Read the truth about Iowa politics.
I dig deep for the facts.
Since 2007, I’ve been bringing readers stories they can’t find in other Iowa media, or different angles on the biggest news stories.
I’m proud that my work has been recognized: Des Moines Cityview’s “Civic Skinny” called me “probably the hardest-working — and perhaps the best — political reporter in the state” and “one of the best investigative reporters in the state.” The Fix at the Washington Post included me on its list of Iowa’s outstanding political reporters in 2020 and named my website Bleeding Heartland among the “best state-based political blogs.” Politico put me on its list of “early state must-follows,” and Charles Pierce of Esquire has called Bleeding Heartland an “essential Iowa political blog.”
I’ve also worked part-time for KHOI Community Radio in Ames since early 2021. On “KHOI’s Capitol Week,” Spencer Dirks and I pack a lot of news into our 30 minutes together.
What you’ll find here
On Tuesdays, subscribers receive the audio file of the latest “KHOI’s Capitol Week,” along with a detailed written recap, for those who would rather read than listen. The radio show surveys the biggest Iowa politics stories of the week, often covering topics I haven’t written about elsewhere.
Later in the week, you’ll get an article that first appeared at Bleeding Heartland. These tend to be deeper dives, original reporting or analytical writing about one big story: a campaign or a candidate, something going on in Congress or in state government, a newsworthy debate in the legislature or an important new law.
Comments and reader questions are welcome on all posts. Occasionally I invite more discussion with an “Ask me anything about Iowa politics” thread.
I publish far more material at Bleeding Heartland than I share in this space, including articles and commentaries by more than 100 guest authors every year. For occasional emails linking to all recent articles and essays by me or my guest authors, sign up for the Evening Heartland newsletter, which is also free.
No paywall
I believe everyone should be able to read the news regardless of what's in their bank account. So you don’t need to become a paying subscriber to access the full archive of posts here.
However, this style of reporting is labor-intensive. So I welcome financial support from those who value accountability journalism and can afford to give. Donations help me cover operating costs—including my salary, technical support, web hosting fees, and fees for public records requests—without selling advertisements, charging for subscriptions, or putting the most newsworthy material behind a paywall.
To avoid conflicts of interest, I don’t accept financial support from Iowa elected officials, candidates, or paid staff and consultants on Iowa campaigns. For readers who don’t fall into those groups, Substack makes it easy to contribute monthly or annually.
Readers who prefer to make a one-time donation can do so with a credit card, or through PayPal, Venmo, or personal check (message me for the mailing address).
More about me
I found my love of politics growing up with parents and siblings who discussed current events at the dinner table. I’ve followed Iowa elections closely since the 1980 caucuses, when I took on the role of liberal Republican candidate John Anderson for a classroom debate. I participated in my first Iowa Democratic caucus as a Paul Simon supporter in 1988.
I found my love of writing about politics as an analyst for the Prague-based Open Media Research Institute and later for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. I covered Russian campaigns and elections, parliamentary politics, and media issues full time from 1995 to 1998 and on a freelance basis for RFE/RL from 1999 to 2005, spanning most of Boris Yeltsin’s presidency and the early Vladimir Putin years.
By the mid-2000s, my favorite beats in Russia had become boring and depressing. So I turned my focus to Iowa happenings and started writing at Bleeding Heartland in 2007.
Support the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
I’m proud to be part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, which connects readers and writers with news and commentary from all over the state. Check out the free Sunday roundup and Wednesday “flipside” edition for links to recent columns by more than 70 authors Julie Gammack has corralled into this project.
