Iowa politics: 5 candidates set to face off in Republican gubernatorial primary

DES MOINES, Iowa — EDITOR’S NOTE: As of May 26, Rep. Randy Feenstra has not made himself available for an interview with Local 5.    

Five Republicans vying to be Iowa’s next governor are making their final push before the primary on June 2.  

The crowded Republican primary field comes after sitting Gov. Kim Reynolds announced last year she would not seek reelection. 

Reynolds first took office in 2017 after then-Gov. Terry Branstad stepped down to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to China. As such, 2026 marks the first time in over ten years that Iowa Republicans won’t have an incumbent running for governor. 

It’s also a critical time for Republicans in the state. The Cook Political Report is calling the gubernatorial race a toss-up. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by left-leaning GBAO claims both the gubernatorial and Senate races are competitive. 

Across the aisle, Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand is running unopposed in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. 

The five Republicans on the ballot represent a wide range of political experiences, ranging from a sitting congressman to state legislators, businessmen and farmers.

Rep. Randy Feenstra, who currently represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, has the highest name recognition of the five candidates.  

The three-term congressman was first elected to the U.S. House in 2020. On Capitol Hill, Feenstra serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee.  

During his time in Congress, Feenstra says he was “instrumental” in writing President Donald Trump’s tax cut package. Feenstra also led the charge to pass “Sarah’s Law,” an amendment to the Laken Riley Act that requires ICE to detain undocumented immigrants who are charged with killing or seriously injuring another person.  

If elected governor, Feenstra says he will focus on growing the economy, investing in education and lowering costs for Iowans. 

In contrast to Feenstra leaning on his time in D.C., fellow candidate Adam Steen is taking a different approach.  

As a former small business owner and the former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, Steen prides himself on not being a life-long politician.  

“My business background combined with my operational background puts me in just a great spot to take over the leadership of the state as the governor,” Steen said in an April interview.  

Steen told Local 5 he hopes to take a business approach to government operations and promised to preserve school choice, reduce government waste and protect property rights.  

Iowa State Rep. Eddie Andrews is yet another candidate in the race. The former tech entrepreneur and youth mentor was first elected to the statehouse in 2021.  

As governor, Andrews has his sights set on reducing property taxes, protecting landowners and championing mental healthcare, according to his campaign website. 

“I'm the promises made, promises kept candidate,” Andrews said in an interview with Local 5. “No offense to anyone else, but there's value in experience, and if you look at somebody who's actually said something and actually done something, there's no comparison that I take the kick on that one.” 

Candidate Zach Lahn, a farmer and businessman, has made addressing cancer rates in Iowa a key part of his platform, earning the endorsement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA Action organization. 

As a sixth-generation Iowan, Lahn’s campaign emphasizes his support for Iowa farmers and landowners' rights.  

“We're running our campaign on Iowa issues, and they're just common sense issues that Iowans want to see tackled,” Lahn said in an interview with Local 5. 

Rounding out the field is former State Rep. Brad Sherman, a pastor, author and co-founder of Informed Choices Medical Clinics.  

“I got a broad range of experience and then served in the legislature as well and had a pretty good look under the hood there,” Sherman said in an interview with Local 5 last month. “There's a broad range of experience there that gives me a leg up.” 

A self-described “political outsider” and “true conservative,” Sherman’s campaign is centered around protecting property rights, maintaining civil liberties and restricting abortion access. 

The primary election is set for Tuesday, June 2. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. 

Stay with Local 5 on Election Day at weareiowa.com/elections. Local 5 will also be streaming live on the WeAreIowa app from 8-10 p.m. on the day of the primary. Download the app on your smart TV today to start watching for free.