Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026

Reynolds' decision ends a nearly decade-long tenure defined by conservative reforms and reshapes the state's political landscape.

Kim Reynolds officially declared she will not run for re-election in 2026, concluding her governorship just shy of ten years.
Her tenure was marked by significant conservative policies, including school vouchers, abortion restrictions, and tax cuts.
Reynolds' endorsement of Ron DeSantis over Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race underscored shifting alliances within the GOP.
Recent polling showed Reynolds with a 49% disapproval rating, the highest among U.S. governors, reflecting challenges in her later years in office.
Her departure sets the stage for a competitive gubernatorial race in Iowa, with GOP former state Rep. Brad Sherman emerging as an early contender.