2026 Iowa gubernatorial election

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2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
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  Zach Lahn IA State Fair 2026.jog (cropped).jpg Rob Sand campaign headshot (cropped 1).jpg
NomineeZach Lahn Rob Sand
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Derek Wulf Dave Muhlbauer
Incumbent governor

Kim Reynolds
Republican



The 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Iowa. Republican businessman Zach Lahn and Democratic state auditor Rob Sand are the nominees for their respective parties. Republican incumbent Kim Reynolds is not seeking a third term.

Contents

Primary elections were held on June 2, 2026. [1] In the Republican primary, congressman Randy Feenstra emerged as the frontrunner after being endorsed by President Donald Trump, but Lahn won the nomination in an upset with 37.65% of the vote. Sand was the only candidate to qualify for the ballot in the Democratic primary.

This is the first open gubernatorial election in Iowa since 2006 and the first to be held at the same time as the open Senate election since 1968. [2] The 2006 gubernatorial election is the most recent won by Democrats in Iowa.

Background

Iowa is considered to be a moderate-to-strong red state, with both chambers of its state legislature controlled by the Republican Party. However, in special elections in 2025, Iowa Republicans lost their supermajority in the Iowa Senate. [3] Republicans still maintain their supermajority in the Iowa House of Representatives that they won in 2024. [4] The last time the Democratic Party won a gubernatorial election in Iowa was in 2006. All 4 members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa have been Republicans since 2022 and Republicans have won all U.S. Senate elections in Iowa since 2010, making Iowa's congressional delegation entirely Republican. Iowa has voted for Republican presidents since 2016, trending in favor of the Republican Party increasingly since then. [5] Sand was the only Democratic candidate who statewide in 2022, as he won the state auditor election by just 2,893 votes. [6]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Endorsements

Randy Feenstra
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Zach Lahn
U.S. representatives
Individuals
Organizations
Brad Sherman
Executive branch officials
State legislators
Adam Steen
State legislators
Individuals
Organizations
Mike Bousselot (declined)
Executive branch officials
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials
Newspapers

Debates

2026 Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary debates
No.DateHostModeratorLinkParticipants
 P Participant   A Absent   N Non-invitee   I Invitee W  Withdrawn
FeenstraLahnShermanSteenAndrews
1April 28, 2026Iowa PBS Kay Henderson PBS AAPPP
2 [55] May 19, 2026 KCCI Amanda Rooker
Dave Price		 KCCI APPPP

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Eddie
Andrews		Randy
Feenstra		Zach
Lahn		Brad
Sherman		Adam
Steen		Undecided
JMC Analytics (R) [56] May 27–28, 2026550 (A)± 4.2%4%22%24%8%15%27%
4%24%27%9%16%19%
Victory Enterprises (R) [57] [A] April 14–15, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%5%41%8%5%9%32%

Results

County results Lahn 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% Feenstra 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% Steen 30-40% Sherman 30-40% 2026 Iowa gubernatorial Republican primary election results map by county.svg
County results
  Lahn
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Feenstra
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Steen
  •   30–40%
  Sherman
  •   30–40%
Congressional district results Lahn 30-40% Feenstra 30-40% 40-50% 2026 Iowa gubernatorial Republican primary election results map by congressional district.svg
Congressional district results
  Lahn
  •   30–40%
  Feenstra
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
Republican primary results [58]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Lahn 80,765 37.7
Republican Randy Feenstra 79,11336.9
Republican Adam Steen31,08714.5
Republican Brad Sherman 15,0767.0
Republican Eddie Andrews 7,6943.6
Write-in 7940.4
Total votes214,529 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Disqualified

Endorsements

Rob Sand
Statewide officials
Labor unions
Organizations

Results

Democratic primary results [58]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Rob Sand 189,442 99.6
Write-in 7510.4
Total votes190,193 100.0

Libertarian primary

Candidates

On June 2, the Gluba campaign submitted over 8,000 signatures to the Iowa Secretary of State, satisfying the 3,500 signature requirement to qualify for the ballot. [71] However, later he got disqualified from the ballot as he did not follow the proper legal procedures when trying to substitute his running mate. [72]

Disqualified

Independents

Candidates

Did not qualify

  • Sondra Wilson, pre-law student [73] [74] (previously ran as a Democrat) [75]

General election

Campaign

Though originally from Iowa, Zach Lahn faced scrutiny following reporting by The Des Moines Register that he lived in Kansas until 2023, when he allegedly returned to Iowa. [76] Lahn registered to vote in Iowa on October 17, 2024, ahead of the 2024 election. [77] The newspaper later reported that flight records indicated Lahn spent 75 nights in Wichita, Kansas between October 2025 and spring 2026, frequently traveling there by private plane. [78] Lahn said the trips were related to custody arrangements involving his children, who live in Kansas.

Rob Sand criticized Lahn as a "part-time Iowan" and a carpetbagger, arguing that his frequent travel to Kansas conflicted with his "Iowa First" campaign message. Sand, meanwhile, has faced criticism from Governor Kim Reynolds and other state Republicans, who have accused him of using high-profile audits and allegations of fraud to bolster his political profile. [79] [80]

In early September, The Des Moines Register reported that the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office was investigating Lahn's running mate, Wulf, for theft and fraud in relation to accusations that Wulf had misled lenders and business associates about his finances. [81]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [82] Lean D (flip)October 13, 2026
Decision Desk HQ [83] Lean D (flip)October 15, 2026
Fox News [84] Lean D (flip)October 6, 2026
Inside Elections [85] Tilt D (flip)October 1, 2026
RealClearPolitics [86] Lean D (flip)October 5, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball [87] Lean D (flip)October 6, 2026
Silver Bulletin [88] Likely D (flip)October 11, 2026

Post-primary endorsements

Zach Lahn (R)
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Individuals
Organizations
Political parties
Rob Sand (D)
Executive branch officials
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Labor unions
Newspapers
Political parties
Declined to endorse
Organizations

Debates

2026 Iowa gubernatorial election debates
No.DateHostModeratorsLinkParticipants
 P Participant   A Absent   N Non-invitee   I Invitee   W Withdrawn
Rob Sand Zach Lahn
1October 6, 2026 KWQC and St. Ambrose University William Ingalls, Marcia Lense and Matt Christensen KCRG PP
2October 14, 2026 KTIV Matt Breen, Dave Price and Justin Rust KTIV PP
3October 21, 2026 Iowa PBS Kay Henderson Iowa PBS PP
4October 27, 2026 KCRG and The Gazette Unknown KCRG PP

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll
aggregation		Dates
administered		Dates
updated		Zach
Lahn (R)		Rob
Sand (D)		Other/Undecided
[b] 		Margin
270toWin [120] September 9 – October 6, 2026October 9, 202643.2%51.2%5.6%Sand +8.0%
Decision Desk HQ [121] through October 12, 2026October 15, 202643.3%52.0%4.7%Sand +8.7%
FiftyPlusOne [122] through October 12, 2026October 15, 202643.4%51.3%5.3%Sand +7.9%
RealClearPolitics [123] September 22 – October 12, 2026October 15, 202643.4%51.7%4.9%Sand +8.3%
Silver Bulletin [88] through October 12, 2026October 15, 202643.6%51.1%5.3%Sand +7.5%
Average43.4%51.5%5.1%Sand +8.1%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Zach
Lahn (R)		Rob
Sand (D)		OtherUndecided
YouGov [124] October 6–12, 20262,245 (LV)± 3.1%44%50%—6%
Marist University [125] October 8–11, 2026TBA (LV)± 6.6%45%52%2% [c] 2%
1,100 (RV)± 4.5%43%54%1% [d] 2%
Emerson College [126] [B] October 5–6, 2026650 (LV)± 3.8%45%49%2% [e] 6%
SSRS [127] [C] September 29 – October 5, 2026801 (LV)± 4.2%42%51%7% [f] —
Suffolk University [128] October 1–4, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%43%55%—2%
New York Times/Siena University [129] September 22 – October 1, 2026606 (LV)± 4.6%41%52%—7%
Beacon Research (D)/
Shaw & Co. Research (R) [130] [D] 		September 24–28, 20261,008 (LV)± 3.0%44%53%—3%
1,204 (RV)± 2.5%43%53%1%3%
Marist University [131] September 17–20, 20261,050 (RV)± 4.4%42%54%2%2%
co/efficient (R) [132] September 14–16, 2026831 (LV)± 3.4%42%46%–12%
Cygnal (R) [133] [E] September 9–11, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%44%48%—8%
YouGov [134] September 3–8, 20262,169 (RV)± 3.5%39%50%1% [g] 10%
2,041 (LV)± 3.5%41%51%—8%
Emerson College [135] August 31 – September 1, 2026750 (LV)± 3.6%46%49%—6%
Wedgewood Polls [136] August 27–29, 2026600 (LV)± 4.6%46%51%—3%
Suffolk University [137] August 20–23, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%44%48%—8%
Emerson College [138] August 2–4, 2026712 (LV)± 3.7%43%48%2% [h] 7%
Beacon Research (D)/
Shaw & Co. Research (R) [139] [D] 		June 23–27, 20261,003 (RV)± 3.0%44%53%—3%
New York Times/
Siena University [140] 		June 15–27, 2026600 (LV)± 4.7%47%48%—5%
Cygnal (R) [141] [E] June 16–19, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%43%48%—9%
Hypothetical polling

Randy Feenstra vs. Rob Sand

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Randy
Feenstra (R)		Rob
Sand (D)		Undecided
Echelon Insights [142] April 3–9, 2026377 (LV)± 6.6%39%51%10%
GBAO (D) [143] [F] March 10–16, 20261,200 (LV)± 2.8%42%50%8%
Z to A Research (D) [144] [145] October 9–13, 20251,351 (LV)± 2.7%43%45%12%

Results

2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican
Democratic
Write-in
Total votes100.0

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  3. ↑ "Another party's candidate" with 1%; "No response" with 1%
  4. ↑ ”Another party’s candidate” with 1%
  5. ↑ Thomas Laehn (L) with 2%
  6. ↑ "Neither" with 5%; "Other" with 2%
  7. ↑ "I will not vote in this race" with 1%
  8. ↑ "Someone else" with 2%

Partisan and media clients

  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by Feenstra's campaign
  2. ↑ Poll sponsored by Nexstar Media Group
  3. ↑ Poll conducted for CNN
  4. 1 2 Poll conducted for Fox News
  5. 1 2 Poll sponsored by the Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
  6. ↑ Poll sponsored by Josh Turek's campaign, who is a Democratic candidate in the Iowa U.S. Senate election

References

  1. ↑ "State of Iowa Election Calendar 2026" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. January 1, 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2026. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Could Iowa Democrats Win 2026's Gubernatorial and US Senate Races?". Smart Politics. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming supermajority". PBS. December 31, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
  4. ↑ "GOP at risk of significant state legislative losses, Post analysis finds". Washington Post. October 6, 2026. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ McCue, Dan. "Des Moines Register Poll Reconfirms Iowa's Shift From Swing to Red State" . Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Democrat Rob Sand wins state auditor's race, Todd Halbur concedes". Daily Iowan. November 19, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
  7. ↑ Allen, Jonathan (June 2, 2026). "MAHA-backed Zach Lahn defeats Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP primary for governor". NBC News.
  8. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (May 29, 2026). "Co-founder of Wichita private school contending for Iowa GOP's gubernatorial nomination". Kansas Reflector . Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  9. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (May 14, 2026). "GOP governor candidate Lahn frequently flies to second house in Kansas". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  10. ↑ Smith, Zachary Oren (June 3, 2026). "Meet Zach Lahn: a Koch-connected political operative running for Iowa governor". IowaStartingLine . Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  11. ↑ Opsahl, Robin (June 12, 2026). "Iowa Rep. Derek Wulf tapped to join GOP governor candidate Zach Lahn's campaign as running mate". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  12. ↑ Sostaric, Katarina (June 5, 2025). "Republican state Rep. Eddie Andrews launches campaign for Iowa governor". Iowa Public Radio.
  13. ↑ Fortinsky, Sarah (October 28, 2025). "Rep. Randy Feenstra formally launches Iowa governor bid". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  14. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (February 17, 2025). "Former Republican state representative to challenge Kim Reynolds for Iowa governor seat". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 2, 2025). "Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird won't run for governor in 2026". Des Moines Register . Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  17. ↑ Opsahl, Robin (November 19, 2025). "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot announces he will run for reelection, not governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch . Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  18. ↑ Obradovich, Kathie (August 14, 2026). "State Sen. Mike Bousselot ends 2026 campaign". Iowa Capital Dispatch . Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  19. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 28, 2025). "Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer files paperwork to run for state auditor in 2026". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Feenstra garners endorsements from fellow Republicans ahead of gubernatorial race". KCCI. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  21. ↑ "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
  22. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 29, 2025). "Republican US Rep. Ashley Hinson rules out running for Iowa governor in 2026". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  23. ↑ Richards, Zoë (September 2, 2025). "GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson announces Senate bid for open Iowa seat". NBC News . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  24. ↑ 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 [majority leader]. He originally was strongly considering a run for governor but said a statewide position isn't in the cards
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ "Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will not run for governor in 2026". KCRG-TV. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ "Naig announces re-election campaign for agriculture secretary, will not run for Iowa governor". KCCI. May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  29. 1 2 Baccari, Ray (May 21, 2026). "Iowa secretary of agriculture endorses Feenstra in gubernatorial race". KGAN. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  30. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 11, 2025). "Zach Nunn to run for reelection to Congress, not Iowa governor - after talking to Trump". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  31. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 11, 2025). "Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces she will not seek reelection to another term". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  32. 1 2 "Reynolds says she won't endorse a GOP candidate for governor before Primary". Radio Iowa. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  33. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 9, 2025). "Bob Vander Plaats warns Iowa Republicans that Rob Sand is 'compelling' governor candidate". The Des Moines Register . 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.
  34. 1 2 3 Rooker, Amanda (March 7, 2026). "Adam Steen pitches business background and conservative views in run for Iowa governor". KCCI. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  35. 1 2 "Branstad: I'm endorsing Randy Feenstra for governor". The Gazette. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  36. 1 2 "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot launching exploratory campaign for 2026 governor's race". KCCI. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  37. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (May 29, 2026). "Donald Trump endorses Randy Feenstra for governor in Iowa primary". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Campaign Almanac: Iowa construction union backs Summit pipeline, Senate GOP eminent domain bill". The Gazette. January 30, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Campaign Almanac: Naig will seek re-election as ag secretary, not run for Iowa governor". The Gazette . May 20, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Feenstra announces 1st endorsement in his gubernatorial bid". The Gazette. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 "Campaign Almanac: State lawmakers endorse Feenstra for Iowa governor". The Gazette. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  42. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Steve King endorses Zach Lahn in Iowa governor's race". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  43. ↑ Barton, Tom (May 6, 2026). "Former SNL cast member headed to Iowa to campaign for Zach Lahn". The Gazette. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  44. ↑ Goldman, Maya (December 8, 2025). "MAHA group begins state election endorsements". Axios. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  45. ↑ Stahl, Jay (June 4, 2026). "Steak 'n Shake scores MAHA win in beef with Trump-backed congressman". USA Today.
  46. ↑ "Turning Point Action endorses Zach Lahn for Iowa Governor". CBS2Iowa.com. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 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.
  48. ↑ "State Rep. Dean Fisher endorses Adam Steen for Iowa governor". Daily Nonpareil. December 24, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  49. ↑ "State Sen. Charlie McClintock endorses Steen for governor". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Iowa GOP congressional, governor hopefuls notch new endorsements". The Gazette. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  51. ↑ "North Iowa legislator endorses Adam Steen for governor". Courier. February 28, 2026. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Iowa governor candidate Adam Steen picks up endorsement for Dan Gable". KGAN. May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  53. ↑ Warren, Isabella (March 17, 2026). "Family Leader endorses Adam Steen in Iowa governor's race". KCRG. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Republican candidates fail to show they'd lead all of Iowa | Opinion". Des Moines Register. May 24, 2026. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Iowa primaries: Republican candidates for governor debate water quality, cancer rates". KCCI. May 9, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026– via KCCI.
  56. ↑ "Iowa Statewide GOP Primary Republican Primary Election" (PDF). JMC Analytics and Polling. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Survey: Feenstra Holds Commanding Lead For Republican Nomination For Governor". KIWA (AM). April 17, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  58. 1 2 "2026 Primary Election - June 2, 2026". Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  59. ↑ Tallal, Skylar (May 12, 2025). "Iowa Auditor Rob Sand announces 2026 gubernatorial run". KGAN . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  60. 1 2 "Rob Sand picks western Iowa county supervisor as running mate". KCCI . June 8, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Democrat Julie Stauch exits race for Iowa governor after petition issues". KCCI. March 14, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  62. ↑ Boys, Seth (May 14, 2025). "Rob Sand enters race for Iowa governor". Decorah Leader. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  63. ↑ Nelson, Trish (December 9, 2025). "AFSCME To Endorse Rob Sand For Iowa Governor". Blog For Iowa. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  64. ↑ Robinson, Tom (November 3, 2025). "Iowa Federation Of Labor Endorsing Rob Sand For Governor" . Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  65. ↑ Werner, Kyle. "Rob Sand speaks to hundreds of Iowa educators, earns ISEA support". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  66. ↑ "Rob Sand Endorsement" . Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  67. ↑ Lang, Tommy (August 28, 2025). "Rob Sand picks up big endorsement from health care sector". KCJJ . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  68. ↑ 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.
  69. ↑ "Endorsements - Defend The Vote" . Retrieved September 25, 2026.
  70. ↑ "End Citizens United Endorses Rob Sand for Iowa Governor". admin.endcitizensunited.org. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  71. 1 2 IOWA, LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF (June 5, 2026). "Nicholas Gluba Secures Ballot Access for Iowa Governor Race". Community Newspaper Group. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  72. 1 2 Meiss, Veronica (August 28, 2026). "Iowa Libertarians lose lawsuit to replace governor, Congress candidates on November ballot". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  73. ↑ 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.
  74. ↑ Wilson, Sondra (August 22, 2026). "Independent Gubernatorial Candidate Sondra Wilson Asks Iowa Supreme Court to Restore Her Path to the Ballot". Wild Willpower PAC.
  75. ↑ James, Kayla (June 5, 2025). "Democrat Sondra Wilson advocates for housing, health and LGBTQ+ rights in Iowa governor bid". KCCI . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  76. ↑ Henderson, O. Kay (June 5, 2026). "Sand suggests Lahn should have run for governor in another state - Radio Iowa". Radio Iowa. Archived from the original on June 7, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  77. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (May 29, 2026). "Co-founder of Wichita private school contending for Iowa GOP's gubernatorial nomination • Kansas Reflector". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  78. ↑ Larson, Luke (June 19, 2026). "Lahn defends Iowa residency amid campaign criticism". WHO13 Des Moines.
  79. ↑ Luu, Isabella (January 6, 2026). "State Auditor Rob Sand lays out legislative priorities for 2026 session". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  80. ↑ Henderson, O. Kay (February 18, 2025). "Auditor, governor quarrel over access to E.S.A. information - Radio Iowa". Radio Iowa. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  81. ↑ Jett, Tyler (September 4, 2026). "Lenders, farmers accuse Lt. Gov candidate Derek Wulf of theft, fraud". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  82. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report . Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  83. ↑ "2026 Governor Forecast". Decision Desk HQ . Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  84. ↑ Numa, Rémy (October 6, 2026). "Fox News Power Rankings: The biggest surprises come after October". Fox News . Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  85. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  86. ↑ "2026 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics . Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  87. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  88. 1 2 Silver, Nate; McKown-Dawson, Eli (October 11, 2026) [August 11, 2026]. "FLIPR 2026 midterm election forecast" . Silver Bulletin . Retrieved October 11, 2026– via Substack.
  89. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 24, 2026). "Terry Branstad 'impressed' with Iowa GOP governor candidate Zach Lahn". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  90. ↑ McKinnon, Virginia Grace (July 14, 2026). "Iowa Farmer with Transformative Approach Snags Trump Endorsement". The Daily Signal . Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  91. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 10, 2026). "Donald Trump endorses Republican Zach Lahn in Iowa governor's race". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  92. 1 2 Pfannenstiel, Brianne (September 18, 2026). "JD Vance targets Rob Sand in Council Bluffs rally ahead of midterms". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  93. 1 2 "Randy Feenstra's loss, Zach Lahn's win is Iowa GOP's gain". The Gazette . June 8, 2026. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
  94. 1 2 3 Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 2, 2026). "Who won the Iowa governor race? GOP voters pick their candidate". The Des Moines Register . Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  95. ↑ Olson, Grace (June 3, 2026). "Zach Lahn wins Iowa republican governor nomination". The Daily Iowan . Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  96. 1 2 Luhmann, Kadin. "Speaker Mike Johnson condemns Democratic Socialists at Iowa Christian gathering". Iowa Capital Dispatch . Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  97. ↑ Draisey, Brooklyn (September 12, 2026). "Iowa, national politicians court voters at CyHawk tailgates". Iowa Capital Dispatch . Retrieved September 15, 2026.
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  141. ↑ "ITR Foundation Poll Shows Iowans Want Taxpayer Protection". Iowans for Tax Relief. June 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
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