Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks review another busy week in Iowa politics, starting with the Libertarian candidates for governor and lieutenant governor challenging the decision to exclude them from the ballot, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s phone calls urging Iowa Libertarians to end their Congressional campaigns. They also discussed a GOP firm's new poll of Iowa's statewide races, messaging from the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor and attorney general, and some important votes by the Iowans in Congress. Other topics covered: the renewed controversy over Governor Kim Reynolds' use of COVID relief funds to pay staff salaries, a federal court ruling related to Iowa's new restrictions on food people can by with SNAP benefits, and an Iowa Supreme Court ruling about a former domestic abuser's gun rights.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news from Iowa's U.S. Senate race: a poll showing a small lead for Josh Turek, a conservative group already spending for Ashley Hinson, and trouble on Hinson's right flank. Next, several governor's race updates: "Rob-publicans," Rob Sand town halls, Zach Lahn on his residency and the "uniparty," TV ads from both sides, and developments related to Derek Wulf, the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor. On the anniversary of important court rulings about abortion, they covered the possible impact of abortion in Iowa's 2026 campaigns. Other topics covered: Iowa's best bellwether county, a ratings change for IA-02, Zach Nunn's first TV ad in IA-03, and the state auditor's report on Iowa's school voucher program.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent about half of this show covering the governor's race, including several angles related to Republican nominee Zach Lahn choosing Derek Wulf to be his running mate, such as Wulf's support for pesticide immunity legislation, some legal and financial difficulties related to his farm, and controversy related to his voter registration. Other topics covered: President Trump backing away from his Randy Feenstra endorsement, challenges to three Libertarians running for governor or Congress, allegations that Republicans pressured the Libertarians to drop out, the Iowa Democratic Party's state convention, and Republican criticism of the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.