2026 Iowa gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Iowa gubernatorial election

←  2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds Republican

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 re-election to 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, Senior White House Advisor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2017–2018) ^[22]

State senators

• Kevin Alons, 7th district (2023–present) ^[22]
• Doug Campbell, 30th district (2025–present) ^[22]
• Jim Carlin, 3rd district (2017–2023) ^[22]
• Dennis Guth, 28th district (2013–present) ^[22]
• Sandy Salmon, 29th district (2023–present) ^[22]

State representatives

• Mark Cisneros, 96th district (2021–present) ^[22]
• Judd Lawler, 91st district (2025–present) ^[22]
• Anne Osmundson, 64th district (2019–2025) ^[22]
• Luana Stoltenberg, 81st district (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]

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) ^[25]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Paul Dahl, bus driver and perennial candidate ^[26]
• Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State (2019–present) ^[27]
• Julie Stauch, business development professional and former Iowa political director for the Pete Buttigieg 2020 presidential campaign ^[28]

Endorsements

Rob Sand

Governors

• Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[29]

Labor unions

• SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa ^[30]
• Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO ^[31]
• United Auto Workers ^[32]

Organizations

• End Citizens United ^[33]

Independents

Declared

• Sondra Wilson, pre-law student ^[34] (previously ran as a Democrat) ^[35]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [36]	Lean R	September 11, 2025
Inside Elections [37]	Likely R	August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [38]	Lean R	September 4, 2025
Race to the WH [39]	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) [40] [41]	October 9–13, 2025	1,351 (LV)	± 2.7%	43%	45%	12%

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

References

1. "State of Iowa Election Calendar 2026" (PDF). sos.gov. Secretary of State of Iowa. January 1, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
2. 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.
3. "Gov. Kim Reynolds' approval rating drops to lowest point, according to new poll". KCCI. September 24, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
4. Henderson, Kay (June 4, 2025). "GOP State Rep. Eddie Andrews launches campaign for governor". Radio Iowa. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
5. Fortinsky, Sarah (October 28, 2025). "Rep. Randy Feenstra formally launches Iowa governor bid". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
6. Tallal, Skylar (November 6, 2025). "Republican Zach Lahn announces run for Iowa governor". KHQA . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Opsahl, Robin (November 19, 2025). "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot announces he will run for reelection, not governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch . Retrieved November 21, 2025.
11. 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.
12. "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
13. 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.
14. Richards, Zoë (September 2, 2025). "GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson announces Senate bid for open Iowa seat". NBC News . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
15. 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
16. 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.
17. "Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will not run for governor in 2026". KCRG-TV . April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
18. 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.
19. "Naig announces re-election campaign for agriculture secretary, will not run for Iowa governor". KCCI . May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. "Feenstra garners endorsements from fellow Republicans ahead of gubernatorial race". KCCI . July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
24. "Campaign Almanac: Naig will seek re-election as ag secretary, not run for Iowa governor". The Gazette . May 20, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
25. "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot launching exploratory campaign for 2026 governor's race". KCCI . April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
26. Hendricks, Conner (November 13, 2024). "Democrat announces candidacy for 2026 Iowa gubernatorial race". KCRG-TV . Retrieved November 16, 2024.
27. Tallal, Skylar (May 12, 2025). "Iowa Auditor Rob Sand announces 2026 gubernatorial run". KGAN . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
28. "Julie Stauch, Pete Buttigieg's 2020 Iowa political director, launches bid for governor". KCCI . June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
29. Boys, Seth (May 14, 2025). "Rob Sand enters race for Iowa governor". Decorah Leader. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
30. Lang, Tommy (August 28, 2025). "Rob Sand picks up big endorsement from health care sector". KCJJ . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
31. 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.
32. 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.
33. "End Citizens United Endorses Rob Sand for Iowa Governor". admin.endcitizensunited.org. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
34. 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.
35. James, Kayla (June 5, 2025). "Democrat Sondra Wilson advocates for housing, health and LGBTQ+ rights in Iowa governor bid". KCCI . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
36. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
37. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
38. "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
39. "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
40. "Democrat Leads Republican for Governor in State Trump Won 3 Times — Poll". Newsweek . October 30, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
41. 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

• Eddie Andrews (R) for Governor
• Randy Feenstra (R) for Governor
• Zach Lahn (R) for Governor
• Rob Sand (D) for Governor
• Brad Sherman (R) for Governor
• Julie Stauch (D) for Governor
• Adam Steen (R) for Governor
• Sondra Wilson (I) for Governor