Campaign Almanac: Naig will seek re-election as ag secretary, not run for Iowa governor

DES MOINES — Republican Mike Naig will seek re-election as Iowa’s agriculture secretary rather than run for governor, Naig announced Tuesday.

Naig decided there is “still work to be done growing our state and economy as Secretary of Agriculture,” and that he will not run for governor, according to a news release issued Tuesday by his campaign.

Previously, Naig had said he was weighing a potential run for governor after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she does not plan to seek re-election to another term.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Iowa as we work to advance an Iowa First agenda that puts farmers, families, and freedom at the center of our future,” Naig said in the news release. “We have made tremendous progress over the past few years but there remains important work ahead and we’re not done yet — building markets for Iowa products, defending our livestock industry, accelerating soil and water conservation efforts, and making sure rural Iowa thrives for future generations.”

Naig has been secretary of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship since 2018. He was appointed ag secretary in March of 2018 after previous Sec. Bill Northey accepted a job in the federal administration.

Naig then won the November 2018 election for Iowa ag secretary, and was reelected in 2022.

“I look forward to continuing to grow our state, fight for the hardworking men and women who feed and fuel the world, and keep Iowa as the greatest agricultural state in the country,” Naig said in the news release.

No other candidates have publicly announced for Iowa ag secretary. The primary election is June 2, 2026.

State Treasurer Smith endorses Feenstra for Iowa governor

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Iowa U.S. Rep Randy Feenstra has secured the endorsement of State Treasurer Roby Smith as he explores a run for governor.

Feenstra, a Republican who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, launched an exploratory campaign last week for a potential gubernatorial bid after Gov. Kim Reynolds announced in April that she is not seeking re-election.

In his endorsement released yesterday, Smith pointed to Feenstra’s work on passing tax policy when they served in the Iowa Senate together as an example of how he has served Iowa as an elected official.

“Randy is a fiscal conservative who will maintain our balanced budget and reduce the tax burden on Iowa families, farmers, and businesses,” Smith said in a statement. “I strongly endorse my friend Randy Feenstra for Governor because he will work with President Trump to take Iowa to new heights.”

Though he has not officially launched a campaign, Feenstra released a statewide advertising campaign Monday touting his conservative record. The $400,000 ad buy was aired across the state.

“I appreciate Treasurer Smith’s strong endorsement of our campaign for Governor. We worked together to cut taxes for Iowans, letting families and small businesses keep more of their hard-earned money, and we passed needed reforms to keep our elections secure,” Feenstra said in a statement. “As Governor, I will keep our state budget balanced, fight for fiscal responsibility, and promote election security. Working with President Trump, we will usher in America’s next golden age and take Iowa to new heights.”

Republican state Sen. Mike Bousselot, of Ankeny, announced in April that he also has launched an exploratory campaign to run for governor.

The only officially declared candidates in the Iowa governor’s race are Republican Brad Sherman, a pastor from Williamsburg, and Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand, who launched his campaign last week.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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