With Reynolds Gone...Who Will Be Iowa's Next Governor?

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that after two terms as Iowa's governor, she will not seek re-election. Thus begins the campaign for Iowa governor. So who's in the race for the state's top elected office?

Reynold's announcement came as a bit of a surprise. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that her departure marks the first time an incumbent won't appear on the ballot in the race for governor since 2006, and only the third time since 1982. In other words, things just got interesting for both Republicans and Democrats.

Who Has Announced They Are Running For Governor?

The Gazette reports that Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, Rep. Bobby Kaufman, Sen. Michael Bousselot, and Ag Secretary Mike Naig have stated that they are considering a run for the governor's office in 2026.

Facebook via Speaker Pat Grassley

41-year-old Pat Grassley is a Republican and a farmer from New Hartford, Iowa. The Gazette reports that he was first elected in 2006 and has served as House speaker since 2020. He is also the grandson of longtime Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. When asked about his political future, he stated, "I'm not ruling anything out."

Bobby Kaufman is a 30-year-old farmer who also owns a construction and demolition business in Cedar County. The Gazette reports that the Republican was first elected in 2012 and currently chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. Kaufman is the son of Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufman, and he worked for the Trump campaign as a senior adviser ahead of the 2024 Iowa caucuses.

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Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a statement last week saying that she too will consider running for governor of Iowa.

As of now, the Gazette reports that there is only one officially declared candidate for governor. That would be former one-term Republican state lawmaker and pastor Brad Sherman from Williamsburg.

What About the Democrats?

The Gazette reports that so far, one Democrat has officially declared for the governor's race, Paul Dahl of Webster City, Iowa. Many believe that state auditor, Democrat Rob Sand, will also run, although he has made no announcements about his future plans.