Republican former state lawmaker announces he’s running for Iowa governor

A former one-term Republican state lawmaker formally announced plans on Monday to run for Iowa governor, setting up a potential primary challenge to incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Reynolds, who has been governor since 2017 when she succeeded former Gov. Terry Branstad after he was named U.S. ambassador to China during Trump’s first term, has not yet said publicly whether she plans to run for re-election in 2026.

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A representative with Reynolds’ campaign declined to comment on the governor’s plans and Sherman’s declared candidacy to seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Brad Sherman, a pastor from Williamsburg and early endorser of Republican President Donald Trump’s campaign ahead of the 2024 Iowa GOP caucuses, said in a news release his campaign “will focus on a platform of defending Iowans’ rights against eminent domain abuse, encouraging fiscal responsibility, promoting family values, and returning government to the foundational principles that made America great.”

Sherman served one term in the Iowa House, representing House District 91, which includes Tiffin, Swisher, Oxford and all of Iowa County. He did not seek re-election last year due to the sudden and unexpected death of his daughter in June 2023. Sherman recruited Republican Judd Lawler of Oxford to run for the seat and endorsed his successful campaign.

Sherman’s website also highlights “medical freedom” as a key issue of his campaign, along with mental health, human trafficking and education.

According to his campaign website, Sherman vows if elected to sign legislation reducing emergency powers of the governor “used to impose unconstitutional shutdowns” that harmed businesses and families during the COVID-19 pandemic, and “will work to dismantle the bureaucratic swamp that was responsible for the iron hand of tyranny we saw from the medical establishment during COVID.”

“The foundational values upon which our liberties rest have been dangerously undermined and now we’re at a crossroads,” Sherman said in his news release. “As Governor, I will work hard to restore the foundations of freedom and stand for the constitutional rights of every individual, ensuring that Iowa remains a welcoming place for faith, families, and thriving businesses.”

He plans to hold a campaign launch event Saturday in Mason City.

Sherman faces long odds against Reynolds, who is presumed to seek re-election.

Jimmy Centers, an Iowa Republican strategist who has worked on presidential, congressional, gubernatorial and legislative campaigns, said Reynolds is well-positioned to win a Republican primary.

Reynolds raised $1.8 million last year, according to her latest state campaign finance report filed last month, and has more than $3 million in cash on hand.

Sherman had about $8,400 in cash on hand for his gubernatorial campaign, according to a January filing with Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board.

Centers served as communications director for the Terry Branstad-Kim Reynolds gubernatorial administration. He co-founded Cornerstone Public Affairs in Des Moines.

“Gov. Reynolds is going to run on a very strong track record that conservatives and Iowans love,” Centers said.

That includes cutting taxes, consolidating state agencies and allowing Iowa families to use taxpayer dollars to choose K-12 education options that best fit their children, including private schooling options.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addresses supporters during a campaign event March 11, 2022, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. (The Gazette)

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Supporters of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds give her a standing ovation as she takes the stage during a campaign event on March 11, 2022, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. (The Gazette)

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Gretchen Whitehouse, 8, of Marion holds up a sign in support of Gov. Kim Reynolds as she speaks to a large audience during a women-led Republican rally at World Class Industries in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 25, 2022. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

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“And I’m sure she’ll run on a vision of Iowa that will continue to put tax dollars back into the pockets of Iowans and continue to attract people, employers and jobs to the state and continue to strengthen education,” he said.

A sizable number of Iowa Republicans, though, have signaled their openness to more MAGA-aligned Trump loyalists and anti-establishment candidates in recent elections.

Last year, Republican primary challengers Kevin Virgil and David Pautsch each received about 40 percent of the vote against U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, respectively, even though both GOP incumbents massively outspent their primary challengers.

“This past election showed Iowa is ruby red, and it’s not uncommon to have a primary challenger in this day and age,” Centers said, calling it a “reflection of how Iowa has taken a hard right turn, due in large part to the work Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature have done in the last several years.”

“This shouldn’t come as a surprise, and I would not be surprised if other statewide and congressional candidates have primary challengers, too,” Centers said.

Erin Murphy of The Gazette contributed to this report.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com