2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
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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]
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Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Brad Sherman, former state representative from the 91st district (2023–2025)[4]
Publicly expressed interest
- Brenna Bird, Attorney General of Iowa (2023–present)[5]
- Mike Bousselot, state senator from the 21st district (2023–present)[6]
- 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[6]
- Bobby Kaufmann, state representative from the 82nd district (2013–present)[6] (will not run if Grassley runs)[7]
- Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture (2018–present)[8]
- Zach Nunn, U.S. representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2023–present)[5]
- Amy Sinclair, president of the Iowa Senate (2023–present) from the 12th district (2013–present)[7]
Potential
- Randy Feenstra, U.S. representative from Iowa's 4th congressional district (2021–present)[5]
- Ashley Hinson, U.S. representative from Iowa's 2nd congressional district (2021–present)[5]
- Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader, nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006, and candidate for governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010[5]
- Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2025–present), nominee for state treasurer in 2002, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014[5]
Declined
- Kari Lake, senior advisor to the United States Agency for Global Media (2025–present) and nominee for governor of Arizona in 2022 and U.S. senator in 2024[9]
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. representative from Iowa’s 1st congressional district (2021–present)[10]
- Kim Reynolds, incumbent governor (2017–present)[2]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Paul Dahl, bus driver and perennial candidate[11]
Publicly expressed interest
- Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State (2019–present)[12]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[13] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[14] | Battleground | February 6, 2025 |
See also
References
External links
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