Politics and government news

What government is actually doing — laws and executive action, budgets and taxes, housing, schools, health, courts, public safety, transport, energy, voting and campaigns — across Washington, the states and city hall. Filter below or page through the full archive.

30 stories · page 1 of 1

News · IA

Team mix-up drives viral moment at Jack Smith hearing

Education

Sen. Eric Schmitt accused Jack Smith of lying under oath after confusing the Iowa Hawkeyes with the Atlanta Hawks.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · IA

Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant

Economy and jobs

The new law raises Iowa’s tax incentive ceiling for a steel plant valued at billion, expanding the amount the project may qualify for.

The Ballot Iowa DeskOct 4, 2026

News · IA

Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant

Economy and jobs

The new law raises the tax-incentive ceiling connected to a steel plant valued at billion.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Candidate profile: Chris Mcgowan in Iowa’s 4th District

Elections and voting

Republican Chris Mcgowan is among 12 candidates in Iowa’s contested 4th District U.S. House race in 2026.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskOct 1, 2026

News · IA

Iowa lawmakers weigh MEGA changes for steel plant

Economy and jobs

A special session will consider changing Iowa’s large-project incentive program for a proposed billion steel plant in Lee County.

The Ballot Iowa DeskOct 1, 2026

News · IA

Right-wing figures object to Indian role in Iowa steel plant

Economy and jobs

Trump announced a billion Iowa steel plant as the White House highlighted plans for 1,750 jobs.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskOct 1, 2026

News · IA

Iowa steel project faces tests after Foxconn comparison

Housing

A Trump aide says demand for steel separates the proposed Lee County complex from Wisconsin’s smaller-than-promised Foxconn development.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · IA

Iowa 2026 page pairs races with presidential history

Elections and voting

The Iowa election page combines a broad look at 2026 races with historical presidential results but identifies no specific contest or candidate.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · IA

Heartland Republicans break with Trump over Iran war

Energy and environment

Republicans in Iowa, Michigan and Ohio are calling for a quick end to the Iran war as high fuel prices raise election concerns.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskSep 26, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Candidate profile: Randall Feenstra in Iowa’s 4th District

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Randall Feenstra is one of 12 candidates in Iowa’s contested 4th District race in 2026.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · IA

Iowa judge dismisses Trump suit against paper, pollster

Elections and voting

The judge cited First Amendment protections in dismissing Trump’s late-2024 lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and J. Ann Selzer.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskSep 25, 2026

News · IA

Iowa Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit Over Register Poll

Elections and voting

The case challenged a pre-election poll showing Donald Trump behind Kamala Harris, and the judge warned about effects on news reporting.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 25, 2026

News · IA

Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit over 2024 Iowa poll

Elections and voting

The case followed Trump’s claims that an Iowa poll was inaccurate and deliberately designed to hurt him politically.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 24, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Candidate profile: Jermaine Decker in Iowa’s 4th District

Elections and voting

Decker, listed with the affiliation UN, is running for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskSep 24, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Candidate profile: Dave Dawson in Iowa’s 4th District

Elections and voting

Democrat Dave Dawson is among 12 candidates in Iowa’s contested 4th District U.S. House race in 2026.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 21, 2026

News · IA

Iowa income tax amendment draws competing advocacy

Economy and jobs

Advocates on both sides held events Thursday seeking more voter attention for a proposed income tax constitutional amendment.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 19, 2026

News · IA

Zach Lahn calls for cutting Iowa’s gas tax in half

Economy and jobs

Lahn says a 50% reduction in Iowa’s gas tax would ease fuel costs, with key implementation and budget details still to be set.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · IA

Turek, Hinson outline different responses to fuel costs

Energy and environment

With Iowa diesel above a gallon, Josh Turek is proposing federal tax and reserve steps while Ashley Hinson emphasizes biofuels and U.S. production.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · IA

Iowa City council narrowly approves downtown police unit

Public safety

A closely divided Iowa City council approved a new police unit focused on downtown public safety.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 17, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Candidate profile: Ashley Hinson Arenholz in Iowa's 2nd

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Ashley Hinson Arenholz is one of 12 candidates listed in Iowa's contested 2026 race for the 2nd Congressional District.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 16, 2026

News · IA

Distribution of Iowa Meta Settlement Funds Announced

Elections and voting

An announcement addresses the distribution of Iowa funds from a settlement involving Meta, with no election or candidate directly connected.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · IA

Des Moines council approves $11.5 million budget package

Economy and jobs

The package cuts staff and programs while raising fee revenue as the city prepares for limits on property tax growth.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 15, 2026

News · IA

Iowa PBS sets debate dates for major Iowa races

Elections and voting

The public broadcaster announced debate dates for Iowa governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate contests.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskSep 13, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Candidate profile: Grant D Hill in Iowa’s 1st District

Elections and voting

Republican Grant D Hill is running in the contested 2026 general election for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 11, 2026

News · IA

Poll: Sand leads Lahn; Hinson leads Turek in Iowa

Elections and voting

A poll puts Sand ahead of Lahn for governor and Hinson ahead of Turek in the Senate contest, offering a snapshot rather than an election result.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 3, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Clinton Gene Twedt-ball runs for Iowa’s 2nd District

Elections and voting

Democrat Clinton Gene Twedt-ball is among 12 candidates in Iowa’s contested 2nd District race on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 1, 2026

News · IA

Iowa Democrats weigh a working-class appeal

Elections and voting

The state party can test messages and organizing choices, but a national shift would require clear action and evidence that voters respond.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskAug 31, 2026

Race preview · IA

Who is running for U.S. Senate in Iowa in 2026?

Elections and voting

Twelve candidates across three parties are in Iowa’s contested U.S. Senate race, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskAug 26, 2026

News · IA

Cook shifts Iowa and Texas governor ratings toward Democrats

Elections and voting

The Cook Political Report moved its assessments of the Iowa and Texas governor’s races in a direction more favorable to Democrats.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskAug 21, 2026

News · IA

Report labels two Iowa statewide races differently

Elections and voting

An unidentified organization rates Iowa’s Senate contest a “toss-up” and the governor’s race “leans Democrat,” but has not published polling or explained its methodology.

The Ballot Iowa DeskAug 20, 2026