Primary
Democratic Primary
Held June 2, 2026.
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Sand ✓ | 189,442 | 99.6% |
Republican Primary
Held June 2, 2026.
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Lahn ✓ | 80,765 | 37.7% | |
| Randy Feenstra | 79,113 | 36.9% | |
| Adam Steen | 31,087 | 14.5% | |
| Brad Sherman | 15,076 | 7.0% | |
| Eddie Andrews | 7,694 | 3.6% |
Full calendar and every race: Iowa primary guide
Race Overview
General Election Polling Trend
Showing the published average. The rating above uses this figure.
The right edge is that same average of the last three polls. This is an average, not a forecast.
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General Election Polling Average
Average is the unweighted mean of the last three scientific public polls. Fewer than three uses the polls that exist. The rating uses that average when the newest poll ended in the last 30 days. The table lists the polls in that average, plus the most recent 30 days or the newest 3 polls, whichever is more — subscribe for the full history. How accurate is each pollster? →
| Pollster | Date | Sample | MoE | Dem | Rep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouGov | 2026-10-12 | 2245 LV | ±3.10 | Rob Sand 50.00% | Zach Lahn 44.00% |
| Emerson College 2024 err 2.7 | 2026-10-06 | 650 LV | ±3.80 | Rob Sand 49.00% | Zach Lahn 45.00% |
| CNN/SSRS | 2026-10-05 | 801 LV | Rob Sand 51.00% | Zach Lahn 42.00% | |
| Suffolk University | 2026-10-04 | 500 LV | ±4.40 | Rob Sand 55.00% | Zach Lahn 43.00% |
| The New York Times/Siena University 2024 err 3.1 | 2026-10-01 | 606 LV | Rob Sand 52.00% | Zach Lahn 41.00% | |
| Beacon Research (D)/ Shaw & Co. Research (R) 2024 err 2.3 | 2026-09-28 | 1008 LV | ±3.00 | Rob Sand 53.00% | Zach Lahn 44.00% |
| Marist University | 2026-09-20 | 1050 RV | Rob Sand 54.00% | Zach Lahn 42.00% |
Questions About This Race
Who is winning the 2026 Iowa governor's race?
Rob Sand leads Zach Lahn 50% to 43.7% in the PollingSource polling average — a D+6.3 margin based on 3 polls, the last three or fewer.
Is the 2026 Iowa governor's race competitive?
It is not considered a top-tier battleground: the PollingSource polling average rates it Likely D, the current rating band. An upset is not impossible.
What does the latest poll of the 2026 Iowa governor's race say?
The most recent public poll, from YouGov (completed October 12, 2026), found Rob Sand (D) at 50% and Zach Lahn (R) at 44%.
When is the 2026 Iowa governor's race decided?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
How is the PollingSource average calculated?
The PollingSource average is the unweighted mean of the last three scientific public polls, or fewer when fewer exist. One poll sets the rating when it ended in the last 30 days. We do not exclude pollsters. The table lists recent polls, including ones older than those three. Full details: pollingsource.com/methodology.
Race Notes
Term-limited, open seat
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