Campaign Almanac: Democrat John Norwood announces run for Iowa state treasurer

DES MOINES — John Norwood, a Democrat and small business adviser from West Des Moines, announced his campaign for state treasurer on Monday.

Norwood ran for state agriculture secretary in 2022.

In a campaign press release, Norwood pledged “to bring an independent, experienced voice to the office responsible for safeguarding Iowa’s financial future.”

Roby Smith, the Republican incumbent treasurer, is finishing his first, four-year term in the office.

“The state treasurer is Iowa’s chief financial officer and banker,” Norwood said in the press release. “This office should be visible, independent, and relentlessly focused on protecting Iowans today while building a foundation for generations to come. My goal is simple: safeguard Iowans’ money.”

Norwood outlined three top issues in his campaign announcement: protecting IPERS, the state’s retirement program for public employees; being an “independent, responsible voice” for Iowa’s finances; and expanding retirement options and financial literacy.

“I’ve spent my career helping organizations plan for the future, manage risk, and make responsible financial decisions,” Norwood said. “That’s exactly what Iowans deserve from their state treasurer.”

Norwood since 2019 has worked as an adviser with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, coaching Iowa CEOs and business founders on growth strategy, financial performance and long-term sustainability, according to Norwood’s campaign website.

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

State Sen. Campbell endorses Brad Sherman for governor

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State Sen. Doug Campbell has endorsed Republican Brad Sherman in the 2026 race for Iowa governor, praising Sherman’s character, leadership and commitment to serving Iowans.

In a lengthy endorsement statement released by the campaign, Campbell, a Republican from Mason City, said Sherman’s candidacy is rooted in service rather than ambition, citing his lifelong work ethic, faith and integrity. Campbell highlighted Sherman’s decades as a pastor and his reputation for humility and attentive leadership.

“There is no question about Brad and (his wife) Carole’s integrity and honesty,” Campbell said, adding that Sherman would acknowledge mistakes and work to correct them. Campbell concluded by calling Sherman “the best” choice to lead Iowa as its next governor.

Sherman, a former state lawmaker, said he was honored by the endorsement, calling Campbell a principled leader who has challenged the political establishment.

The 2026 race for governor is open after Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement last year that she will not seek another term after holding office since 2017. Sherman is one of five Republicans seeking the party’s nomination, alongside western Iowa U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra of Hull, state legislator Eddie Andrews of Johnston, former state agency director Adam Steen of Runnells, and business owner Zach Lahn of Belle Plaine.

Teamsters Local 238 endorses Trone Garriott in District 3

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Teamsters Local 238 announced its endorsement of Democratic congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, citing her support for workers’ rights and working families.

Jesse Case, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 238, in a statement said the union is backing Trone Garriott, a state senator from West Des Moines, over her support to restore Iowa workers’ collective bargaining rights and improve workplace safety, health care access, public education funding, pension protections and infrastructure investment.

Trone Garriott, in a statement, said she was honored by the union’s support and emphasized her commitment to protecting the right to organize, raising wages, defending retirement security and addressing rising costs facing working families.

Trone Garriott flipped a Republican-held Iowa Senate seat in 2020 and is seeking her party’s nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, of Bondurant, for Iowa’s 3rd District U.S. House seat, which stretches across central and southern Iowa.

Nunn flipped the seat in 2022 after defeating incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne and won re-election narrowly in 2024. Both national parties have already signaled plans to heavily invest in the district again in 2026.

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