Iowa Down Ballot podcast: Trump Cabinet secretaries flock to Iowa

Aug 23, 2026 | 5:04 pm ET

By Kathie Obradovich

Iowa Down Ballot podcast: Trump Cabinet secretaries flock to Iowa

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a speech supporting U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn's 2026 reelection campaign at JR’s Southpork Ranch at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 17, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 8/22/26 by Iowa Writers Collaborative

Our political reporting powerhouse team of Dave, Laura, and Kathie are back to break down new Cook Political Report ratings, cabinet secretaries galore, and the state fair soapbox.

Read on Substack

This week’s topics: A shift toward Democrats in a political forecast of Iowa’s top-of-the-ticket races, a parade of politicians and Trump Cabinet secretaries at the Iowa State Fair and more Libertarian ballot drama. Listen here.

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Iowa Capital Dispatch

Des Moines, IA

To republish this story, visit the Iowa website

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