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, Iowa Democrats are divided over the caucuses, yet another multi-candidate event without Randy Feenstra, the Iowa Supreme Court sides with Rob Sand, and more.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

Iowa Supreme Court rules state auditor's office can represent itself in Davenport case: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_0a490601-2683-42d4-99ee-c1e372078701.html

Feenstra misses another Iowa GOP forum, gets criticized by Republicans and Dems: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_043d9e82-ee33-4e4b-90ce-4a58d6ba8307.html

Party survey shows Iowa Democrats split on whether to 'go rogue' in 2028 nominating process: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_86f9a365-cf16-4739-87f9-5854a318994f.html

Wendy Larson wins special election for Iowa House District 7: https://siouxcityjournal.com/search/#:~:text=Wendy%20Larson%20wins%20special%20election%20for%20Iowa%20House%20District%207

National Democrats set sights on Iowa Legislature in 2026: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/campaign-almanac-national-democrats-add-iowa-house-senate-to-2026-target-map/

This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

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 IPERS CEO talks about those DOGE recommendations, the Satanic Temple’s display at the Iowa Capitol is back in the news, and Randy Feenstra addresses his lack of attendance at multi-candidate events.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal.

1:27 IPERS chief open to review, but urges caution on new retirement option: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/ipers-chief-open-to-review-but-urges-caution-on-new-retirement-option/

6:56 Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol denied by state officials for second year in a row: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_789d171a-7efb-4d6e-a27d-c01bf56d4d82.html

15:38 Feenstra says he plans to appear with other candidates at future GOP events: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_776156eb-90f5-4da2-8769-b7e837c21aa3.html

22:25 Bettendorf parents, educators tell Iowa Democrats of chilling effect of Iowa laws: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_7e0d7fd1-c9dc-40a9-8f40-d634659fa10b.html

This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy sat down with Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 for the second in a series of 1:1 interviews with political and government leaders in Iowa.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon.

Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com