2026 Iowa gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
Country:	Iowa
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2022 Iowa gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2022
Next Election:	2030 Iowa gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2030
Election Date:	November 3, 2026
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:	Kim Reynolds
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)

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 is eligible to run for re-election to a third full term, as Iowa does not have gubernatorial term limits.

Republican primary

Candidates

Potential

• Kim Reynolds, incumbent governor

Declined

• Pat Grassley, speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives (running for re-election)

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Paul Dahl, perennial candidate^[1]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jennifer Konfrst, minority leader of the Iowa House of Representatives^[2]

Potential

• Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State^[3]

Notes and References

1. News: Democrat announces candidacy for 2026 Iowa gubernatorial race . Conner . Hendricks . . November 13, 2024 . November 16, 2024 .
2. News: Gruber-Miller . Stephen . Will House Democratic leader Jennifer Konfrst run for Iowa governor in 2026? . September 13, 2024 . The Des Moines Register . May 6, 2024.
3. News: Gruber-Miller . Stephen . Iowa Poll: Democrat Rob Sand has higher job approval than GOP's Kim Reynolds, Brenna Bird . September 13, 2024 . The Des Moines Register . June 23, 2024.