Iowa Republicans rejected a candidate President Donald Trump endorsed for governor. On this politics day episode, we dive into the primary results. Political scientists Donna Hoffman of the University of Northern Iowa and Kelly Shaw of Iowa State University analyze these results and look ahead to the midterms. They also discuss the Senate race and the competition in Iowa Congressional Districts.
Courtesy of candidates
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Graphic by Nicole Baxter / Iowa Public Radio
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During a candidate forum in Sioux City, three Democrats competing for a chance to flip Iowa’s most conservative congressional district highlighted shared priorities more than sharp differences ahead of the June 2 primary. -
King Charles addresses Congress as global tensions and domestic uncertainty collide in a packed politics hour. From a fragile Iran ceasefire to Iowa’s MAHA bill and a surprise gubernatorial endorsement, political scientists Jim McCormick and Megan Goldberg break down the latest political news. -
A fragile ceasefire came just hours after a threat to destroy a civilization. On this episode, we examine shifting attitudes toward the war in Iran and what it means for U.S. policy, with insights from political experts Jonathan Hassid and Megan Goldberg. They also break down a federal appeals court decision allowing enforcement of Iowa's book ban law. Plus, how political narratives intersect with major national moments, from the role of Artemis II in shaping presidential legacy and to intensifying Iowa primary races.
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The U.S. House voted to repeal President Trump’s tariffs on Canada without support from Iowa's four Republican representatives. Canada is one of the largest agricultural trade partners with the U.S. and is a top export market for tractors and farm equipment made in Iowa. -
Former Ambassador George Kent spent 33 years in the foreign service, serving twice in diplomatic roles in Ukraine, and most recently as the ambassador to Estonia. He notably gave testimony in the 2019 House impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. Host Ben Kieffer spoke with the diplomat while he visited Des Moines this week, speaking to the Greater Des Moines Committee on Foreign Relations. They spoke on several topics, including his cross-country bicycle ride, his termination from the federal government and what he calls the "decimation" of the United States' professional foreign service being carried out by President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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Analysts discuss the top political headlines of the week, including immigration crackdowns and election security.
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Republicans running for governor and the 4th Congressional District highlighted their conservative viewpoints during a forum in western Iowa. Some candidates expressed concern that U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who is running for governor, didn’t attend. -
Iowa’s Congressional delegation voted to release the Epstein files, after Trump gave the green lightPolitical analysts Megan Goldberg and Kelly Shaw break down why Iowa’s delegation waited for Trump’s approval before voting to release the Epstein files — plus insight on support for ACA subsidies, Texas redistricting, the farm bill and more.
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The One Big Beautiful Bill includes sweeping changes to Medicaid, and is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to increase the number of people uninsured by 10 million. We hear from Des Moines resident who insured by Medicaid about what these changes could mean for him, including new work requirements. Then, we hear more about how this overhaul will impact Iowans from UI professor and Rural Policy Research Director Keith Mueller. We also talk with a rural hospital administrator about how they expect to lose millions of dollars annually due to these changes, and we hear from a rural Emergency Medical Services responder on how this could widen the financial deficit they already face when providing care to Medicaid patients.
