2026 Election

Early in-person absentee voting for the 2026 election starts Wednesday, Oct. 14. Iowans can start casting their ballots for governor, a U.S. Senate seat, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and other races.

Democrats hoping to flip statewide and congressional seats have been campaigning hard on healthcare issues, hoping to win some needed Republican and independent votes. But what impact it may have on this year's close races is unclear.

On this episode, a conversation with the Republican nominee for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District Joe Mitchell. Mitchell is facing Democratic candidate Lindsay James in the general election. We discuss affordability, the war in Iran, the trade war, how to restore faith in Congress along with other issues. But first, should it take a legislative supermajority to raise your taxes? This November, Iowans will decide whether it should take two-thirds of the legislature — not a simple majority — to raise the state income tax. We explore that proposal with political scientist Karen Kedrowski and hear from an advocate and an opponent of the proposal. (Part of this episode was originally produced Aug. 27, 2026.)

Both candidates say they want Iowa students to succeed. But Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand disagree over who should qualify for education savings accounts and how the money should be monitored.

U.S. Senate candidates Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek faced off on topics such as immigration, healthcare and affordability during an hour-long debate on Iowa PBS.

The candidates for Iowa governor clashed over the political issues Tuesday night while sparring over where Republican Zach Lahn lives and how Democrat Rob Sand funds his campaign.