Robin Johnson
Host of Heartland PoliticsRobin A. Johnson is a governmental relations, public policy and political consultant. He is an expert on government reform issues and has consulted with numerous local governments on consolidation/merger, public-private partnerships and full-cost accounting of public services. Robin has also helped candidates win elections for the U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, state legislature, judiciary and local government. Robin served as a consultant to the Office of Statewide Performance Review in the Illinois Governor’s Office and is former director of the Illinois Center for Competitive Government, a partnership between the Illinois Comptroller’s Office and the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. Prior to that, he was Director of the Local Government Affairs Division of the Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Robin served on the Board of Directors of the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) in 1999-2000.
-
State Rep. Josh Turek, a Democrat from Council Bluff's 20th District, talks about the recently concluded legislative session in Iowa and his concerns about Medicaid cuts in Washington. -
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-57) discusses accomplishments from the recently completed session, including tax reform, cutting government waste and restricting cell phone usage in schools and cars, and talks about ongoing property tax reform efforts. -
Clay Risen, author of Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America, discusses key elements of this era--The Hollywood 10, censorship of books and movies, those affected, including actor Sterling Hayden and Robert Oppenheimer--as well as the national landscape that provoked the conspirator style of politics, unsung heroes, and much more. -
Lon Helton, host of Country Countdown USA, Country Music Hall of Famemember and 12-time winner of the CMA National Broadcast Personality ofthe Year, talks about country music's impact on American culture, hiscareer, memorable interviews, and some of the misconceptions aboutcountry music. -
Patrick Maguire, political columnist for The Times and co-author of Get In: The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer, talks about the comebackof the Labour party from historic lows, the role of "The Irishman" in researching and analyzing working class voters, the rise of Keir Starmer, results from Starmer's landslide victory, advice for Democrats looking to bounce back and much more. -
Deborah Mattinson, British opinion research expert and author of two books on the Labour Party, talks about how the Labour Party rebounded after election losses, its challenges with "Red Wall" voters who aresimilar to the Midwest electorate, including the QC region, lessons for Democrats, and much more. -
David Masciotra, author of Mellencamp: American Troubadour, talks abouthow Mellencamp's roots in southern Indiana influenced his music, hissongs that most influenced American culture, the impact of his family onsome of his most famous hits, his politics ("blue guy in a red state")but how his music also challenges the left's disconnect from ordinarypeople, and more. -
Erin Murphy, Des Moines Bureau Chief for The Gazette, talks about Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds decision not to seek reelection, her future and legacy, the possible nominees from both parties, possible Democratic resurgence in 2025 special elections, and Sen. Chuck Grassley's seat which is up in 2028. -
Richard Porter, a former Republican National Committee member fromIllinois, discusses President Trump's tariff policy, its connection toother administration economic initiatives, national securityimplications, the national conditions that led to the tariffs, and muchmore. -
Abby Livingston, congressional correspondent for Puck News, talks about the Democrats' Identity Crisis, the Trump agenda, the GOP firewall in Congress, impacts of DOGE and tariffs, AOC, Texas politics, and much more.
