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Who’s running for Iowa governor?
Gov. Kim Reynolds is not running for re-election in 2026
Sep. 10, 2025 12:07 pm
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Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement in April that she will not seek re-election opened up Iowa’s gubernatorial race. It’s the first time an incumbent will not appear on the ballot in the race for Iowa governor since 2006.
In the months since Reynolds’ announcement, half a dozen people have announced plans to run for office.
Here’s what we know about who’s running for governor in Iowa, who’s not running, who’s dropped out of the race, and who may be considering a run.
Iowa’s primary election is June 2, 2026, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
Here’s who’s running for Iowa governor
The field of candidates who’ve announced they’re seeking their party’s nomination stands at six — three Democrats and three Republicans.
Democrats:
- Paul Dahl, a Webster City man who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor and Congress, announced his candidacy for governor in November 2024.
- Rob Sand, of Des Moines, the auditor of state, launched his campaign for governor on May 12.
- Julie Stauch, of West Des Moines, president and CEO of her own consulting firm and former campaign worker for national Democratic campaigns, announced June 3 that she will run for governor.
Republicans:
- Eddie Andrews, a state representative from Johnston, announced his candidacy in a news conference at the Iowa Capitol on June 4.
- Brad Sherman, a former state lawmaker from Williamsburg, launched his gubernatorial campaign Feb. 17.
- Adam Steen, of Runnells, former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, announced his candidacy for governor on Aug. 20.
Here’s who may run for Iowa governor
Republicans:
- Mike Bousselot, a state lawmaker from Ankeny, announced April 21 he was launching an exploratory campaign to run for governor.
- Randy Feenstra, of Hull, represents Western Iowa’s 4th District in the U.S. House. He confirmed May 13 that he was exploring a run for governor of Iowa, after filing paperwork for “Feenstra for Governor” with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Feenstra has been campaigning across the state, he’s gathered endorsements from top Republicans in the state, he’s raised millions and has aired statewide TV ads. He told reporters at the Iowa State Fair in August that he would make an announcement in September about moving his exploratory campaign for governor to the next level.
Here’s who’s not running for Iowa governor
Republicans:
- Brenna Bird, Iowa’s attorney general, who teased a run for governor in a video posted to social media after Reynolds announced she would not seek another term, announced July 2 she will run for a second term as attorney general.
- Chris Cournoyer, a former lawmaker from LeClaire who was appointed lieutenant governor in December, announced May 6 she will run for state auditor in 2026.
- Pat Grassley, of New Hartford, speaker of the Iowa House, in May said he was considering a run for governor, but he announced June 27 he will seek re-election to his current seat in the Iowa House.
- Ashley Hinson, of Marion, who represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd District in the U.S. House, said April 29 she would not run for governor. Hinson announced Sept. 2 she will seek election to the Iowa U.S. Senate seat that has been held by Joni Ernst, who is not seeking re-election.
- Bobby Kaufmann, of Wilton, had indicated an interest in running for the seat after Reynolds announced her plans, but he chose instead to serve as Iowa House Majority Leader.
- Mike Naig, Iowa’s agriculture secretary since 2018, announced May 20 he will seek re-election to his current office.
- Zach Nunn, of Bondurant, represents Iowa’s 3rd District in Congress. He was said to have been considering a run for governor. In May, President Donald Trump posted to social media that he was endorsing Nunn for re-election to the U.S. House.
- Kim Reynolds, who’s been governor of Iowa since 2017, announced April 11 she will not seek another term in office.
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