New candidates, Dems weigh caucus future, a high-stakes special election

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with more new candidate announcements: another Republican running for governor and two more Democrats running for Congress. They discussed news from several 2026 races, an internal poll suggesting Senator Joni Ernst is vulnerable, and Chuck Grassley dodging a question about his 2028 plans. Other topics covered: the Iowa Democratic Party's survey about the future of the caucuses, a viral social media post by Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a taxpayer funded TV ad for Zach Nunn, another Iowa visit by Bernie Sanders, the high cost of school vouchers, and a preview of the August 26 special election in an Iowa Senate district covering part of Sioux City.