As Iowans gear up for the 2026 election, legislators debate the governor’s authority and introduce measures addressing cancer. On Iowa Politics examines how these topics could shape the state’s upcoming political landscape.

A new episode of the On Iowa Politics Podcast brings heated debate over controversial legislation at the Iowa Capitol, along with a surprising proposal to attract an NFL team. Hosted by The Journal’s Jared McNett and Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, the discussion explores the political tensions underpinning state-level policy decisions.

A leading Iowa public-worker union, AFSCME Council 61, plans to announce its endorsement of Rob Sand at a public event in Des Moines on Saturday. This endorsement signals significant support for Sand’s gubernatorial ambitions and underscores the union’s role in shaping Iowa politics.