# IA-Gov — 2026 Iowa Governor's Race > [!note] Stub > This is a short entry that hasn't been fully written yet. The seat is open because Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is not running. Democrat **[[Rob Sand]]**, the state auditor and one of the few Democrats elected statewide in Iowa, faces Republican **Zach Lahn**. The Libertarian ticket was removed from the ballot in June. **Ratings:** Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabato's Crystal Ball all rated it Lean Democratic. The Associated Press lists Iowa among the open seats Democrats are targeting. ## Result > [!success] Called: Rob Sand (D) wins, a Democratic pickup > Decision Desk HQ projected on election night, November 3, 2026, that Democrat [[Rob Sand]] defeated Republican Zach Lahn for the governorship Republican Kim Reynolds has held since 2017. Vote totals are unofficial until Iowa certifies the result. Source: [Townhall, reporting the Decision Desk HQ projection](https://townhall.com/news/cameron-arcand/2026/11/03/democrat-rob-sand-flips-iowa-governors-office-n2685867). Live coverage: [[2026 Midterms Live - Election Results War Room]]. ## Sources - [Ballotpedia: Iowa gubernatorial election, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Iowa_gubernatorial_election,_2026) - [NPR: the 36 races for governor](https://apps.npr.org/primary-election-results-2026/governors.html) - [Associated Press via PBS NewsHour: Democrats try to take majority of governors' offices (Nov. 3, 2026)](https://pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrats-try-to-take-majority-of-governors-offices-for-first-time-in-two-decades) ## Connections - [[2026 Governor Races Hub]] - [[2026 Midterms Live - Election Results War Room]]