2026 Iowa gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
 
Nominee TBD Rob Sand (presumptive)
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. Incumbent Republican Governor Kim Reynolds declined to seek 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, which was also the last gubernatorial election in Iowa won by a Democrat.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Endorsements

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Presumptive nominee

Disqualified

Did not file

  • Paul Dahl, bus driver and perennial candidate[40]

Endorsements

Rob Sand
Statewide officials
Labor unions
Organizations

Independents

Declared

  • Sondra Wilson, pre-law student[47] (previously ran as a Democrat)[48]

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[49] Lean R September 11, 2025
Inside Elections[50] Likely R August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[51] Lean R September 4, 2025
Race to the WH[52] Tossup January 14, 2026

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)[53][54] October 9–13, 2025 1,351 (LV) ± 2.7% 43% 45% 12%

See also

Notes

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

References

  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 (April 11, 2025). "Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces she will not seek reelection to another term". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. ^ "Gov. Kim Reynolds' approval rating drops to lowest point, according to new poll". KCCI. September 24, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (October 28, 2025). "Rep. Randy Feenstra formally launches Iowa governor bid". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  5. ^ Tallal, Skylar (November 6, 2025). "Republican Zach Lahn announces run for Iowa governor". KHQA. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  6. ^ "Lahn traveling different path in search of Iowa GOP gubernatorial nomination". The Gazette. March 16, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  7. ^ 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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  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. ^ Sostaric, Katarina (June 5, 2025). "Republican state Rep. Eddie Andrews launches campaign for Iowa governor". Iowa Public Radio.
  10. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (July 2, 2025). "Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird won't run for governor in 2026". Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 2, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ^ Opsahl, Robin (November 19, 2025). "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot announces he will run for reelection, not governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  12. ^ 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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ^ "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
  14. ^ 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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. ^ Richards, Zoë (September 2, 2025). "GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson announces Senate bid for open Iowa seat". NBC News. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  16. ^ 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
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will not run for governor in 2026". KCRG-TV. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Naig announces re-election campaign for agriculture secretary, will not run for Iowa governor". KCCI. May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  21. ^ 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  22. ^ 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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ^ a b c Rooker, Amanda (March 7, 2026). "Adam Steen pitches business background and conservative views in run for Iowa governor". KCCI. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ a b "Branstad: I'm endorsing Randy Feenstra for governor". The Gazette. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  26. ^ a b "Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot launching exploratory campaign for 2026 governor's race". KCCI. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c "Feenstra garners endorsements from fellow Republicans ahead of gubernatorial race". KCCI. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  28. ^ "Campaign Almanac: Naig will seek re-election as ag secretary, not run for Iowa governor". The Gazette. May 20, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  29. ^ "Campaign Almanac: Iowa construction union backs Summit pipeline, Senate GOP eminent domain bill". The Gazette. January 30, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Campaign Almanac: State lawmakers endorse Feenstra for Iowa governor". The Gazette. Retrieved November 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  31. ^ "Feenstra announces 1st endorsement in his gubernatorial bid". The Gazette. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  32. ^ Goldman, Maya (December 8, 2025). "MAHA group begins state election endorsements". Axios. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  33. ^ "State Rep. Dean Fisher endorses Adam Steen for Iowa governor". Daily Nonpareil. December 24, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  34. ^ "State Sen. Charlie McClintock endorses Steen for governor". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  35. ^ "Iowa GOP congressional, governor hopefuls notch new endorsements". The Gazette. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  36. ^ "North Iowa legislator endorses Adam Steen for governor". Courier. February 28, 2026. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  37. ^ Warren, Isabella (March 17, 2026). "Family Leader endorses Adam Steen in Iowa governor's race". KCRG. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  38. ^ Tallal, Skylar (May 12, 2025). "Iowa Auditor Rob Sand announces 2026 gubernatorial run". KGAN. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  39. ^ "Democrat Julie Stauch exits race for Iowa governor after petition issues". KCCI. March 14, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  40. ^ Hendricks, Conner (November 13, 2024). "Democrat announces candidacy for 2026 Iowa gubernatorial race". KCRG-TV. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  41. ^ Boys, Seth (May 14, 2025). "Rob Sand enters race for Iowa governor". Decorah Leader. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  42. ^ Nelson, Trish (December 9, 2025). "AFSCME To Endorse Rob Sand For Iowa Governor". Blog For Iowa. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  43. ^ Lang, Tommy (August 28, 2025). "Rob Sand picks up big endorsement from health care sector". KCJJ. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ "End Citizens United Endorses Rob Sand for Iowa Governor". admin.endcitizensunited.org. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ James, Kayla (June 5, 2025). "Democrat Sondra Wilson advocates for housing, health and LGBTQ+ rights in Iowa governor bid". KCCI. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  49. ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  50. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  51. ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  52. ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  53. ^ "Democrat Leads Republican for Governor in State Trump Won 3 Times — Poll". Newsweek. October 30, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  54. ^ Zdunkewicz, Nancy (October 30, 2025). "Rob Sand Has Early Lead in Iowa Governor Race". Z to A Research. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
Official campaign websites
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