Capitol Notebook: Iowa GOP chair tapped to lead RNC presidential nominating process

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann has been tapped to lead the Republican National Committee’s Presidential Nominating Process Committee, the panel that will determine whether Iowa retains its coveted first-in-the-nation caucus status for 2028.

Kaufmann said he was “honored” that President Donald Trump and RNC Chairman Joe Gruters selected him for the post.

“I’m proud that Iowa continues to play a leading role in defining what it means to be a Republican and ensuring grassroots voters everywhere have a voice in choosing our next nominee,” Kaufmann said in a statement. “Together, we’ll build a process that reflects our values, strengthens our party, and positions us to win in 2028.”

It marks Kaufmann’s second time chairing the influential committee, after previously leading it during the 2024 election cycle. A longtime ally, Kaufmann nominated Trump at last year’s Republican National Convention to be the party’s presidential candidate. Trump went on to win a second term in the White House.

While Iowa Republicans appear poised to maintain their traditional early role, Democrats are debating whether to do the same after losing their first-in-the-nation spot in 2024.

The Iowa Democratic Party has launched a statewide survey asking voters what they want to see happen with the party’s presidential caucuses — including whether it should once again hold the country’s first presidential contest, even if it means defying the Democratic National Committee’s rules. State Chair Rita Hart called it a “mistake” for the party to have abandoned Iowa in the 2024 early nominating calendar, saying it hurt Democrats’ visibility and ability to push back against Republicans’ message.

The survey asks Iowa Democrats to weigh in on questions of accessibility, inclusion, and whether to move forward with a caucus format.

State adds $5 million to expand child care grants

Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday announced an additional $5 million in state funding to expand partnerships between child care providers and preschool programs through the state’s Early Childhood Continuum of Care grant program.

The new funding will support a second round of grants for the 2026-27 school year, helping more Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP) sites and licensed child care centers work together to offer full-day care for 4-year-olds.

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“The Continuum of Care grant program incentivizes child care providers and preschool programs to work together to better serve Iowa families,” Reynolds said in a statement. “While preschool is widely available across the state, some children are unable to participate if programs aren’t daylong or if child care providers don’t offer transportation. These grants facilitate solutions that support working parents.”

The program, first launched in May, offers grants of up to $300,000 over three years to support staffing, expanded hours and transportation options. The first round generated more than 120 applications, with 19 projects awarded funding in July.

Child advocacy group Save the Children Action Network praised the new investment. “

“Save the Children Action Network is excited to see child care continuing to get the attention it deserves as a critical service for kids and families in Iowa,” the organization said in a statement. “We had heard from our partners that many weren’t able to access the first round of grants due to funding limitations and there being so much interest in the program, so we are very excited to see more funding directed to this grant program.”

Information about the latest funding opportunity is available on IowaGrants.gov.