Randy Feenstra in latest fundraising for Iowa Republican governor hopefuls (24:35) Zach Wahls, Josh Turek debate electability, policy in lead-up to primary (28:20) Opinion: Chuck Schumer looms over Iowa Democratic Senate primary

    35 min

  5. May 14

    Discussing Iowa’s upcoming Democratic primaries

    This week, there’s a lot going on in Democratic primaries for Iowa’s 2nd District and the U.S. Senate. 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 Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Read the stories talked about in this episode: (2:00) Tom Harkin endorses Josh Turek in Democratic Senate primary Pete Buttigieg endorses Turek in Iowa Dems’ Senate primary (8:25) Zach Wahls campaigns in Bettendorf Iowa primary Warren tells Iowa Democrats: ‘We need you’ in fight for Senate control (20:48) Iowa Democrats target affordability, Trump and corporate influence in U.S. House race

    33 min

  6. May 12

    The Gazette's Pints & Politics - April 23, 2026

    Pints & Politics is a year-round gathering featuring The Gazette and special guests from across the state and party lines. National, state, and local issues are covered, with opportunities to zone in on the latest headlines. Attendees participate in audience polls, submit questions, and enjoy time with some of their favorite journalists, columnists, and guests! This beloved event and lively conversation invite attendees to learn more about the issues impacting their community. The Gazette and Presenting Sponsor Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors hosted this Pints & Politics event on April 23, 2026. This event was held at CSPS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This event’s panel included The Gazette’s Todd Dorman, Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy, Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton, and The Gazette's Executive Editor Zack Kucharski, who moderated the session.

    1h 29m

  7. May 7

    Primary election debates 2026 edition

    This week, we’ll talk about primary election debates in Iowa’s open-seat elections for governor and the U.S. Senate, and of course we’ll revisit the marathon shutdown of the 2026 legislative session. 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 Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal. It features Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy, Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnist Althea Cole. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: (1:53) Dispatches from Des Moines: A bittersweet reflection and farewell (2:00) Marathon, 2-day session finishes Iowa lawmakers’ 2026 work (11:50) What’s in Iowa’s property tax legislation? (16:15) Abortion policy distinctions drawn in Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary debate (25:46) Zach Wahls, Josh Turek clash on immigration, outside spending

    42 min

  8. Apr 24

    Iowa Legislative Session winds down

    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 Iowa Supreme Court issued a ruling in a case involving the City of Davenport and the Iowa Auditor’s Office. Plus, the Iowa Legislature is winding down as the 100th day of session comes and goes. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Iowa Supreme Court rules for Davenport in case on auditor access to closed session records https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_ecebb8c9-4d42-454d-8c34-33a3db9d930b.html 7:09 As 100th day passes, Iowa lawmakers’ work on property taxes, eminent domain unfinished https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/as-100th-day-passes-iowa-lawmakers-work-on-property-taxes-eminent-domain-unfinished/article_7c15db95-de47-4c48-a9f9-f4384b9421a9.html Iowa lawmakers see session’s end in sight https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/iowa-lawmakers-see-session-s-end-in-sight/article_80abff74-ff60-453e-a3bf-d6439da97ec3.html

    31 min
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Iowa political reporters and columnists meet weekly to discuss the latest news and analyze what's happening in Iowa politics. Think in-depth updates from the Iowa Legislature and the campaign trail. This podcast is recorded and produced by The Gazette in Cedar Rapids and features journalists from news organizations across the state.

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