Jay Wagner, who covered the Iowa Caucuses and the 2008 General Assembly for the Iowa Independent, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 45.

Jay Wagner

Jay Wagner

“Jay was a terrific writer and an important early member of our Iowa team,” said David Bennahum, President and CEO of the Center for Independent Media, which funds the Iowa Independent. “His coverage of the Iowa caucuses was incisive and astute. We are very saddened by the news of his death, and send our condolences to his family and friends.”

A journalist for all of his adult life, Wagner grew up in northwest Iowa and edited his family’s award-winning newspaper, The N’West Iowa REVIEW. He also worked for the Des Moines Register, The Iowan magazine, and Business Publications Corp. in Des Moines.

Often eager to joke around with colleagues, Wagner was known as a straight shooter in print but a witty, independent-minded conservative around friends.

After leaving the Iowa Independent, Wagner started a blog, which allowed him to keep writing about his interests and to occasionally document his health struggles. To read his work for the Iowa Independent, click here.

Wagner is survived by his wife and two children.