Iowa’s Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Rob Sand addresses the press following his primary vote cast on June 2, 2026, in Des Moines. Republican gubernatorial contender, Representative Randy Feenstra, engages with attendees at a political rally on May 30, 2026, near Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/Getty Images | Scott Olson/Getty Images
The pathway to controlling Congress may traverse the Midwest, including Iowa, notwithstanding the state’s consistent Republican leaning over the past decade.
For the first time in decades, the state features open U.S. Senate and gubernatorial seats, alongside several closely contested congressional races that could significantly alter the power dynamic in Washington.
In a midterm election cycle where voters typically hold the incumbent party accountable, Democrats are expressing optimism about their chances. They are capitalizing on the president’s low approval ratings and growing unease regarding potential healthcare cutbacks, trade tariffs, and the escalating costs of fuel and fertilizer impacting the agricultural sector.
Iowa’s Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Rob Sand addresses the press following his primary vote cast on June 2, 2026, in Des Moines. Republican gubernatorial contender, Representative Randy Feenstra, engages with attendees at a political rally on May 30, 2026, near Sioux Rapids, Iowa.Charlie Neibergall/Getty Images | Scott Olson/Getty Images
Republicans currently hold all of Iowa’s congressional seats and secured a complete sweep of state-level offices in 2016. While registered Republicans outnumber Democrats statewide, independent voters (“no party” affiliation) exceed both major parties in three of the state’s four congressional districts.
On Tuesday, voters from the two primary parties will determine their respective nominees, presenting a potential early gauge of President Donald Trump’s influence and the candidates best positioned to uphold or challenge his policies.
“All eyes are on Iowa this year,” stated Erin Moynihan, a senior advisor for the Iowa Democratic Party. “I believe Iowa offers multiple opportunities for victories and for restoring the Democratic majority in D.C.”
An open Senate seat presents an opportunity
For the Democratic party, reclaiming the Senate seat currently held by retiring Republican Joni Ernst represents a significant challenge. No Democrat has won this seat since 2008, coinciding with Barack Obama’s presidential victory in the state. However, national organizations from both political spectrums have already committed substantial investments to this race, signaling its potential competitiveness.
State Representative Josh Turek and State Senator Zach Wahls are vying for the Democratic nomination. They have engaged in debates concerning external funding in the campaign and strategies to overcome legislative gridlock in Washington.
Democratic Senate Candidate Josh Turek addresses attendees at a political event on May 29, 2026, in Westside, Iowa. Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Zach Wahls speaks with journalists after submitting his early Iowa primary ballot at the Johnson County Administration Building on May 22, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa.Scott Olson/Getty Images | Charlie Neibergall/Getty Images
Turek, aged 47, is promoting a “prairie populism” agenda and highlighting his electoral success, having previously defeated his Republican adversary in a conservative district. Wahls, 34, has pledged to prioritize “Iowans over insiders” and combat corruption.
The eventual winner will likely face off against Trump-backed Representative Ashley Hinson. She is contending with a challenge from Jim Carlin, a former state senator and military veteran.
House races could be nail-biters in November
With Hinson pursuing a Senate seat, her position in the 2nd Congressional District is now open. Trump-endorsed former State Representative Joe Mitchell has significantly out-raised his primary competitor, State Senator Charlie McClintock.
Some Democratic candidates are emphasizing their religious affiliations. The primary for the 2nd Congressional District includes State Representative Lindsay James, an ordained Presbyterian minister, and Clint Twedt-Ball, a United Methodist pastor. Kathy Dolter, a retired Army nurse, is also participating. While the primaries for the 3rd Congressional District are uncontested, the general election is anticipated to be highly competitive. Republican incumbent Representative Zach Nunn is defending his seat against State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, an ordained Lutheran minister.
Democratic nominee for Iowa’s 1st congressional district Christina Bohannan addresses supporters during an election night gathering at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City, Iowa, Nov. 5, 2024. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks speaks at her Triple M Tailgate fundraising event in Iowa City, Iowa, Oct. 24, 2025.Nick Rohlman/The Gazette via AP
In the 1st Congressional District, a third electoral rematch is widely anticipated between former Democratic State Representative Christina Bohannan and incumbent Republican Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks. In 2024, Miller-Meeks secured a narrow victory over Bohannan by less than a quarter of a percentage point.
Businessman David Pautsch, who lost to Miller-Meeks in the 2024 GOP primary with 44% of the vote, is challenging the incumbent once more. In the Democratic primary, Bohannan is facing Travis Terrell, a healthcare professional who has positioned himself as an anti-establishment candidate.
Democrats have sights set on open governor’s race
Incumbent Republican Governor Kim Reynolds is stepping down, creating an opening for a competitive gubernatorial contest. Democrats are placing their hopes on a robustly funded candidate in Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand. He is running without opposition in the primary, aiming to become the state’s first Democratic governor since 2011.
Five Republican candidates are competing in the GOP gubernatorial primary. Trump had not publicly supported a candidate until Friday, when he endorsed U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra, a three-term congressman representing the deeply conservative northwestern region of the state. In a divergence from Trump’s endorsement, the conservative organization Turning Point Action backed one of Feenstra’s rivals, businessman and farmer Zach Lahn, shortly thereafter.
Feenstra entered the race as the perceived front-runner. While some established political figures support him, certain conservative factions have expressed reservations due to his absence from debates and perceived lack of enthusiasm among party loyalists.
Lahn also has the backing of “Make America Healthy Again” Action Inc., an organization associated with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and former GOP Representative Steve King, who faced censure in 2019 for remarks concerning white supremacy.
Also on the ballot is Adam Steen, a former director at the Iowa Department of Administrative Services endorsed by Bob Vander Plaats of The FAMiLY Leader, a prominent evangelical Christian group, alongside State Representative Eddie Andrews and former State Representative Brad Sherman, who is a pastor.
Should no candidate secure at least 35% of the vote on Tuesday, the state’s party leaders will convene to select a winner on June 13.
“Once the polls close and our nominees are chosen, we must unite as a single team with a singular objective: to thwart the radical Democrats, fueled by external funding, who perceive Iowa as being open for acquisition,” stated Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann to ABC News.
In the gubernatorial race, Sand has already launched three television advertisements and reported possessing approximately $18.2 million in available funds.
“He will not suffer from a lack of funds, a situation that has historically affected Democratic challengers,” noted Kelly Shaw, a political science professor at Iowa State University, in comments to ABC News, predicting that November’s contest will be “a fierce battle.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com