State, federal candidates take Iowa State Fair stage Saturday
John Norwood, a Democrat running for Iowa state treasurer, speaks Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at The Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Norwood highlighted protecting IPERS, keeping more state investment dollars in Iowa and expanding economic opportunities in rural communities.
Dave Dawson, the Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, speaks Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at The Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Dawson emphasized health care, affordability, agriculture and government accountability in his bid to represent heavily Republican western Iowa.
Thomas Laehn, the Libertarian candidate for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, speaks Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at The Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Laehn criticized the two-party political system and emphasized campaign finance reform, constitutional limits on government and opposition to the Summit Carb…