‘I’m the faith guy’: Former Iowa DAS head Adam Steen launches gubernatorial bid

PLEASANT HILL — Former Iowa Department of Administrative Services director and Republican Adam Steen said his goal to live his life in full preparation of higher levels of leadership so that the “lord would be exalted” is what drove him to announce a run for governor at a campaign launch event Tuesday evening.

In a packed room at Berean Church in Pleasant Hill, Steen, of Runnells, announced his candidacy following a performance by the church band, A17 Worship, and an introduction from the church’s lead pastor, highlighting the prominence Steen’s faith will play in his campaign.

“I am the faith guy, I’m a Jesus guy, I’m a Make America Great Again guy,” Steen said as the audience responded with “amens”.

“I decided 15 years ago that I would not stray from becoming the type of leader the lord would want me to be.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Steen as DAS director in 2021. Before then, Steen previously served as the director of business development at Syverson Strege, a financial services firm. In 2002, Steen played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Batavia Muckdogs as a relief pitcher.

With his campaign launch, Steen also announced his resignation from DAS.

“Today, at 10 a.m. I walked into the governor's office and I submitted my resignation,” Steen said. “I walked away from a job, a job that I loved, so I could join the fight and defend the state that I love.”

Steen, 45, highlighted his accomplishments as DAS director, including denying the Satanic Temple of Iowa’s request to set up a display and hold a celebration in the Iowa State Capitol rotunda last December and denying a request to hold an all-ages, family-friendly drag show at the Capitol.

In December, Steen argued the temple's display violated the obscenity guidelines in the memorandum of understanding groups are required to follow when holding displays or events at the Capitol complex. The guideline prohibits “obscene materials” including ones that depict “gratuitous violence or gore.”

The temple later brought a lawsuit against Steen, arguing that his cancellation of their request violated their First Amendment rights.

“I’m a guy that stood in front of the satanists when they blatantly targeted children, and I’m the guy being sued by the satanists for protecting our children,” Steen said. “I’m the guy that denied a request for an all-ages, family-friendly drag show at the Capitol; you never heard about that, did you? You didn’t hear about that because I risked being sued again, but I don’t care because I’ll never stop fighting for our children.”

During his speech, Steen also praised Reynolds and said he’d carry her legacy forward if he wins.

“Gov. Reynolds is the greatest governor in the history of Iowa,” Steen said. “I’m a guy that’s excited to honor that legacy and carry forward a bold, winning attitude.”

Steen joins a field of four other Republicans running for the office, including state Rep. Eddie Andrews of Johnston and Williamsburg pastor Brad Sherman. U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and state Sen. Mike Bousselot are currently running exploratory campaigns.

The primary election in Iowa is scheduled for June 2, 2026.