Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
“Iowa Republicans will hold their nominating process caucus first in 2028, and potential Republican candidates are already visiting Iowa, bringing with them the national media spotlight. The perceptions of Democrats abandoning rural America and Iowa continues to be a difficult narrative to overcome, especially when significant Republican funding pours into our state.” — Iowa Rep. Ross Wilburn of Ames to Democratic National Committee members on why the national party should restore the Iowa Democratic Caucuses first-in-the-nation status for 2028.
Scott Brennan, an Iowan who is a member of the Democratic National Committee, and Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, presented their case before the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, May 27, 2026 on why Iowa should be granted a waiver to hold its contest first in the 2028 Democratic nominating cycle. (Screenshot via DNC livestream)
Iowa Democrats told members of the Democratic National Committee Wednesday the national party cannot afford to lose Iowa voters — or the input of rural Midwesterners at large — as they craft the presidential nominating calendar for 2028.
Scott Brennan, an Iowan who is a member of the DNC, and state Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, who was previously chair for the Iowa Democratic Party, spoke to the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee Wednesday. The committee heard presentations from states hoping to hold their presidential nominating contests in the early window in 2028.
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, left, spoke with supporters of his gubernatorial campaign gathered for an event in West Des Moines May 27, 2026 ahead of the June 2 primary. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
In the final days ahead of the June 2 primary, gubernatorial candidate Randy Feenstra rallied Wednesday with former Gov. Terry Branstad and other GOP officials, telling the crowd his victory in the primary will ensure current Republicans’ work continues at the state Capitol.
In his remarks, Feenstra thanked Branstad and said he planned to build on the longtime GOP governor’s legacy if elected.
A northern Iowa attorney has been publicly reprimanded for falsely claiming he had dementia in order to be excused from a case.
Central Iowa Water Works is encouraging central Iowa businesses and residents to reduce outdoor water use in response to high water demand, increased nitrate concentrations and operational strain on the regional water treatment system.
Des Moines University will offer reserved seats and priority interviews for students attending a Massachusetts private college with hopes to further their healthcare education.
In a deal that could provide a major trade boost for American farmers, the White House said that during the recent summit, China committed to buying at least $17 billion in additional U.S. agricultural products annually for three years. But Beijing has not confirmed the figure and farm groups expressed skepticism that the deal would materialize, Medill News Service reports.
The Trump administration wants the U.S. Supreme Court to empower states to review their voter rolls for noncitizens just days before elections, a change that voting rights advocates say would risk disenfranchising Americans. Iowa is among states supporting the administration’s position.
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