Laura Belin has spent two decades reporting on Iowa politics through her website, Bleeding Heartland, and more recently on Substack. She also co-hosts a radio show on KHOI in Ames. Her work, based on public records, sources and open meetings, has been cited by outlets including The Washington Post, Politico and Esquire.
Belin says access to Republican officials has been a recurring obstacle. At a January budget briefing, an aide to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds turned her away after other reporters had been admitted, telling her the office was private. Belin said the aide appeared pleased as he closed the door.
Her reporting comes as Iowa faces several competitive elections, including a close U.S. Senate contest between Republican Representative Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Representative Josh Turek. The article describes Belin as openly liberal and notes that she donates to Democratic politicians she covers, a practice discouraged or prohibited by many traditional news organizations.
Belin also faces a changing media landscape on the Democratic side: the article says party officials are bypassing her in favor of internet influencers they consider more friendly.
Sources: The New York Times Business.