Laura Belin

Windsor Heights

publisher and Editor at Bleeding Heartland

Statehouse Correspondent at KHOI-FM (Ames, IA)

Reporter, commentator covering Iowa politics for the progressive website Bleeding Heartland. Co-host of "KHOI's Capitol Week," available on podcast platforms.

Articles

First look at the Sarah Trone Garriott/Jennifer Konfrst primary in IA-03

3 days ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

Two Democrats launched campaigns this past week in Iowa’s third Congressional district, one of the party’s top 2026 pickup opportunities in the U.S. House. Republican Representative Zach Nunn held off challenger Lanon Baccam in 2024, winning by roughly the same four-point margin by which Donald Trump carried the district.
"A little more aggressive"-a first look at Brian Meyer as House minority leader

5 days ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

“We have to take our message to the voters,” State Representative Brian Meyer told reporters on May 8, soon after his Democratic colleagues elected him to be the chamber’s next minority leader. State Representative Jennifer Konfrst has led Iowa House Democrats since June 2021 but is stepping down from that role once the legislature adjourns for the year. She announced on May 8 that she’s running for Congress in Iowa’s third district.
Former Iowa judges condemn Trump administration's attacks on judiciary

1 week ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

Two Iowa jurists are among more than 150 former state and federal judges who wrote to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi this week “to condemn the Trump Administration’s attacks on the judiciary,” including the April 25 arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. Former U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett served in the Northern District of Iowa from 1994 to 2019, when he retired.
First Dem announces in IA-03; Republicans at odds on budget, property rights

1 week ago | laurabelin.substack.com | Laura Belin

I thought 2026 campaign season would heat up after the Iowa legislature’s 2025 session wound down. But the dysfunctional Republican trifecta may be weeks away from resolving their differences over the state budget and eminent domain. I expect more candidate announcements before the Iowa House and Senate have finished their work for this year. Most of the time, I would rather be covering the state government or legislature than election news, though both can be fun. Which do you prefer?
Ashley Hinson clings to Donald Trump with an eye toward 2028

1 week ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

Ashley Hinson clings to Donald Trump with an eye toward 2028 Sunday, May 4 2025 0 Comments President Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in the White House have brought the U.S. an economy weakened by tariffs, a depreciating dollar, and the worst stock market performance during a new presidency since 1974. Trump now has historically low approval ratings, even on his handling of the economy—which had long been his strongest public opinion metric.
A text poll tested these positive messages about Rob Sand

2 weeks ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

State Auditor Rob Sand hasn’t made his 2026 plans official. But a text poll that was recently in the field is another data point suggesting he will run for governor. A Bleeding Heartland reader provided screenshots of the survey. Many of the questions test messages about Sand without naming him. Other questions seek to gauge how strongly Iowa voters feel about a series of policies or issues affecting the state.
Another Democratic overperformance as Angel Ramirez wins House district 78

2 weeks ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

Another Democratic overperformance as Angel Ramirez wins House district 78 Wednesday, Apr 30 2025 0 Comments Democrat Angel Ramirez will soon be the first Latina to serve in the Iowa legislature, after winning the April 29 special election in House district 78 by a commanding margin. Ramirez outperformed the partisan lean of the district, defeating Republican Bernie Hayes by 2,742 votes to 721 (79.0 percent to 20.8 percent), according to unofficial results from all precincts.
Governor's office sues DM Register; new candidates for governor and auditor

2 weeks ago | laurabelin.substack.com | Laura Belin

I had an anxiety dream last week that I was out somewhere on a Monday and couldn’t make it home for my live radio show at 7:00 PM. So I was a little nervous about going to the open house for Planned Parenthood’s newly expanded Susan Knapp Health Center in the Drake neighborhood of Des Moines yesterday. But I got home in plenty of time, and it was well worth attending the event.
First take on Kevin Techau's chances against Ashley Hinson in IA-02

2 weeks ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

“It’s not about left/right, Democrat/Republicans, it’s about doing the right thing,” Kevin Techau told me on April 17, the day he launched his campaign for Congress in Iowa’s second district. “I think my record supports that that’s been the direction of my career.”IA-02 wasn’t on either party’s target list in 2024. But Techau has potential to mount a serious challenge to three-term U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson. This analysis assumes Hinson will run for re-election to the U.S. House.
Grassley: "I just don't understand" why Hegseth texted family about Yemen strike

2 weeks ago | bleedingheartland.com | Laura Belin

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley has avoided public criticism of President Donald Trump’s cabinet members. But in an unscripted moment this week, he questioned why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had texted family members about a planned military operation.