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 discuss President Trump’s visit to Iowa and so much more: 2026 election shakeups, Republican gubernatorial primary forums, a legislative forum and more.

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 Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the articles mentioned in this episode:

Iowa Quad-Cities lawmakers look to ramp up energy production in the state: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_9266bc38-061b-4b74-ac9e-0d7f88a97fa2.html

Four Republican gubernatorial candidates lay out priorities during Eldridge forum: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_0c1232a3-3fd0-41d8-b594-83e8c242eff8.html

Campaign Almanac: Wettach pivots to auditor race; Lundgren halts U.S. House bid: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/campaign-almanac-iowa-democrat-ending-congressional-bid-to-run-for-state-auditor/

Hundreds of Iowans hear Trump’s call for midterm election support: https://www.thegazette.com/federal-government/hundreds-of-iowans-hear-trumps-call-for-midterm-election-support-as-thousands-more-protest-his-appe/

Cold weather, hot anger greet Trump in Clive: https://www.thegazette.com/federal-government/thousands-protest-immigration-enforcement-as-trump-visits-clive/

5 takeaways from Trump's Iowa visit: Dems made up 'affordability,' no governor endorsement: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1f005c2c-c847-4f9e-83f3-1001a18c1a40.html

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

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