Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Won’t Seek Reelection \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced she will not run for a third term. Her decision marks the first open Iowa governor’s race in nearly 20 years. Reynolds leaves behind a legacy of conservative reforms and GOP dominance.
Quick Looks
- Gov. Kim Reynolds will not seek a third term in 2026.
- Reynolds has served as Iowa’s governor since 2017, following Terry Branstad’s ambassadorship.
- Her departure sets up Iowa’s first open gubernatorial race in nearly 20 years.
- Reynolds cited family reasons, referencing her husband’s cancer battle.
- She was Iowa’s first female governor and a GOP national figure.
- Under Reynolds, Iowa enacted school choice, abortion restrictions, and anti-trans laws.
- Republicans expanded legislative power during her administration.
- Reynolds endorsed Ron DeSantis in 2023, breaking with Trump.
- Her campaign fund showed signs of preparation for another term.
- GOP and Democrats both react — 2026 is expected to be a fierce race.
Deep Look
In a move that took many by surprise, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Friday that she will not seek a third term in 2026, ending nearly a decade in the state’s highest office. Reynolds, a Republican and Iowa’s first female governor, made the announcement in a personal video message posted on social media, citing her desire to prioritize family and step back after years of public service.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” Reynolds said in the video. “But when my term ends, I will have had the privilege of serving as your governor for almost 10 years.”
Her announcement brings a close to an influential and often controversial tenure, one that reshaped Iowa’s political identity and placed Reynolds at the heart of national GOP leadership. The decision opens the door to a competitive gubernatorial election in 2026 — Iowa’s first without an incumbent since 2006.
From Rural Treasurer to State Leader
Reynolds’ political journey began in Clarke County, a rural region in southern Iowa with fewer than 10,000 residents. She served as county treasurer before winning a seat in the Iowa Senate in 2008. In 2010, she was tapped as then-Governor Terry Branstad’s running mate and was elected lieutenant governor.
When Branstad was appointed U.S. ambassador to China in 2017, Reynolds ascended to the governorship. She later secured full terms in 2018 and 2022, becoming a central figure in shaping Iowa’s shift from a swing state to a Republican stronghold.
A Decade of Conservative Transformation
Under Reynolds’ leadership, Iowa became a case study in conservative governance. She successfully championed key priorities of the Republican agenda, including school choice, tax cuts, and cultural legislation that mirrored national GOP talking points.
In 2023, Reynolds signed legislation creating publicly funded educational savings accounts for private school tuition and other expenses. The program has already seen over 27,000 students enroll and is projected to cost the state more than $314 million in the coming year. Critics say the move diverts essential funds from public schools, but Reynolds framed it as a win for parental rights and educational freedom.
She also moved swiftly on social issues, supporting legislation that restricts transgender students from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity and participating in sports teams that match their gender. In 2024, she signed a bill removing gender identity as a protected class in Iowa’s civil rights code — a dramatic rollback that drew sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
Reynolds also used her platform to pass a six-week abortion ban during a rare special legislative session in 2023, aligning Iowa with other GOP-led states imposing early abortion restrictions.
National Spotlight and Party Leadership
Reynolds’ influence extended well beyond Iowa’s borders. She delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s 2022 address to Congress and served as chair of the Republican Governors Association. She embraced the national spotlight, especially during Iowa’s presidential caucuses.
In 2023, she broke with tradition — and with Donald Trump — by endorsing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential primary. The move stunned many in Iowa politics, where governors historically stayed neutral. Her endorsement signaled a clear divide within the GOP and reflected her comfort with playing a more prominent national role.
Despite national ambitions speculated by some, Reynolds’ Friday announcement seems to signal a shift in focus. “My family has stood by me every step of the way,” she said. “Now it’s time for me to be there for them.”
Her husband, Kevin Reynolds, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023. In January, the governor revealed his cancer was in remission, but family health likely played a role in her decision.
Republican Reaction and the Path Ahead
Reynolds’ departure leaves Iowa Republicans without a clear successor for the first time in years. Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds have shaped Iowa’s executive leadership for nearly two decades, and the 2026 race is expected to be wide open.
One Republican, pastor and former state representative Brad Sherman, had already announced his candidacy before Reynolds’ news. Others are now expected to follow.
State GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann praised Reynolds’ legacy, saying in a statement: “Taxes are low, cash reserves are full, our freedoms defended, and Iowa’s future has never been brighter.”
Her campaign committee raised $1.8 million in 2023 and held $3 million in cash by year’s end — a war chest that had signaled to many she was preparing to run again. Her pivot now raises questions about whether she may be eyeing another political path, or if this marks a full exit from public life.
Democrats Look to 2026
For Iowa Democrats, Reynolds’ decision offers a rare opening. The party has struggled in statewide races over the past decade, with Republicans consistently expanding legislative and executive control. Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart issued a sharp response on Friday.
“In 2026, voters will get to hold them accountable for taking our state in the wrong direction,” Hart said, referencing GOP policies on abortion, education, and civil rights.
Democrats have yet to announce any major contenders for the 2026 race, but the absence of an incumbent provides a fresh opportunity to recalibrate their message and rebuild voter coalitions in a state that once backed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
Legacy and Unfinished Business
As Reynolds prepares to exit, her imprint on Iowa is undeniable. She led the state through the COVID-19 pandemic, often taking a less restrictive approach than neighboring states, drawing both praise and criticism. She cemented Iowa’s transformation into a deeply red state and helped position it as a GOP policy proving ground.
Whether her departure marks the end of her political career or a transition to national ambitions remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Reynolds leaves office having fundamentally reshaped Iowa — and the next chapter of the state’s political story begins now.
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