Author

Jay Waagemeester
Jay Waagemeester is an intern for the Iowa Capital Dispatch based in Ames, Iowa, and is currently a senior majoring in journalism and marketing at Iowa State University. He has interned at New Century Press and contributed to the Iowa State Daily.
GOP presidential candidates focus on abortion, Israel, parental rights at evangelical event
By: Robin Opsahl and Jay Waagemeester - September 17, 2023
Republican presidential candidates emphasized their support for abortion restrictions, parental rights and Israel while working Saturday night to win over evangelical Iowa caucusgoers. More than 1,000 people gathered in Des Moines for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition annual fall banquet. The conservative Christian organization has played an influential role in the Republican presidential race […]
Democratic challengers to President Joe Biden speak at Iowa State Fair
By: Robin Opsahl and Jay Waagemeester - 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, […]
GOP presidential candidates rally at Iowa fundraiser
By: Robin Opsahl and Jay Waagemeester - August 7, 2023
In the wake of former President Donald Trump’s most recent indictments, his opponents in the campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination railed against the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice at a fundraising event Sunday for U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. More than 300 people attended Hinson’s BBQ Bash at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids. […]
Iowa Legislature passes legislation to outlaw most abortions after six weeks
By: Jay Waagemeester - July 12, 2023
The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature, in a daylong special legislative session, passed a bill late Tuesday to outlaw most abortions in Iowa after six weeks of gestation. The House adjourned just after 9 p.m. Tuesday after sending House File 732 to the Senate with a vote of 56-34. Rep. Zach Dieken, R-Granville, and Rep. Mark Cisneros, […]
Republicans ask each other for more accountability to stop carbon pipelines
By: Jay Waagemeester - July 9, 2023
FORT DODGE, Iowa — Republicans, constituents and politicians called each other to action Saturday to fight against pipeline companies using eminent domain to acquire farmland, saying some GOP officials are not doing enough to stop the companies. The Midwestern Coalition to Protect Private Property Rights hosted an event in Fort Dodge to unite farmers, community […]
Pence says he doesn’t buy argument that the rich don’t pay ‘fair share’ of taxes
By: Jay Waagemeester - July 5, 2023
LE MARS, Iowa — Former Vice President Mike Pence told Iowa voters Wednesday that he “doesn’t buy” the argument that the wealthiest Americans do not pay their fair share of taxes. U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor hosted Pence and about 50 attendees at a meet-and-greet in Le […]