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The2026 Iowa gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026,[1] to elect thegovernor of thestate ofIowa. IncumbentRepublican GovernorKim Reynolds declined to seek a third full term in office.[2][3] Primaries for this election will be held on June 2, 2026.[1]
This is the first open seat gubernatorial election in the state since2006, which was also the last gubernatorial election in Iowa won by a Democrat.
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[45] | Lean R | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[46] | Likely R | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[47] | Lean R | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[48] | Tossup | January 14, 2026 |
Randy Feenstra vs. Rob Sand
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Randy Feenstra (R) | Rob Sand (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z to A Research (D)[49][50] | October 9–13, 2025 | 1,351 (LV) | ± 2.7% | 43% | 45% | 12% |
Rep. Grassley had previously said he was considering a run for governor
GOP State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann said he couldn't pass up the opportunity to run for [majority leader]. He originally was strongly considering a run for governor but said a statewide position isn't in the cards
Vander Plaats waved off any suggestion he might be compelled to seek the nomination himself. 'I'm not running,' he said.
Ames resident and Iowa State University student Sondra Wilson has filed paperwork with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board to run for governor as a no-party candidate in 2026.
