Campaign Almanac: More endorsements in Iowa’s gubernatorial, U.S. Senate campaigns

DES MOINES — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Zach Wahls this week announced a slate of 40 new endorsements, including union and city and county government leaders.

“In my years of public service, I’ve learned to recognize leaders who will actually fight for their constituents rather than just talk about it,” Winneshiek County Supervisor Shirley Jenkins Vermace said in a press release from the Wahls campaign.

“Zach has proven he’ll take on powerful interests — whether it’s greedy out-of-state companies threatening Iowans who live in mobile homes or pharmaceutical companies driving up drug costs,” Jenkins Vermace said. “Winneshiek County and all of Iowa needs that kind of fighter in the U.S. Senate, which is why I’m supporting Zach Wahls.”

Wahls, a state legislator from Coralville, is one of four Democrats seeking their party’s nomination in Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate election. The other Democrats running are Council Bluffs state legislator Josh Turek, former chamber of commerce leader Nathan Sage of Indianola, and veterans advocate and former state legislator Bob Krause.

Eastern Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Sioux City lawyer and former state legislator Jim Carlin are running for the Republican nomination.

Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate election is open after Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst this year announced she will not seek re-election to a third, six-year term.

23 former legislators endorse Feenstra

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A slate of 23 former state lawmakers endorsed Randy Feenstra for governor, his campaign announced.

“These strong conservatives know that we cannot risk letting extreme liberals run our state into the ground,” Feenstra said in a campaign press release. “As governor, I will work with President Trump to advance the America First agenda in Iowa, keep our state red, and take Iowa to new heights. I’m grateful to these friends and colleagues for standing tall for a stronger Iowa.”

Feenstra, a Western Iowa Congressman from Hull, is one of five Republicans seeking the party’s nomination in Iowa’s 2026 gubernatorial election. The others are state legislator Eddie Andrews of Johnston, former state agency director Adam Steen of Runnells, business owner Zach Lahn of Belle Plaine, and Williamsburg pastor Brad Sherman. State Sen. Mike Bousselot of Ankeny also is exploring a bid.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand and West Des Moines political consultant Julie Stauch are vying for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Republican incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has been governor since 2017, announced this year that she will not seek re-election to another four-year term.

Union group endorses Sand

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The UAW, an Iowa union group that represents roughly 20,000 active and retired members, has endorsed Rob Sand for governor.

The UAW’s members include workers for John Deere, Case, New Holland and Lennox International, the labor group says.

Sand, the state auditor, is one of two Democrats seeking the party’s nomination in Iowa’s 2026 gubernatorial election. The other is West Des Moines political consultant Julie Stauch.

“We’re supporting candidates like Rob Sand who’ve proven they can stand up to corporate America,” UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell said in a press release. “Our members, their families, and their neighbors, will be sending a clear message to the powers that be with Rob’s election to the governorship: Iowa is not for sale.”

Iowa’s primary election is June 2, 2026, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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