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Nov 3, 2026 · open seat

Iowa — Governor

Gov. Kim Reynolds isn't running, making this Iowa's first open governor's race since 2006, the last time a Democrat won it. Independent Sondra Wilson is also on the ballot.

Rob Sand
Rob Sand
Democrat · Age 44

State auditor since 2019 and Iowa’s only Democratic statewide officeholder. Former assistant attorney general. Unopposed in the primary.

Campaign website →
Zach Lahn
Zach Lahn
Republican · Age 40–41

Businessman and farmer who has never held elected office. Won the June 2 primary with 37.65% in an upset over Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra; Trump later endorsed him.

Campaign website →
Who's ahead? CookLEAN DSabatoLEAN DDDHQLEAN D
All three expect the seat to flip to Democrats. Ratings: Cook Political Report (Sept 10), Sabato’s Crystal Ball (Sept 3), Decision Desk HQ (Sept 12). Source →
Sand
50
Lahn
39
YouGov, ±3.5, released Sept 11. Emerson (released Sept 3) had Sand up 49–46 → Released Sept 11

Where they stand

Tap a topic that's important to you.

SAND SAYS
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LAHN SAYS
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Their big promises

SAND'S TOP 3
Lower health costs
End Medicaid privatization, set up a drug-price review board, and give caregivers a tax credit.
Make data centers pay their way
100% of their own utility costs, no tax breaks, no secret NDAs.
Universal pre-K and school meals
Paid for partly by reining in the private-school voucher program.
LAHN'S TOP 3
Confront the cancer crisis
Independent product safety testing, farm-runoff incentives, and university research aimed at Iowa.
Save the family farm
Add 10,000 family farms, seize land illegally owned by China, and sue farm-input monopolies.
Education back in the top 5
Strip licenses for classroom politics, cut testing, and let schools innovate.
Fundraising
CANDIDATERAISED MAY 27–JUL 14CASH ON HAND
Rob Sand$9.4M$18M
Zach Lahn$6.4M$1M+

Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board reports for May 27–July 14, 2026. $5 million of Lahn’s total came from a Republican Governors Association PAC; the Democratic Governors Association gave Sand $2.5 million. Iowa Public Radio, July 21 →

Sources

  1. Rob Sand — Making Life More Affordable · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
  2. Rob Sand — Data Centers plan · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
  3. Rob Sand — Cannabis plan · campaign website
  4. Sand “Accountability for All” plan · campaign release, Apr 3, 2026
  5. Sand “Opportunities for All” plan · campaign release, Aug 2026
  6. Sand cancer plan roundtable · campaign release, July 2026
  7. Zach Lahn — Policy · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
  8. Zach Lahn — About · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
  9. 2026 United States gubernatorial elections · Wikipedia (race ratings)
  10. Prison-worker bargaining position · Iowa Capital Dispatch
  11. Iowa Public Radio, July 21 · fundraising
Positions summarized from the candidates’ campaign websites · September 2026
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