116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Tom Barton
I am The Gazette’s deputy Des Moines bureau chief covering Iowa politics, including the Iowa Legislature and campaigns. I was born and raised in Davenport and have previously worked for papers covering local and state government and politics in Iowa and South Carolina, including Dubuque and the Quad-Cities. I’m an Iowa State graduate and a die-hard Cyclone fan. When not reporting, you can likely find me on the golf course, burning something in the kitchen and nerding out about Star Wars with Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy.
Latest Articles by Tom Barton
Government & Politics Jan. 22, 2023 1:18 pm1061d ago
GOP Sen. Charlie McClintock says he’s still undecided on whether to support the bill.
Government & Politics Jan. 20, 2023 2:58 pm1063d ago
A three-member subcommittee of Iowa House lawmakers this week advanced a bill that would allow Iowa restaurant workers under the age of 18 to serve alcohol.
Government & Politics Jan. 20, 2023 1:23 pm1063d ago
Iowa House lawmakers for a third time again moved forward legislation that would prevent a defendant from
Government & Politics Jan. 18, 2023 2:59 pm1065d ago
House rule change lets the bill bypass the usual vetting process.
State Government Jan. 15, 2023 5:00 am1069d ago
The governor has proposed a significant streamlining of state agencies, and placed a 4-year pause on regulatory rule-making
Government & Politics Jan. 12, 2023 5:39 pm1071d ago
Citing growing concern about Chinese investment in U.S. agriculture, Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson announced a renewed push to more closely monitor foreign ownership of farmland across the country.
State Government Jan. 12, 2023 3:44 pm1071d ago
Republican leaders laid out some priorities and called for ‘bold’ action Monday, the first day of the 2023 session of the Iowa Legislature.
Government & Politics Jan. 11, 2023 6:17 pm1072d ago
89-year-old senator says surgery for a fracture was ‘very successful,’ with a full recovery expected.
Government & Politics Jan. 11, 2023 6:18 pm1072d ago
‘We need to empower parents,’ House speaker says of proposed laws
Government & Politics Jan. 10, 2023 9:12 pm1073d ago
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds used her sixth Condition of the State address and larger Republican majorities in the Iowa Legislature to double down on and expand her push for school choice legislation.
State Government Jan. 9, 2023 3:45 pm1074d ago
Republican leaders laid out some priorities and called for ‘bold’ action Monday, the first day of the 2023 session of the Iowa Legislature.
Government & Politics Jan. 9, 2023 8:08 am1075d ago
Iowa Democrats face a rocky road ahead as the party looks to rebuild after another election cycle that saw Republicans expand their control over the state lawmaking process -- and the loss of its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses.
News Jan. 9, 2023 5:13 pm1074d ago
While research suggests the global attention span is narrowing due to the amount of information that is presented to the public, people still are interested in a good story.
Government & Politics Jan. 6, 2023 5:16 pm1077d ago
State party seeks a conditional waiver from national party
Government & Politics Jan. 6, 2023 6:00 am1078d ago
Iowans will have to wait longer for the option of keeping their state-issued ID on their smartphones and not just their wallets.

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