Iowa Down Ballot podcast: Ian Roberts, granny cams and Iowa's 4th District race

Lawmakers grill Des Moines schools over hiring of ex-superintendent, affirmative action bill advances, nursing home camera bill fails again

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Iowa Down Ballot podcast with host Dave Price, Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland, and Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch discusses several top stories in Iowa politics this week, including the hiring of former Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts, a bill to remove affirmative action language from state law, the failure of a bill to allow families to install cameras in nursing home rooms, and the shakeup in Iowa's 4th Congressional District race after an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

Why it matters

These stories highlight ongoing debates in Iowa over education policy, civil rights protections, elder care, and the political landscape in a key congressional district, reflecting broader trends and tensions playing out across the state.

The details

Lawmakers grilled Des Moines Public Schools officials about their hiring of former Superintendent Ian Roberts, who was detained by federal authorities in September for lacking authorization to work in the United States. A separate panel advanced legislation stripping mentions of affirmative action from state law. Senators again killed a bill opposed by the nursing home industry that would allow families to install video cameras in a resident's room. And Iowa's 4th Congressional District race was headed for a shakeup after President Donald Trump endorsed Chris McGowan of Sioux City.

  • The podcast was recorded on February 7, 2026.
  • Ian Roberts was detained by federal authorities in September.
  • The affirmative action bill advanced this week in the Iowa Legislature.
  • The nursing home camera bill was killed again by senators this week.
  • Former President Trump endorsed Chris McGowan in the Iowa 4th District race this week.

The players

Ian Roberts

Former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools who was detained by federal authorities in September for lacking authorization to work in the United States.

Dave Price

Host of the Iowa Down Ballot podcast.

Laura Belin

Co-host of the Iowa Down Ballot podcast and writer for Bleeding Heartland.

Kathie Obradovich

Co-host of the Iowa Down Ballot podcast and writer for Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Chris McGowan

Candidate for Iowa's 4th Congressional District who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

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What’s next

The judge in the Ian Roberts case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him to be released on bail. The affirmative action bill will now move to the full Iowa Senate for consideration. The nursing home camera bill is expected to be reintroduced in the next legislative session. The impact of Trump's endorsement on the Iowa 4th District race remains to be seen.

The takeaway

These Iowa political stories highlight ongoing debates over issues like immigration, civil rights, elder care, and the influence of national figures in local and state races. They reflect the complex and often contentious nature of policymaking in the state.