2026 Iowa gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Iowa gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 2022 | November 3, 2026 | 2030 ->

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|  |  |

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Party  | Republican | Democratic

* * *

| Incumbent Governor

Kim Reynolds
Republican

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Cedar Rapids

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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

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

#### Declared

[edit]

* Brad Sherman, former state representative from the 91st district (2023–2025)[4]

#### Formed exploratory committee

[edit]

* Mike Bousselot, state senator from the 21st district (2023–present)[5]

#### Publicly expressed interest

[edit]

* Brenna Bird, Attorney General of Iowa (2023–present)[6]
* Randy Feenstra, U.S. representative from Iowa's 4th congressional district (2021–present)[7]
* 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[8]
* Bobby Kaufmann, state representative from the 82nd district (2013–present)[8] (if Grassley doesn't run)[9]
* Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture (2018–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

[edit]

* Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader, nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006, and candidate for governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010[6]
* Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2025–present), nominee for state treasurer in 2002, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014[6]

#### Declined

[edit]

* Chris Cournoyer, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2024–present) (running for state auditor)[11]
* Ashley Hinson, U.S. representative from Iowa's 2nd congressional district (2021–present)[12]
* 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[13]
* Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. representative from Iowa’s 1st congressional district (2021–present)[14]
* Zach Nunn, U.S. representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2023–present)[15]
* Kim Reynolds, incumbent governor (2017–present)[2]

### Endorsements

[edit]

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)[5]

## Democratic primary

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

#### Declared

[edit]

* Paul Dahl, bus driver and perennial candidate[16]

#### Filed paperwork

[edit]

* Julie Stauch, activist[17]

#### Publicly expressed interest

[edit]

* Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State (2019–present)[18]

## General election

[edit]

### Predictions

[edit]

Source  | Ranking  | As of

|
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The Cook Political Report[19] | Solid R  | January 23, 2025
Inside Elections[20] | Battleground  | February 6, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[21] | Likely R  | May 1, 2025

## See also

[edit]

* 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State of Iowa Election Calendar 2026" (PDF). sos.gov. Secretary of State of Iowa. January 1, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
2. ^ a b Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces she will not seek reelection to another term". The Des Moines Register. 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. ^ 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.
5. ^ a b "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot launching exploratory campaign for 2026 governor's race". KCCI. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
6. ^ a b c Gorman, Reese (April 11, 2025). "Rep. Zach Nunn Is Talking With His Family About a Potential Run for Governor". NOTUS. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
7. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 24, 2025). "US Rep. Randy Feenstra is keeping his options open regarding possible gubernatorial bid". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
8. ^ a b 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.
9. ^ a b Tallal, Skylar (April 15, 2025). "Iowa Republicans hint at 2026 gubernatorial bids after Reynolds' announcement". KGAN. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
10. ^ "Ag Secretary Mike Naig says he's keeping all options on the table for 2026 election". KCRG-TV. April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 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. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ 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.
14. ^ "Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will not run for governor in 2026". KCRG. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
15. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (May 2, 2025). "Iowa Republican US Rep. Zach Nunn confirms he will not run for governor in 2026". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
16. ^ Hendricks, Conner (November 13, 2024). "Democrat announces candidacy for 2026 Iowa gubernatorial race". KCRG-TV. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
17. ^ Belin, Laura (April 29, 2025). "Governor's office sues DM Register; new candidates for governor and auditor". Retrieved May 1, 2025.
18. ^ "Pluribus A.M." Pluribus News. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025. "Sand...raised more than Reynolds did in the last quarter of 2024, leading to speculation that he'll challenge Reynolds in the 2026 midterms. Sand told us Tuesday he'll make a decision later this year."
19. ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
20. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
21. ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Official campaign websites

* Brad Sherman (R) for Governor

* v
* t
* e

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