In the last midterm elections in Iowa, Republicans performed very well, recapturing all of Iowa's U.S. house delegation and winning supermajorities in both state chambers. The Republicans also knocked off two of the three state executive office holders, leaving the state auditor, (Rob Sand), as the lone Democrat in state office.[2]
However, Democrats have a history of doing pretty well in Iowa during Republican presidents midterms, like in 2006, and 2018.[3] On top of that, Democrats have been overperforming in special elections across America, but massively overperforming in Iowa. Every Democratic candidate has overperformed Kamala Harris's2024 margin by more than 20 points in every race.[4] By comparison, Trump only won this state by about 13.2 points in 2024 so Iowa might have a chance of being competitive in 2026.
IncumbentRepublicangovernorKim Reynolds has declined to run for re-election and seek a third term, which the Iowa state constitution would allow her to do if she had wanted.[5] Reynolds won in 2022 with 58.04% of the vote. Due to the governorship being open, this race has received a fair bit of attention.
The lone Democrat currently holding office in Iowa. state AuditorRob Sand, has entered the Democratic Primary. Rob Sand is the clear favorite for the Democratic nomination and is popular within the state.[6] On the Republican side, U.S. Representative from Iowa's 4th Congressional districtRandy Feenstra is the most prominent candidate running for his parties nomination[7], but he faces two prominent candidates in Brad Sherman and Eddie Andrews (former and current state Representatives).
In Iowa, nominees for Lieutenant Governor are chosen at party conventions. They then run on a ticket with the gubernatorial nominee. The eventual nominees will have to pick who they would want to run on the ticket with them.[8]
Incumbent Republican Brenna Bird won in 2022, after defeating then-incumbent Democratic attorney generalTom Miller, who had served in the position since off and on since 1979 and was running for this 11th term.[9] Bird defeated Miller with 50.8% in 2022.
Incumbent Republican secretary of statePaul Pate has announced his intention to run for a 5th term in 2026.[12] He won in 2022 with 60.0% of the vote. He has one Democratic challenger in former Navy veteran Ryan Peterman.[13]
Incumbent Republican state treasurer, Roby Smith, won in 2022 after defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Michael Fitzgerald, who had served in the position consecutively since 1983.[14] and was running for his eleventh term in office. Smith defeated Fitzgerald with 51.3% of the vote.
Rody Smith has not declared his intention to run for re-election and he currently has no challengers.
Incumbent Democratic state auditor,Rob Sand, was the sole Democrat to win statewide in 2022, defeating state representative Todd Halbur. Sand won in 2022 with 50.09% of the vote.
Sand is not running for a third term, but running for governor instead. No Democrats have declared their candidacy for this race, but incumbent Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer is running in the Republican primary.[15]
Incumbent Republican Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, won in 2022 with 61.1% of the vote, being the best performing Republican nominee that year.[16]
Naig is running for re-election and currently has no Democrat challengers.[17]
Incumbent Republican senator Joni Ernst has declined to run for re-election for a third term.[18]
Ernst won in 2020 by 6 points in what was widely considered to be a toss-up race, with 50.88% of the vote.[19]
This race has been getting heavy media attention after Ernst made a comment when addressing a constituents concerns about Medicaid, stating "We are all going to die", and making a sarcastic apology for the comment at a cemetery.[20] This comment spearheaded the race into the spotlight, with 4 prominent Democratic candidates entering the race, including state Sen. Zach Wahls and state Rep. Josh Turek.[21]
In 2018, the last Republican president midterm year, Democrats won 3 of these 4 seats, and almost came close to taking them all. So these seats have the potential to flip in 2026.[26]
Republicans have a supermajority in the state house, and a majority in the state senate. All 100 of the state house seats are up for election in 2026, while 25 (half) of the state senate seats are. Democrats might be able to gain seats if Iowa swings to the left in the midterms, like it has before.
↑ "2026 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
↑ Washington, Inside Elections 810 7th Street NE; Developers, DC 20002 Phone:546-2822 Email · Subscriptions API for. "Iowa Senate: Ernst Out, Republicans Still Favored". www.insideelections.com. Retrieved September 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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