2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
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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 re-election to a third term in office.[2][3] Primaries for this election will be held on June 2, 2026.[1]
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]
- Brad Sherman, former state representative from the 91st district (2023–2025)[6]
Formed exploratory committee
- Mike Bousselot, state senator from the 21st district (2023–present)[7]
Publicly expressed interest
- Bobby Kaufmann, state representative from the 82nd district (2013–present)[8][9]
- Zach Nunn, U.S. representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2023–present)[10]
- Amy Sinclair, President of the Iowa Senate (2023–present) from the 12th district (2013–present) and former Acting Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2024)[9]
Potential
- Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader, nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006, and candidate for governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010[11]
- Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2025–present), nominee for state treasurer in 2002, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014[11]
Declined
- Brenna Bird, Attorney General of Iowa (2023–present) (running for re-election)[12]
- Chris Cournoyer, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2024–present) (running for state auditor)[13]
- 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)[14]
- Ashley Hinson, U.S. representative from Iowa's 2nd congressional district (2021–present)[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]
- Amy Sinclair, President of the Iowa Senate (2023–present) from the 12th district (2013–present) and former Acting Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2024)[9]
- Kim Reynolds, incumbent governor (2017–present)[2]
Endorsements
Brad Sherman
- Executive branch officials
- Sam Clovis, Senior White House Advisor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2017–2018)[20]
- State senators
- Kevin Alons, 7th district (2023–present)[20]
- Doug Campbell, 30th district (2025–present)[20]
- Jim Carlin, 3rd district (2017–2023)[20]
- Dennis Guth, 28th district (2023–present) and 14th district (2013–2023)[20]
- Sandy Salmon, 29th district (2023–present)[20]
- State representatives
- Mark Cisneros, 96th district (2021–present)[20]
- Judd Lawler, 91st district (2025–present)[20]
- Anne Osmundson, 64th district (2019–2025)[20]
- Luana Stoltenberg, 81st district (2023–2025)[20]
Randy Feenstra
- U.S. Senators
- Joni Ernst, Iowa (2015–present)[21]
- U.S. Representatives
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks, IA-01 (2021–present)[21]
Mike Bousselot (not declared)
- Executive branch officials
- Terry Branstad, former U.S. Ambassador to China (2017–2020) and former Governor of Iowa (1983–1999, 2011–2017)[7]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Paul Dahl, bus driver and perennial candidate[22]
- Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State (2019–present)[23]
- Julie Stauch, business development professional and former Iowa political director for the Pete Buttigieg 2020 presidential campaign[24]
Endorsements
Rob Sand
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[27] | Lean R | May 12, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[28] | Battleground | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[29] | Likely R | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[30] | Tossup | June 30, 2025 |
See also
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. 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.
- ^ Crisp, Elizabeth (May 12, 2025). "Rep. Randy Feenstra files to run for Iowa governor". The Hill. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot launching exploratory campaign for 2026 governor's race". KCCI. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (April 14, 2025). "House Speaker Pat Grassley one of three Iowa GOP lawmakers not ruling out run for governor". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c Tallal, Skylar (April 15, 2025). "Iowa Republicans hint at 2026 gubernatorial bids after Reynolds' announcement". KGAN. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 7, 2025). "US Rep. Zach Nunn reconsidering whether to run for Iowa governor, source says". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ a b Gorman, Reese (April 11, 2025). "Rep. Zach Nunn Is Talking With His Family About a Potential Run for Governor". NOTUS. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 2, 2025). "Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird won't run for governor in 2026". Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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 Cite error: The named reference
feenstracampaignwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ 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". Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "End Citizens United Endorses Rob Sand for Iowa Governor". admin.endcitizensunited.org. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 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.
External links
- Official campaign websites