NEWS

Iowans who wanted to run for a statewide office, US Senate, Congress, or the State Legislature had to file their campaign paperwork by Friday, March 13th.  There were a couple of surprises, including one Democratic candidate for Governor finding out that there were problems with some of the signatures on her nomination petition.  Those problems mean she (Julie Stauch) will not appear on the ballot.  Another surprise, Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate does not have an opponent.

We now know that 26 legislators will not seek re-election, although some are running for a different office. They include:

State Senators Retiring (9)

• Sen. Tom Shipley (R-Senate District 9)
• Sen. Julian Garrett (R-Senate District 11)
• Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R-Senate District 13)
• Sen. Izaah Knox (D-Senate District 17)
• Sen. Ken Rozenboom (D-Senate District 19)
• Sen. Mike Bousselot (R-Senate District 21) — running for Senate District 23
• Sen. Jack Whitver (R-Senate District 23)
• Sen. Bill Dotzler (D-Senate District 31)
• Sen. Zach Wahls (D-Senate District 43) — running for US Senate

State Representatives Retiring (17)

• Rep. JD Scholten (D-House District 1)
• Rep. Tom Jeneary (R-House District 3)
• Rep. Zach Dieken (R-House District 5)
• Rep. Matt Windschitl (R-House District 15)
• Rep. Josh Turek (D-House District 20) — running for US Senate
• Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-House District 32)
• Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines (D-House District 33)
• Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla (R-House District 37) — running for State Senate
• Rep. Jon Dunwell (R-House District 38)
• Rep. Rick Olson (D-House District 39)
• Rep. Heather Matson (D-House District 42)— running for State Senate
• Rep. Eddie Andrews (R-House District 43) — running for Governor
• Rep. Shannon Latham (R-House District 55)
• Rep. Timi Brown-Powers (D-House District 61)— running for State Senate
• Rep. Lindsay James (D-House District 71)— running for US Congress
• Rep. Bob Kressig (D-House District 75)
• Rep. Monica Kurth (D-House District 98)

About half of the legislators up for re-election have no opponent in the November election (12 Senate seats, 43 House seats). Only three Senators have an opponent in the June primary: Senators Lynn Evans, David Rowley, and Annette Sweeney. There are ten Republican Representatives that will have a primary opponent: Representatives Brett Barker, Mike Bergan, Jane Bloomingdale, Mark Cisneros, Helena Hayes, Christian Hermanson, Chad Ingels, Brian Lohse, Carter Nordman, and Devon Wood. Only one Democrat faces a primary opponent: Rep. Ken Croken.

Those that do not have an opponent in the November general election are not out of the woods yet. The opposing political party still has time to nominate a candidate (deadline is August 19, 2026).  You can see the full candidate list (with contact information) here.