Iowa Politics with Jeff Stein -- Thu. Aug. 13, 2026

Real Money.

I'm Jeff Stein with today's Iowa Politics Report.

The one thing major political campaigns are not sure of is money.

Oh, they'll still ask you for your money because it seems there's never enough for a campaign.

Sounds like the same attitude some politicians have about your tax payments.

It's never enough.

Both the Democrats and Republicans have major funds tied to political action committees.

A news release came out yesterday from one of the PAC supporting GOP candidates.

It's called the Senate Leadership Fund.

The news release shows you the scope of the dollars we're talking about.

SLF announced an additional $12 million in August advertising spending in three states, Iowa, Alaska and Michigan.

This brings the total of money committed by this one pack to $354 million, and that's just for this year's U.S.

Senate races.

SLF added $4 million in August spending here in Iowa to help elect Ashley Hinson, bringing its total commitment in our state to $33 million.

In Michigan, the group added $6 million this month alone to help elect Mike Rogers, bringing its total commitment there to $51 million, and another $2 million in spending this month alone in Alaska to help reelect Dan Sullivan.

It brings the total commitment in that raise to $17 million.

Again, both sides have this kind of money, and they're not afraid to spend it.

It shows how high the stakes are.

at least in the party professionals view for how you'll vote in November.

And that's the Iowa Politics Report for Thursday, August 13 on Twitter, Instagram, Gitter, Threads and Truth Social at Iowa Politics.

I'm Jeff Stein on News Talk 1540, KXEL.