2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
In this article, we will delve into the exciting world of 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election, exploring its origins, its relevance today and its possible impacts in the future. Since its inception, 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election has aroused the interest and curiosity of people of all ages and professions, becoming a recurring topic in conversations, debates and academic studies. Throughout this writing, we will delve into the most relevant aspects of 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election, analyzing its implications in different contexts and offering a critical look at its influence on contemporary society. Through a comprehensive approach, we will seek to provide our readers with a more complete understanding of 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election and its implications in today's world.
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November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Iowa |
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The 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026,[1] to elect the governor of the state of Iowa. On April 11, 2025, incumbent Republican Governor Kim Reynolds declined to seek a third full term in office.[2][3] Primaries for this election will be held on June 2, 2026.[1]
This is the first open seat gubernatorial election in the state since 2006; Democrats have not won a gubernatorial race in Iowa since Chet Culver in 2006.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Eddie Andrews, state representative from the 43rd district (2021–present)[4]
- Randy Feenstra, U.S. representative from Iowa's 4th congressional district (2021–present)[5]
- Zach Lahn, farmer[6]
- Brad Sherman, former state representative from the 91st district (2023–2025)[7]
- Adam Steen, former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services (2021–2025)[8]
Declined
- Brenna Bird, Attorney General of Iowa (2023–present) (running for re-election)[9]
- Mike Bousselot, state senator from the 21st district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[10]
- Chris Cournoyer, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2024–present) (running for state auditor)[11]
- Pat Grassley, Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives (2020–present) from the 57th district (2007–present) and grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (running for re-election)[12]
- Ashley Hinson, U.S. representative from Iowa's 2nd congressional district (2021–present)[13] (running for U.S. Senate)[14]
- Bobby Kaufmann, state representative from the 82nd district (2013–present) (running for re-election)[15]
- Kari Lake, senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (2025–present) and nominee for governor of Arizona in 2022 and U.S. senator in 2024[16]
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. representative from Iowa's 1st congressional district (2021–present)[17] (running for re-election)[18]
- Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture (2018–present) (running for re-election)[19]
- Zach Nunn, U.S. representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[20]
- Kim Reynolds, incumbent governor (2017–present)[2]
- Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader, nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006, and candidate for governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010[21]
Endorsements
Brad Sherman
- Executive branch officials
- Sam Clovis, former Senior White House Advisor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2017–2018)[22]
- State legislators
- Kevin Alons, SD-07 (2023–present)[22]
- Doug Campbell, SD-30 (2025–present)[22]
- Jim Carlin, former SD-03 (2017–2023)[22]
- Dennis Guth, SD-28 (2013–present)[22]
- Sandy Salmon, SD-29 (2023–present)[22]
- Mark Cisneros, HD-96 (2021–present)[22]
- Judd Lawler, HD-91 (2025–present)[22]
- Anne Osmundson, former HD-64 (2019–2025)[22]
- Luana Stoltenberg, former HD-81 (2023–2025)[22]
Randy Feenstra
- U.S. senators
- Joni Ernst, Iowa (2015–present)[23]
- U.S. representatives
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks, IA-01 (2021–present)[23]
- Statewide officials
- Chris Cournoyer, lieutenant governor of Iowa (2024–present)[23]
- Roby Smith, state treasurer of Iowa (2023–present)[24]
- State legislators
- Ken Rozenboom, president pro tempore of the Iowa Senate (2025–present) from SD-19 (2023–present), SD-40 (2013–2023)[25]
- Carrie Koelker, SD-33 (2023–present), SD-29 (2019–2023)[25]
- Craig Johnson, HD-67 (2023–present)[26]
- John Wills, speaker pro tempore of the Iowa House of Representatives (2020–present) from HD-10 (2015–present)[25]
- Brent Siegrist, HD-19 (2021–present), HD-84 (1985–2003)[25]
- 18 other state legislators[25]
Zach Lahn
- Organizations
Mike Bousselot (declined)
- Executive branch officials
- Terry Branstad, former U.S. Ambassador to China (2017–2020) and former governor of Iowa (1983–1999, 2011–2017)[28]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Paul Dahl, bus driver and perennial candidate[29]
- Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State (2019–present)[30]
- Julie Stauch, business development professional and former Iowa political director for the Pete Buttigieg 2020 presidential campaign[31]
Endorsements
Rob Sand
Independents
Declared
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[40] | Lean R | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[41] | Likely R | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[42] | Lean R | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[43] | Tossup | September 11, 2025 |
Polling
Randy Feenstra vs. Rob Sand
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Randy Feenstra (R) |
Rob Sand (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z to A Research (D)[44][45] | October 9–13, 2025 | 1,351 (LV) | ± 2.7% | 43% | 45% | 12% |
See also
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
- ^ a b "State of Iowa Election Calendar 2026" (PDF). sos.gov. Secretary of State of Iowa. January 1, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 11, 2025). "Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces she will not seek reelection to another term". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Kim Reynolds' approval rating drops to lowest point, according to new poll". KCCI. September 24, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
- ^ Henderson, Kay (June 4, 2025). "GOP State Rep. Eddie Andrews launches campaign for governor". Radio Iowa. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (October 28, 2025). "Rep. Randy Feenstra formally launches Iowa governor bid". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Tallal, Skylar (November 6, 2025). "Republican Zach Lahn announces run for Iowa governor". KHQA. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (February 17, 2025). "Former Republican state representative to challenge Kim Reynolds for Iowa governor seat". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Hoff, Maya Marchel (August 28, 2025). "'I'm the faith guy': Former Iowa DAS head Adam Steen launches gubernatorial bid". The Gazette. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 2, 2025). "Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird won't run for governor in 2026". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Opsahl, Robin (November 19, 2025). "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot announces he will run for reelection, not governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 28, 2025). "Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer files paperwork to run for state auditor in 2026". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Pat Grassley, Iowa House Speaker, to run again, highlighting commitment to constituents". KGAN. June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
Rep. Grassley had previously said he was considering a run for governor
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 29, 2025). "Republican US Rep. Ashley Hinson rules out running for Iowa governor in 2026". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Richards, Zoë (September 2, 2025). "GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson announces Senate bid for open Iowa seat". NBC News. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ Tallal, Skylar (July 14, 2025). "Iowa House GOP sets leadership election date, Rep. Kaufmann vying for the position". KGAN. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
GOP State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann said he couldn't pass up the opportunity to run for . He originally was strongly considering a run for governor but said a statewide position isn't in the cards
- ^ Martin, Sabine (April 17, 2025). "Is Kari Lake returning to Iowa to run for political office? What she said". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will not run for governor in 2026". KCRG-TV. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ Wilde, Wendy; Snover, JD; Burnett, Claire (June 2, 2025). "Iowa Congresswoman Says She Will Run for Re-Election in 2026". WHO. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ "Naig announces re-election campaign for agriculture secretary, will not run for Iowa governor". KCCI. May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 11, 2025). "Zach Nunn to run for reelection to Congress, not Iowa governor - after talking to Trump". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on July 12, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 9, 2025). "Bob Vander Plaats warns Iowa Republicans that Rob Sand is 'compelling' governor candidate". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
Vander Plaats waved off any suggestion he might be compelled to seek the nomination himself. 'I'm not running,' he said.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barton, Tom (April 16, 2025). "Now that Kim Reynolds won't seek re-election, which Republicans are eyeing a run for Iowa governor?". The Gazette. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Feenstra garners endorsements from fellow Republicans ahead of gubernatorial race". KCCI. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "Campaign Almanac: Naig will seek re-election as ag secretary, not run for Iowa governor". The Gazette. May 20, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Campaign Almanac: State lawmakers endorse Feenstra for Iowa governor". The Gazette. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ "Feenstra announces 1st endorsement in his gubernatorial bid". The Gazette. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ Goldman, Maya (December 8, 2025). "MAHA group begins state election endorsements". Axios. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot launching exploratory campaign for 2026 governor's race". KCCI. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ Hendricks, Conner (November 13, 2024). "Democrat announces candidacy for 2026 Iowa gubernatorial race". KCRG-TV. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Tallal, Skylar (May 12, 2025). "Iowa Auditor Rob Sand announces 2026 gubernatorial run". KGAN. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ "Julie Stauch, Pete Buttigieg's 2020 Iowa political director, launches bid for governor". KCCI. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Boys, Seth (May 14, 2025). "Rob Sand enters race for Iowa governor". Decorah Leader. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ Nelson, Trish (December 9, 2025). "AFSCME To Endorse Rob Sand For Iowa Governor". Blog For Iowa. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ Lang, Tommy (August 28, 2025). "Rob Sand picks up big endorsement from health care sector". KCJJ. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ^ Wright, Griffin (November 1, 2025). "Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO endorses Rob Sand for Governor, Nate Willems for AG". who13.com. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
- ^ Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau (November 7, 2025). "Union group UAW endorses Democrat Rob Sand for Iowa governor". Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "End Citizens United Endorses Rob Sand for Iowa Governor". admin.endcitizensunited.org. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 28, 2025). "2026 Iowa governor's race: Who's in, who's out and who's on the fence". Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
Ames resident and Iowa State University student Sondra Wilson has filed paperwork with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board to run for governor as a no-party candidate in 2026.
- ^ James, Kayla (June 5, 2025). "Democrat Sondra Wilson advocates for housing, health and LGBTQ+ rights in Iowa governor bid". KCCI. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Democrat Leads Republican for Governor in State Trump Won 3 Times — Poll". Newsweek. October 30, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Zdunkewicz, Nancy (October 30, 2025). "Rob Sand Has Early Lead in Iowa Governor Race". Z to A Research. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites