| Election Name: | 1881 Iowa gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Iowa |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1879 Iowa gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1879 |
| Next Election: | 1883 Iowa gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1883 |
| Election Date: | October 11, 1881 |
| Nominee1: | Buren R. Sherman |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 133,328 |
| Percentage1: | 56.72% |
| Nominee2: | L. G. Kinne |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 73,344 |
| Percentage2: | 31.20% |
| Image3: | 3x4.svg |
| Nominee3: | D. M. Clark |
| Party3: | Greenback Party |
| Popular Vote3: | 28,112 |
| Percentage3: | 11.96% |
| Map Size: | 240px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | John H. Gear |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Buren R. Sherman |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1881 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on October 11, 1881. Republican nominee Buren R. Sherman defeated Democratic nominee L. G. Kinne with 56.72% of the vote.
Major party candidates
Other candidates