The 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of the state of Iowa. Incumbent Republican Governor Kim Reynolds declined to seek a third full term in office. Primaries for this election will be held on June 2, 2026.
This is the first open seat gubernatorial election in the state since 2006, which was also the last gubernatorial election in Iowa won by a Democrat.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Declined
- Brenna Bird, Attorney General of Iowa (2023âÂÂpresent) (running for re-election)
- Mike Bousselot, state senator from the 21st district (2023âÂÂpresent) (running for re-election)
- Chris Cournoyer, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2024âÂÂpresent) (running for state auditor)
- Pat Grassley, Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives (2020âÂÂpresent) from the 57th district (2007âÂÂpresent) and grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (running for re-election)
- Ashley Hinson, U.S. representative from (2021âÂÂpresent) (running for U.S. Senate)
- Bobby Kaufmann, state representative from the 82nd district (2013âÂÂpresent) (running for re-election)
- Kari Lake, senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (2025âÂÂpresent) and nominee for governor of Arizona in 2022 and U.S. senator in 2024
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. representative from Iowa's 1st congressional district (2021âÂÂpresent) (running for re-election)
- Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture (2018âÂÂpresent) (running for re-election)
- Zach Nunn, U.S. representative from (2023âÂÂpresent) (running for re-election)
- Kim Reynolds, incumbent governor (2017âÂÂpresent)
- Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader, nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006, and candidate for governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010 (endorsed Steen)
Endorsements
Democratic primary
Candidates
Presumptive nominee
Disqualified
Did not file
- Paul Dahl, bus driver and perennial candidate
Endorsements
Independents
Declared
- Sondra Wilson, pre-law student (previously ran as a Democrat)
General election
Predictions
Polling
Randy Feenstra vs. Rob Sand<br />
See also
Notes
References
External links
Official campaign websites