Rob Sand (D), Zach Lahn (R), and Nicholas Gluba (L) are running in the general election for governor of Iowa on November 3, 2026.

The Hill's Caroline Vakil said, "While Iowa hasn’t elected a Democrat for governor in two decades, Democrats see an unusually strong candidate in Sand. He is currently the only member of the party to hold a statewide office in Iowa ... Lahn has touted his background as a six-generation Iowan and positioned himself as the anti-establishment Republican candidate."

Sand was elected Iowa Auditor in 2018. He earlier worked as the chief prosecutor for public corruption cases in the office of the Iowa Attorney General. Sand completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In his response, Sand said he "uncovered more waste, fraud, and abuse in a single term than any other State Auditor in Iowa history ... I had both an independent and a Republican in senior leadership positions, and promoted – not fired – employees who made campaign contributions to my political opponents." Sand's running mate is Dave Muhlbauer (D).

Lahn is a farmer and businessman. He and his wife co-founded the investment firm Homeplace Ventures and the Wichita, Kansas, private school Wonder. Lahn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In his response, Lahn said, "I believe Iowa can be a beacon — the safest, freest, most family-centered state in America. That future won’t come from consultants or career politicians. It will come from courage rooted in place, history, and duty. This is Iowa. This is our home. And it’s worth fighting for." As of June 11, 2026, Lahn had not announced a running mate.

As of June 11, 2026, Gluba had not announced a running mate.

The election will be a factor in determining Iowa's trifecta and triplex status. Heading into the election, Republicans have both a trifecta and a triplex in Iowa.

Republicans will maintain their trifecta if Lahn wins the gubernatorial election and Iowans re-elect Republican majorities to the state Senate and state House. Democrats will gain a trifecta if Sand wins the gubernatorial election and Iowans elect Democratic majorities to the state Senate and state House.

Republicans will maintain their triplex if Lahn, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R), and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate (R) each win their general elections. Democrats will gain a triplex if Sand, attorney general nominee Nate Willems (D), and secretary of state nominee Ryan Peterman (D) each win their general elections.

Incumbent Kim Reynolds (R) is not running for re-election. As of June 2026, Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales rated the general election Tilt Republican and Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball and The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter rated it Toss-up.

The last Democrat to win election as governor of Iowa was Chet Culver (D) in 2006. In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) defeated Kamala Harris (D) 55.7%–42.5% in Iowa. In the 2022 gubernatorial election, Reynolds defeated Deidre DeJear (D) 58.0%–39.5%.