Musicians won’t be the only ones taking the stage during the Iowa State Fair.
After an off-year without statewide elections in 2025, the Des Moines Register will once again host its Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. The Register will invite more than 20 candidates to meet Iowans at one of the state’s largest events.
Candidates will be invited to take the Soapbox stage and spend up to 20 minutes addressing fairgoers. As in the past, candidates will be able to decide how to use that time, including whether or not they take questions from the public.
When is the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox?
The Register offers timeslots at the Political Soapbox every day of the fair — Aug. 13 to 23 — except for Sundays.
A complete schedule will be released in early August after appearances have been confirmed.
Where is the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox?
A small stage and seating area for the Soapbox will take over the front lawn of the Horner Service Center at the Iowa State Fair. The building is located right off the Grand Concourse, to the west of the Administration Building and across Grand Avenue from the Grandstand.
Who will be invited to the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox?
All candidates who qualify for the ballot in federal or statewide races will be invited to the 2026 Des Moines Register Political Soapbox.
For 2026, that includes:
Invites will be sent to qualifying campaigns after the primary elections on June 2.
Brian Smith is an audience strategist and senior editor at the Des Moines Register. He’s been the director of the Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair since 2019. Contact him at bsmith@dmreg.com or 515-284-8214.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Register Political Soapbox returns to 2026 Iowa State Fair
Reporting by Brian Smith, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
