In a surprising announcement on April 11, 2025, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds declared she will not seek reelection in 2026, concluding nearly a decade of leadership in the state’s highest office.
A Decade of Service
Governor Reynolds, 65, ascended to the governorship in 2017 following the appointment of then-Governor Terry Branstad as U.S. Ambassador to China.
She was subsequently elected to full terms in 2018 and 2022, becoming Iowa’s first female governor. Her political journey began in Clarke County, where she served as treasurer before moving on to the Iowa Senate in 2008 and later as lieutenant governor.
In a heartfelt video posted on social media, Reynolds stated, “Serving as your governor has been the greatest honor of my life—an opportunity that, not so long ago, I never could have imagined.”
She cited a desire to spend more time with her family, particularly her husband, Kevin Reynolds, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023 and is currently in remission.
Policy Legacy
During her tenure, Reynolds championed several conservative initiatives that significantly shaped Iowa’s political landscape.
Notably, she signed into law the creation of publicly funded educational savings accounts in 2023, allowing students to use state funds for private school tuition and other approved expenses.
The program saw over 27,000 participants in its inaugural year and is set to expand further.
Reynolds also enacted legislation restricting transgender students’ access to certain school facilities and participation in sports teams, and she signed a bill removing gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code.
In 2023, she called a special legislative session to pass a law banning most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a measure that is now in effect.
Political Reactions
Reynolds’ announcement has elicited a range of responses from Iowa’s political figures. Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann praised her leadership, stating, “Taxes are low, cash reserves are full, our freedoms defended, and Iowa’s future has never been brighter.”
On the Democratic side, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart expressed optimism about the upcoming election, saying, “In 2026, voters will get to hold them accountable for taking our state in the wrong direction.”
The Road Ahead
Reynolds’ decision not to run opens the field for new candidates in the 2026 gubernatorial race. Brad Sherman, a former state representative and pastor, has already declared his candidacy.
Other potential Republican contenders include Attorney General Brenna Bird, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, and U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson.holding statewide office, considered a likely candidate.
As Iowa prepares for its first open gubernatorial race in nearly two decades, the political landscape is poised for significant shifts. Governor Reynolds has expressed confidence in the state’s future, stating, “I do not doubt that Iowa and our Republican Party …”