Author

Robin Opsahl

Robin Opsahl

Robin Opsahl is an Iowa Capital Dispatch reporter covering the state Legislature and politics. They have experience covering government, elections and more at media organizations including Roll Call, the Sacramento Bee and the Wausau Daily Herald.

Presidential candidates wrap up state fair political events

By: - August 19, 2023

Presidential hopefuls Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Libertarian Chase Oliver held the final political stops at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, finishing out the parade of 2024 candidates who came to campaign in the first-in-the-nation state. As of Friday, more than 800,000 people had walked through the state fair gates. Among attendees have been 14 […]

GOP presidential candidates Perry Johnson, Will Hurd hold events at Iowa State Fair

By: - August 18, 2023

In the final days of the Iowa State Fair, 2024 Republican candidates Perry Johnson and former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd held events and spoke with potential caucusgoers at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines Friday. Many of the presidential hopefuls wanting to take on President Joe Biden have already made their stops at the fair […]

Iowa labor force participation back to pre-pandemic levels

By: - August 17, 2023

While there are still 65,000 open positions still available in Iowa, the state's job market decreased by 5,300 in the past month, Iowa Workforce Development reported. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

2024 Republican candidates weigh in on Trump’s Georgia indictments

By: - August 16, 2023

As former President Donald Trump faces his fourth indictment in Georgia, his previous running mate former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday disputed Trump’s claims that the Georgia election was “stolen” while still criticizing the federal justice system. Pence is one of many candidates competing against Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination who are […]

Christina Bohannan launches a second bid against U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

By: - August 15, 2023

Christina Bohannan, an Iowa City Democrat, launched her second campaign against U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa’s 1st District on Tuesday. Bohannan, a former state lawmaker, also ran against Miller-Meeks in 2022, when the incumbent candidate won with 53.4% of the vote, a margin of more than 20,000 votes. In launching her second bid against […]

GOP presidential candidates Hutchinson, Binkley and Scott campaign at state fair

By: - August 15, 2023

Three more Republican presidential candidates spoke to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Tuesday in the Iowa State Fair’s second week. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Texas pastor Ryan Binkley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott met with Reynolds for “fair-side chats.” The fair in Des Moines is a must-stop for most presidential candidates. Former President Donald Trump […]

Democratic challengers to President Joe Biden speak at Iowa State Fair

By: and - August 12, 2023

While much of the political attention at the Iowa State Fair was focused on the Republican 2024 presidential contenders, two Democratic challengers to President Joe Biden also took the stage Saturday at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox. Democrats Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who are running for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, […]

Trump, DeSantis and more 2024 candidates pack Iowa State Fair

By: - August 12, 2023

The Republican frontrunners in the 2024 presidential race — former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — competed for attention Saturday on the packed Iowa State Fairgrounds along with a handful of other candidates. Republicans Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy and Ryan Binkley also held events on the fairgrounds, while Democrats Marianne Williamson and […]

Fairgoers mingle with five GOP presidential candidates on Day 2 of Iowa State Fair

By: - August 11, 2023

Five GOP presidential candidates were at the Iowa State Fair Friday, mixing campaign speeches and talking with Iowans with traditional fair activities like grilling pork chops and taking a peek at the Butter Cow. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former Vice President Mike Pence and California talk show host Larry Elder were all return visitors […]

Iowa Democratic Party chair airs concerns about RFK Jr. ‘antisemitic comments’

By: - August 10, 2023

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said 2024 Democratic challengers to President Joe Biden are welcome to campaign in Iowa, but said she was concerned about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “antisemitic” comments. Hart, joined by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a fellow Democrat, spoke about the state fair and Iowa caucuses Thursday during the recording of […]

Republican presidential candidates kick off Iowa State Fair events

By: - August 10, 2023

Several Republican presidential candidates spoke to Iowans at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines Thursday, holding events with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox. It was the first day of the 10-day long event that historically brings presidential candidates out to directly interact with Iowa caucusgoers and show their […]

Polk County to pay for emergency contraceptives for rape victims after state halts funding

By: - August 8, 2023

The Polk County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to provide funding for emergency contraception and crisis services for victims of sexual assault and rape. The decision comes four months after Attorney General Brenna Bird confirmed the state had paused payments for the state’s program of paying for emergency contraception — and, in rare cases, […]