Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls Announces US Senate Run

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary Episode: Iowa State Senator Zach Walz Announces US Senate Run Release Date: June 11, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into the current political climate in Iowa, focusing on recent controversies involving Republican Senator Joni Ernst and the emergence of State Senator Zach Walz as a contender for the U.S. Senate seat. The discussion is marked by the brothers' signature blend of insightful analysis and engaging banter, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the political shifts occurring in Iowa.

Controversy Surrounding Senator Joni Ernst

The episode begins with Ben highlighting the significance of Iowa in national elections, emphasizing its role as a bellwether state that can indicate broader political trends. He references recent backlash against Senator Joni Ernst, a MAGA Republican, due to her contentious remarks about healthcare and social welfare.

Ben [00:00]: "I think Iowa as it's been in elections, there's a reason why it's at the start, you know, could be a bellwether..."

Ben plays a clip of Ernst where she ominously states:

Joni Ernst [00:49]: "So we people are not. Well, we all are going to die."

He critiques her lack of compassion and insensitivity, which has sparked significant voter outrage.

Ben [00:58]: "People in Iowa are pissed... there's no compassion in her statement whatsoever."

Further illustrating the negative reaction, Ben shares another clip where a voter expresses disgust at Ernst's comments.

Joni Ernst [01:27]: "It was rude and it was very uncouth, and there was no compassion in her statement whatsoever."

Ernst attempts an apology, which Ben and the voters find insufficient and insincere.

Joni Ernst [01:41]: "I apologize."

Ben summarizes the mounting frustration among Iowans, portraying Ernst's actions as disconnected from the electorate's needs.

Voter Sentiment and Dissatisfaction

The conversation shifts to personal stories from Iowans affected by Ernst's policies. VA Nurse Pat Kearns shares the personal impact of potential Medicaid cuts.

Patrick Kearns [02:26]: "She was saying to me, she doesn't care if my kids Die."

Ben juxtaposes this with Congressman Ashley Hinson's aggressive promotion of President Trump's agenda, which further alienates moderate voters.

Zach Walz [04:17]: "Joni Ernst, who's apparently her plan is just wait for all of us to die. She's not solving those problems and we need someone who will."

Announcement of Zach Walz's Senate Run

Amidst the criticism of Senator Ernst, Ben introduces State Senator Zach Walz, who announces his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

Zach Walz [04:17]: "I'm running for the United States Senate because Iowans are working hard but aren't getting ahead."

Walz articulates the common concerns among Iowans, including economic struggles, healthcare uncertainties, and infrastructure decay.

Zach Walz [04:51]: "We're literally seeing our roads and our bridges crumble... we're 48th in personal income, we're 49th in state GDP."

He criticizes Ernst's focus on party politics over constituent needs.

Zach Walz [07:03]: "Joni Ernst has become so consumed by internal party politics, she's totally lost touch."

Zach Walz's Platform and Commitment

Walz emphasizes his commitment to addressing practical issues facing Iowans, distancing himself from the extremities of current partisan politics.

Zach Walz [10:14]: "What they want is someone who's going to stand up to the administration... who will always put Iowa first."

He shares personal anecdotes about constituents struggling with economic instability, corporate consolidation, and rising costs, underscoring his dedication to representing their interests.

Zach Walz [10:14]: "Candy... her community just got bought by another out-of-state company and she's worried about her lot rent going up."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Walz encouraging listeners to support his campaign and stay informed through his website and social platforms.

Zach Walz [11:40]: "If they want to learn more, they can go to ZachWalz.com... and I hope they'll consider sending a little bit of money our way."

Ben reinforces the significance of Walz's announcement as a pivotal moment for Iowa's political landscape.

Ben [12:01]: "Walls, the big announcement here on the Midas Touch YouTube channel. He's running for the United States Senate seat in Iowa. Thanks, Zach."

Key Takeaways

• Senator Joni Ernst's Controversial Remarks: Ernst's insensitive comments about mortality and welfare have sparked widespread backlash among Iowans, highlighting a disconnect between her statements and voter sentiments.

• Emergence of Zach Walz: In response to dissatisfaction with Ernst's leadership, State Senator Zach Walz has declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, positioning himself as a candidate focused on practical issues and constituent needs.

• Voter Concerns: Economic instability, healthcare access, rising living costs, and deteriorating infrastructure are primary concerns driving Iowans to seek change in their representation.

• Political Shift in Iowa: The episode underscores a potential shift away from traditional partisan politics towards candidates who prioritize local issues and pragmatic solutions.

Notable Quotes

• Joni Ernst on Mortality:

  “So we people are not. Well, we all are going to die.” [00:49]

• Pat Kearns on Medicaid Cuts:

  “She was saying to me, she doesn't care if my kids Die.” [02:37]

• Zach Walz on Iowa's Economic Struggles:

  “We're 48th in personal income, we're 49th in state GDP.” [04:51]

• Zach Walz Critiquing Ernst:

  “Joni Ernst is all squeal, no bacon.” [07:03]

• Zach Walz on Constituent Needs:

  “What they want is someone who's going to stand up to the administration... who will always put Iowa first.” [10:14]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a critical examination of the current political dynamics in Iowa, spotlighting the challenges facing incumbent Senator Joni Ernst and presenting Zach Walz as a viable alternative. The Meiselas brothers effectively communicate the voters' frustrations and aspirations, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the stakes involved in the upcoming Senate race.

Transcript

[Ben]

I'm looking at Iowa right now, and you may say Iowa, yes, Iowa. I think Iowa as it's been in elections, there's a reason why it's at the start, you know, could be a bellwether, I think, to determine if there's going to be a blue wave, if we're going to be able to hold Donald Trump accountable, if democracy is going to prevail in Iowa. We've been seeing some interesting signs there as well, like they're maga, Republican senator, of course, you've all seen this one. Joni Ernst getting booed when she was basically saying to everybody, whatever, who cares if this budget bill's gonna take away healthcare from 15 million people and take away food stamps and take away rental assistance and attack women's reproductive rights, whatever. We're all gonna die anyway. Y' all remember this clip? Let's play it.

[Joni Ernst]

So we people are not. Well, we all are going to die.

[Ben]

You know, when the people in Iowa are pissed, I mean, you're hearing reactions like. Like this. There's this. A lot of people are saying, look, it was incredibly rude and disrespectful that she would say that. But then she goes to a cemetery and then just mocks us all and then says, well, you better believe in Jesus Christ because that's the only way you're going to get salvation, because you're going to die in a cemetery. People are like, what the hell is this? Here's an example of. Of some of the voters in Iowa. Let's play this. First voter.

[Joni Ernst]

It was rude and it was very uncouth, and there was no compassion in her statement whatsoever.

[Ben]

But when she saw what Ernst called a sincere apology on Saturday, I made.

[Joni Ernst]

An incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth. So I apologize.

[Ben]

Pierce was irate.

[Joni Ernst]

We should call her out and maybe refer to her as Joni Hearst. From here on out, instead of Joni Ernst calling the apology insulting, she's videotaping herself walking through a cemetery. And if you have lost anybody you cared about that fought a courageous battle against any kind of health issue, that that's not the kind of place to make your point.

[Ben]

What about what VA Nurse Pat Kearns has to say? Play this clip.

[Patrick Kearns]

Angry doesn't begin to, like, describe what I feel about it.

[Ben]

Patrick Kearns is the father of two adults on Medicaid, and he says the comments from Senator Ernst felt like an.

[Zach Walz]

Attack on his kids.

[Patrick Kearns]

She was saying to me, she doesn't care if my kids Die. You know, that's how I heard that. And I think that that's how a lot of Iowans hear it, that it's not that we'll all die, it's just that nobody that she cares about is gonna die because of it. It. And I think that that was very telling.

[Ben]

You combine that with what happened when MAGA Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson from Iowa's 2nd held a town hall back on back on May 28th. Remember this moment.

[Zach Walz]

I was also proud to vote for.

[Ben]

President Trump's one big beautiful bill last week. This is a generational investment. This is a general investment. This is your time. And Then back on January 29, Democrat Mike Zimmer flipped Iowa's Senate District 35, a district that was a Trump +21 in 2024. This op ed in the Des Moines Register, Joni Ernst has lost my vote. And yet we're hearing stories from lots of people in Iowa who voted for MAGA Republican Senator Joni Ernst before. And they're saying no more, no way. This has become a death cult. And you see right there State Senator Zach Walz saying Steve is right. I'm hearing from Iowans all across the state that they are ready to move on from Joni Ernst. Let's bring in Zach Walz right now. And Zach, you're hearing from people in Iowa and I know that you have a big announcement as well.

[Zach Walz]

I sure do. Ben. It's great to be with you and I'm thrilled to share with your audience that I'm running for the United States Senate because Iowans are working hard but aren't getting ahead. And I want to do something to help solve the problems that hardworking families are facing. And that Joni Ernst, who's apparently her plan is just wait for all of us to die. She's not solving those problems and we need someone who will.

[Ben]

You're making that announcement right here exclusively on the Midas Touch YouTube channel. We got the YouTube exclusive. Tell us what you're hearing though, from the voters in Iowa as you've been torn the state. What are you hearing?

[Zach Walz]

Well, we've been all over and I think that what they're seeing is the failed leadership of Joni Ernst in Washington and an establishment that isn't focused on actually solving the problems that people are facing. And we all see it every day, whether it's at the grocery store with high prices that haven't come down. My wife and I have a 14 month old and we're paying almost as much for daycare as we are for our mortgage. Or the fact that, like, we heard from Joni Ernst the potential cuts to Medicaid would threaten the health care that 700,000 Iowans count on. Things in Washington aren't working for them, and it's time to make a change.

[Ben]

We heard the nicknames from some of those voters. Joni Hearst. I actually like Joni Washington, Joni Trump. But it seems that basically, you know, the only agenda that someone like a Joni Ernst is focused on is what's Donald Trump going to do? What's Donald Trump going to do? And, you know, when I speak to, you know, whether it's leaders in a place like Iowa or just across the country, I just find that voters right now are basically saying, can we just get back to like, not the, like, weird political, like, strange stuff that like, Trump is doing in this. You know, they just, what are you going to do to fix my roads? What are you going to do to make things cheaper? Like, what are you actually going to do as a politician? That's your job and not this, like, weirdo cosplay routine that you're doing out there in Washington?

[Zach Walz]

Well, Ben, one of the very first things I did after launching this campaign was meet with labor leaders over in the Quad Cities, which is a really important part of Iowa. And one of the things that I heard from them was the fact that we're literally seeing our roads and our bridges crumble, right? And these are the guys who are out there working hard to make sure that we have infrastructure that we can all use. And I think that one of the biggest challenges that we're seeing in Iowa is that Joni Ernst has become so consumed by internal party politics, she's totally lost touch. I don't think that you can make the comments that she did or that bizarre double down video if you were actually in touch with what was happening here in Iowa. And that's a big part of why we need a change. That's a big part of why I'm running.

[Ben]

Tell me about these town halls that you're seeing. And, you know, it seems that there's a lot of just organic, just people coming together, you know, in Iowa. And then you see people like Joni Ernst and others, you know, calling them, oh, these people are just paid and they're, they're funded by, you know, left wing organizations. And it's people just like, no, we're scared. Like, we're legitimately scared. And you keep on lying to us. Just stop it.

[Zach Walz]

Well, I actually had the chance to speak with one of the people who asked a question at that Hinson Town Hall, Nick Larson, he had this really, I thought, powerful question that, that he asked Representative Hinson. And when I called Nick to talk with him, you know, what I heard from him was just deep frustration with what's happening in D.C. and feeling like Iowa has been left behind. And if you look at the numbers, you know, we're 48th in personal income, we're 49th in state GDP. And a report was out just last week that had us dead last in terms of our overall economy. I think the problem is that Joni has been completely consumed by Republican politics. I'm sure all of your viewers remember that earlier this year they had the nomination fight with Pete Hegseth, and she expressed some reservations that were clearly very well founded, as Jeffrey Goldberg found out and then shared with the rest of the world a few short months later. But Joni didn't do the right thing. She didn't stand up for what she knew was right. And that's the fundamental problem with Joni. You know, she said that in 2014 she'd go to Washington and make him squeal. She promised to only serve two terms, but now for a third term and she's breaking her promise to us. And so I'd say the Joni Ernst is all squeal, no bacon.

[Ben]

You know, what I noticed with the, with people like Jodi Ernst is once they make that move, you know, whether it is, you know, like a Heg sith or whatever it is, and they, and they shed their entire dignity, then the next move is kind of like to go all like, like they have no place other than to go full cult and to go all in because they've already, they've already dropped it. So then they figure out, well, now my only chance is to go as extreme as possible because at least there, you know, maybe I could divide the people, you know, amongst kind of tribes within a state and just hope that the, you know, right wing MAGA disinformation flooding the zone really defeats just the facts and the truth that's out there. But what do you say to that? What do you say at the end of the day, you know, when, you know, politics has, I always talk about it on the podcast that politics, you know, unfortunately, I think has been gamified in a way that, you know, you have this side and that side. And at the end of the day, what you're missing is, well, who's just objectively telling the truth and who's fighting for me and who's helping me and, you know, and how do we connect that back with voters to get, whether it's people in Iowa or elsewhere, to stop voting against their own interests, stop voting against getting rid of their health care, stop voting to get rid of what makes Iowa a great place.

[Zach Walz]

Yeah. Well, Ben, look, I would say that there are clearly plenty of Iowans in our state who appreciate or who like what President Trump has been saying out there. That's why Iowa voted for Donald Trump in three consecutive presidential elections. But I think as people are looking around at what's happening right now, they're shocked at at what they're seeing. Just the other day I was on the phone with a friend of mine who runs a beer and wine importing business up in northeast Iowa and he has no idea if he's going to make any money this year or lose his shirt because of the unpredictability of these tariffs. In my own district where I live in southeast Iowa, I was contacted by a constituent of mine named Candy who I've worked with for many years. She lives in a mobile home park not far from where I live and her community just got bought by another out of state company and she's worried about her lot rent going up. I've got a buddy of mine who's a farmer just east of where I live over in Cedar County. He's a farmer and runs a custom spraying business. And the inputs that they use for what they do are more expensive than ever and in shorter supply because you've had so much corporate consolidation in that sector that they can't get what they need at a price that they can afford. And so what they want is someone who's going to stand up to the administration when what they're doing is wrong for Iowa, who will be willing to work with them when there is an issue or two that is actually good for Iowa, but who will always put Iowa first. And just like you just said, Joni Ernst is no longer that senator. And that's why I'm running to get the job.

[Ben]

Where can people find out some more information about you?

[Zach Walz]

Absolutely. If they want to learn more, they can go to ZachWallz.com that's Z A C H W A H L S.com I'm Zach Walls and all the major social platforms and I hope they'll consider sending a little bit of money our way. And following along on the campaign, Zach.

[Ben]

Walls, the big announcement here on the Midas Touch YouTube channel. He's running United States Senate seat in Iowa. Thanks, Zach.

[Zach Walz]

Thanks, Ben.

[Ben]

Everybody hit subscribe let's get to 5 million subscribers. Can't get enough Midas? Check out the Midas plus substack for ad free articles, reports, podcasts, daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, and more. Sign up for free [e-mail].