Iowa’s primaries are setting up impactful races for the general election ahead on Nov. 3.
Voters will make their choice for governor in an open race — a race with no incumbent on the ballot — for the first time since 2006. Iowans will also elect a new U.S. senator. The results in Iowa could even influence the balance of power in Washington, D.C.
Republicans are looking to maintain their grip on state politics, and to lean on their margin over Democrats among active registered voters. Democrats see the national political mood souring on the Trump administration, and they believe — with the right candidates in place — there is an opportunity to flip elected offices away from the GOP.
The race to the November midterms begins with the results in the June primaries.
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Results breakdown
Iowa governor: Lahn wins, faces Sand
Businessman Zach Lahn won the Republican nomination for Iowa governor and will face Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand, who ran unopposed in the primary, in the general election.
Lahn told his supporters Tuesday night that he was outspent and opposed by "the establishment."
"Well tonight, the people of Iowa had something to say about that, that we're not going to wait anymore" he said. "They said Iowa doesn't belong to the political class. They said our state does not belong to the lobbyists, special interests and corporate giants who, for far too long, have had way too much power in our state. Instead, you all said this belongs to the people."
With 99% of the vote in, Lahn received 37.8% of the vote, and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra got 37%. Feenstra conceded the race to Lahn Tuesday night.
It was a major upset for Feenstra, who was initially viewed as the frontrunner and was endorsed by President Donald Trump a few days before the election.
The other Republican candidates were former state agency director Adam Steen, pastor Brad Sherman and state Rep. Eddie Andrews.
After conceding the race, Feenstra took to the podium at his watch party at The Grain House in his hometown of Hull to address his supporters.
"That was a fun night, huh?,” Feenstra said. “You know, just like watching a nine-inning game or any basketball game. Hey, we came up just a little short."
Feenstra shared what he said to Lahn, the presumed primary winner, when conceding the election.
"'Hey, you got to carry this torch,'” Feenstra said he told Lahn. “'We got to keep this state red. You got to make sure you beat Rob Sand.' I'm all in to help him out. We are going to make sure that we have him as the next governor."
Feenstra said that after a long time in politics, he’s looking forward to the next chapter of his life.
U.S. Senate: Hinson and Turek win
Ashley Hinson has won the Republican nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. She beat her opponent, former state Sen. Jim Carlin, to earn the Republican nomination. Hinson led by more than 50 percentage points when the race was called.
Hinson is currently a U.S. representative for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in the northeastern part of the state. She announced her run for Senate last fall, just days after Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said she would not seek a third term.
Josh Turek won the Democratic nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. He will face Hinson in the general election on Nov. 3.
Turek is a state representative from Council Bluffs and a two-time gold medalist in the Paralympics. He defeated opponent state Sen. Zach Wahls, of Coralville, in the Democratic primary.
Turek told supporters in Des Moines that he was an underdog in this race.
“This campaign has been about fighting for the middle class, working families, rural communities, small family farms, and working with anyone to address rising costs, stagnant incomes and out of control corruption in D.C.,” he said.
U.S. House District 1: Miller-Meeks and Bohannan win
Incumbent U.S. Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks has won the Republican primary in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, which covers the communities of Iowa City, Davenport and Burlington.
Miller-Meeks beat marketing consultant David Pautsch by more than 40 percentage points in their second face-off in the primaries. Miller-Meeks is running for her fourth term in the U.S. House.
Christina Bohannan will be the Democratic candidate in the 1st District race. She beat University of Iowa healthcare worker Travis Terrell of Tiffin. Bohannan led Terrell with more than 80% of the vote.
It will be the third consecutive contest between Bohannan and Miller-Meeks.
Independent candidate Michael Bridgford is also running.
U.S. House District 2: Mitchell and James win
Trump-backed candidate Joe Mitchell is the winner in the Republican primary in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, which primarily covers northeast Iowa. The real estate developer and former state lawmaker picked up more than 60% of the vote compared to his opponent, state Sen. Charlie McClintock.
In an interview with IPR News leading up to the primary, Mitchell said he plans to take conservative values to Washington and plans to fight for Iowans. He also said his campaign doesn’t plan on accepting PAC money and he’s even willing to call out his own party.
“People felt like for decades that they've been left behind and that Washington has been passing legislation for themselves and not for places like Iowa and the Midwest,” Mitchell said.
The 29-year-old said he supports term limits, fiscal responsibility and strict immigration policies.
He will face Democratic state Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque, in the general election.
James garnered just under 60% of the vote over Clint Twedt-Ball of Cedar Rapids and Kathy Dolter of Asbury in the Democratic primary.
She is a Presbyterian minister and is serving her fourth term in the Iowa statehouse. Her campaign for U.S. House District 2 has been focused on affordability and protecting access to healthcare.
James said a top priority of hers is reversing Medicaid cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“Folks are ready for someone who is not interested in advancing their political career or social life,” she said. “They're interested in someone who is serious about the needs of their neighbors, and as a person of faith, that is me.”
The 2nd District includes the communities of Mason City, Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is running for Senate.
U.S. House District 4: Dawson wins, faces McGowan
Former state Rep. Dave Dawson of Lawton has won the Democratic primary in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.
He picked up about 39% of the vote, with the rest almost evenly split between Stephanie Steiner and Ashley WolfTornabane.
Dawson is a long-time prosecutor with the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
In November, he will face Republican Chris McGowan, who didn’t face a challenger in the GOP primary. McGowan is the president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and is backed by President Donald Trump.
Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra currently represents the district, which covers Iowa's western border and includes Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Ames and Marshalltown.
State auditor race
Republican Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer will go up against Democrat Taylor Wettach in November in Iowa’s race for state auditor.
Cournoyer defeated Abigail Maas in the primary election by 8.2 percentage points.
Wettach was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Current Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand is running for governor, leaving the position open for the 2026 election.
