Robin Opsahl

Robin Opsahl

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Robin Opsahl is an Iowa Capital Dispatch reporter covering the state Legislature and politics. Robin has experience covering government, elections and more at media organizations including Roll Call, the Sacramento Bee and the Wausau Daily Herald, in addition to working on multimedia projects, newsletters and visualizations. They were a political reporter for the Des Moines Register covering the Iowa caucuses leading up to the 2020 presidential election, assisting with the Register's Iowa Poll, and reporting on Iowa's 4th District elections.

Here’s what Reps. Nunn and Miller-Meeks said about their war powers vote
Iowa

Here’s what Reps. Nunn and Miller-Meeks said about their war powers vote

Sep 16, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Two Iowa Republicans, U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn, broke party lines to vote in favor of a resolution to curb President Donald Trump’s military powers in Iran. Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, and Nunn in the...
Ethics complaint filed over Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Iowa State Fair fundraiser with Rep. Nunn
Iowa

Ethics complaint filed over Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Iowa State Fair fundraiser with Rep. Nunn

Sep 16, 2026
Robin Opsahl
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing an ethics complaint filed by a group of former national security officials who are questioning if his August appearance at U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn’s Iowa State Fair fundraiser violated federal ethics restrictions. The...
Democrat Rob Sand calls for prioritizing public safety as property tax growth slows
Iowa

Democrat Rob Sand calls for prioritizing public safety as property tax growth slows

Sep 15, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand said Tuesday he would work to ensure resources are protected for Iowa law enforcement and other public safety officials if he is elected in 2026. Sand was joined by law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and other...
End Citizens United group hosts roundtable supporting Turek’s Senate campaign
Iowa

End Citizens United group hosts roundtable supporting Turek’s Senate campaign

Sep 14, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowans supporting Josh Turek’s U.S. Senate campaign said at a Monday roundtable they believe the Democratic candidate would be more effective than Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson at limiting corporate influence in politics. The event, hosted by End Citizens United...
Sen. Ted Cruz criticizes Democrats as ‘Marxists and Islamists’ at Hinson event in Iowa
Iowa

Sen. Ted Cruz criticizes Democrats as ‘Marxists and Islamists’ at Hinson event in Iowa

Aug 29, 2026
Robin Opsahl
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said Saturday Iowans would play an important role in keeping “Marxists and Islamists,” who he said have taken over the Democratic Party, out of power by electing Ashley Hinson to the U.S. Senate in November. Cruz...
U.S. Rep. Miller-Meeks says 2025 GOP tax cuts help Iowa manufacturing workers
Iowa

U.S. Rep. Miller-Meeks says 2025 GOP tax cuts help Iowa manufacturing workers

Aug 28, 2026
Robin Opsahl
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said Friday that workers at Iowa manufacturing businesses are benefitting from tax cuts made through the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as she received an endorsement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Miller-Meeks was joined...
Judge rules Iowa Libertarians did not correctly replace 3rd District, lieutenant governor candidates
Iowa

Judge rules Iowa Libertarians did not correctly replace 3rd District, lieutenant governor candidates

Aug 27, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowa Libertarian candidates’ names will not appear on the ballot for the Iowa gubernatorial and 3rd District elections, a Polk County judge ruled Thursday. Polk County District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin ruled the Libertarian Party of Iowa did not correctly...
Iowa likely voters closely split on income tax constitutional amendment, poll finds
Iowa

Iowa likely voters closely split on income tax constitutional amendment, poll finds

Aug 27, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Likely Iowa voters do not have a clear preference on a proposed constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds of state lawmakers to approve income tax increases, according to a new Suffolk University poll. The Suffolk University Political Research Center poll, released Wednesday...
Turek highlights cancer advocacy, pledges support if elected to U.S. Senate
Iowa

Turek highlights cancer advocacy, pledges support if elected to U.S. Senate

Aug 26, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowa Rep. Josh Turek said Wednesday his work across the aisle to support pediatric cancer research and funding in the state Legislature shows he would be the best candidate to advocate for these priorities in the U.S. Senate. Turek, the...
New poll shows tight races for Iowa governor, U.S. Senate in 2026
Iowa

New poll shows tight races for Iowa governor, U.S. Senate in 2026

Aug 26, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Though Iowa has seen major Republican victories in the last several election cycles, a poll from Suffolk University Political Research Center published Wednesday found the races for U.S. Senate and governor are shaping up to be highly competitive. In the...
Absentee ballot requests begin in Iowa for Nov. 3 election
Iowa

Absentee ballot requests begin in Iowa for Nov. 3 election

Aug 25, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowans were able to begin requesting absentee ballots for the 2026 general election on Tuesday, even as the Trump administration continues to fight in court for changes in the process of voting by mail. Tuesday was officially 70 days before...
Zach Lahn calls for state regulation of data centers, surveillance cameras
Iowa

Zach Lahn calls for state regulation of data centers, surveillance cameras

Aug 24, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Zach Lahn, the GOP nominee for Iowa governor in 2026, said Monday many of the major concerns about new technologies like data center power use and Flock cameras are issues that need to be regulated at a state level. Lahn...