Bleeding Heartland

Bleeding Heartland is a community-driven blog that offers original insights and analysis on Iowa's political landscape, focusing on campaigns, elections, and state governance. It also addresses social and environmental matters. Additionally, Bleeding Heartland keeps readers informed about the activities of Iowa's congressional representatives and highlights federal, state, or local policies that may be of interest to those living in Iowa.

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DCI report on Davenport building collapse must be made public

2 days ago | bleedingheartland.com | Ed Tibbetts

DCI report on Davenport building collapse must be made public Tuesday, May 13 2025 0 Comments Ed Tibbetts, a longtime reporter and editor in the Quad-Cities, is the publisher of the Along the Mississippi newsletter, where this article first appeared. Find more of his work at edtibbetts.substack.com. Three months ago, Scott County Attorney Kelly Cunningham said she would not file criminal charges in the partial collapse of a six-story apartment building in downtown Davenport in 2023.
First look at the Sarah Trone Garriott/Jennifer Konfrst primary in IA-03

5 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

6 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.
It's time to cause some good trouble

1 week ago | bleedingheartland.com | Bruce Lear

Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City and has been connected to Iowa’s public schools for 38 years. He taught for eleven years and represented educators as an Iowa State Education Association regional director for 27 years until retiring. He can be reached at [email protected] Author’s note: This is the long play version of a speech I gave during the May Day Rally in Sioux City, sponsored by the “Siouxland Good Trouble Makers.” It rained during my speech, so I did an abbreviated version.
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.
Jewish stakeholders decry use of "antisemitism" to harm Iowa colleges

1 week ago | bleedingheartland.com | Brooklyn Draisey

Jewish stakeholders decry use of "antisemitism" to harm Iowa colleges Wednesday, May 7 2025 0 Comments Brooklyn Draisey is a Report for America corps member covering higher education for Iowa Capital Dispatch, where this article first appeared. A group of Jewish faculty, staff, students, and alumni from colleges and universities across Iowa have penned a letter condemning actions taken against public higher education in the name of fighting antisemitism and protecting the Jewish community.
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.
Bad ideas shouldn't become bad laws

2 weeks ago | bleedingheartland.com | Bruce Lear

Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City and has been connected to Iowa’s public schools for 38 years. He taught for eleven years and represented educators as an Iowa State Education Association regional director for 27 years until retiring. He can be reached at [email protected] Many of us have experienced planning committees where loud, “big idea” people dominate. They’re the ones who believe all their ideas are gold and they’re not shy about sharing their genius.