Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture
Robert Leonard, Kit Campoy, Zachary Oren Smith, End Citizens UnitedThe politics and culture of Iowa, the Midwest, and beyond.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Twice weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 340 | Founded | 4 years ago | Last Issue | 6 days ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
rleonard.substack.comLatest Issues
Republican SNAP Cuts are Structural Violence Against the Poor and Hungry
Note: Tomorrow, Friday, June 5, at 2:00 CT, I will be hosting a Substack live call with Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek, who will face Republican Ashley Hinson in the upcoming general election in November. Please join us. The link is...
Sex Toys Penetrate Iowa Governor's Race; Federal Regulatory Filings Reveal Context to Controversy
Zach Lahn, on April 28, 2026, in the State Capitol Rotunda (photo by Laura Belin)
Note: Phoebe Wall Howard is an award-winning reporter who worked for The Des Moines Register, covering organized labor and politics. She now writes Shifting...
The Hidden Side of Retail Work
Note: It’s time to sign up for Julie Gammack’s Okoboji Writers and Songwriters Retreat! It will be held September 27-30 at Lake Okoboji, Iowa.
It’s a special event for writers and readers. You don’t have to be a writer to attend; you just...
Retired Valley High School Teachers Challenge the Values of Valley High School Grad Ashley Hinson
Peter Hedges, Valley High Grad, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, film director, film producer, and one of the organizers of Iowans for Decency
Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture reaches over 6,600 subscribers and over 16,000 followers i...
Trump's Coming for our Elections
The Marion County Courthouse in Knoxville, Iowa
Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture reaches over 6,600 subscribers and over 16,000 followers in all 50 states and in 74 countries. It will always be free, but please consider a paid subscripti...
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 83 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
SEO Reach
Where Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture ranks on Google, and how much search traffic it brings in.
| Ranked Keywords | 270 | Monthly Search Traffic | Top Keywords |
|---|
Chart Rankings
How this newsletter ranks in the official Substack charts.
| #170 |
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Robert Leonard is a former radio news reporter. He has bylines in the New York Times, TIME, USA Today, the Des Moines Register, the Iowa Capitol Dispatch, the Kansas City Star, and many more.
25 years on the retail floor. Now I cover what the trade press misses about labor.
Just your friendly neighborhood reporter ● Writes about Iowa politics for Iowa Starting Line ● Producer of This American Ex-Wife and Iowa Down Ballot
Our mission is to fix our democracy by getting big money out of politics, fighting corruption, and protecting the right to vote.
Social
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture?
You can find recent issues that have been published by Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture have?
To see how many people subscribe to Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.