With less than a month until the November 3 general election, the 91st General Assembly returned to the Capitol for a special session, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed a new member to the Iowa Utilities Commission, and candidates entered the final stretch of several closely watched campaigns. This November, open races for governor and U.S. Senate, two open congressional seats, and substantial legislative turnover will shape Iowa’s policy landscape in 2027 and beyond.
As the 2026 election rapidly approaches, Iowans should keep several important dates in mind. Absentee voting begins Wednesday, October 14. Monday, October 19, is the deadline to pre-register to vote and request an absentee ballot by mail, although Iowa also allows same-day voter registration. In-person absentee voting ends Monday, November 2. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, which is also the deadline for absentee ballots to be received. Current election and voting information are available on the Iowa Secretary of State website.
2026 Iowa Special Session
The Iowa General Assembly convened on Friday, October 2, for a special session to amend the state’s Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program. The session followed the announcement of Mesabi Metallics’ proposed $15 billion integrated steel complex in Iowa, described by state officials as the largest private investment in Iowa history and the largest steel manufacturing investment in U.S. history.
Lawmakers considered HF 2801 through Ways and Means subcommittee and committee proceedings in both chambers before taking up the legislation on the floor. The changes expand the incentives available for a qualifying project under the MEGA program. Key provisions include:
- Allowing one eligible business in a rural county to receive tax credits of up to 10% of qualifying investment, rather than limiting awards to 5% each for two eligible businesses.
- Spreading the expanded credits evenly over 10 years.
- Allowing partial project completion to qualify for incentives under specified conditions.
- Expanding protections for third-party purchasers of awarded tax credits.
Proponents of the bill identified these changes as necessary for Iowa to land this “once in a lifetime opportunity.” Supporters argued that the changes were necessary to secure the project and its anticipated economic benefits. The legislation also raised significant questions about the timing and long-term fiscal impact of the incentives, making project performance and implementation important issues to monitor.
Along with each bill, the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services Agency issued a memo for the companion bills. The fiscal impact is estimated in the chart below:
HF 2801 passed the House, 75–17, and the Senate, 28–19. Governor Reynolds signed the bill that evening. In her accompanying statement, she emphasized the proposed investment’s potential to create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and support long-term economic growth.
“Today’s special session advances the most consequential economic development ever to come to our state. By enacting reasonable and limited changes to the Major Economic Growth Attraction program, we’re clearing a path for Mesabi Metallics to make the largest steel investment in the U.S. right here in Iowa. This means $15 billion flowing into our economy and thousands of high-paying, family-sustaining jobs. Higher wages attract workforce, strengthen local businesses, and grow communities. This opportunity will accelerate the economic trajectory of our state, and our country, for generations.”
Gov. Reynolds Appoints Jon Dunwell to Iowa Utilities Commission
On October 5, Governor Reynolds appointed former State Representative Jon Dunwell to the Iowa Utilities Commission. Dunwell had represented House District 38, which includes parts of Jasper County, since October 2021. He resigned his House seat effective immediately and was not seeking reelection.
Reynolds praised Dunwell’s steady leadership and thoughtful approach, expressing confidence in his ability to balance economic development with ratepayer protections. During his legislative tenure, Dunwell served as vice chair of the Administration and Rules and Ways and Means committees. A former pastor and law enforcement chaplain, he currently serves as director of outreach and engagement at The Family Leader and pastor of Gateway Church Monroe.
Iowa Election Update
Iowa voters will decide on several consequential races this November. The open governor and U.S. Senate contests have attracted national attention, while competitive congressional campaigns could influence control of the U.S. House. At the state level, a new governor and an incoming class of legislators will bring new relationships, priorities, and approaches to the 2027 legislative session.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s decision not to seek reelection opened the seat she first won in 2014. U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson is the Republican nominee and faces Democratic State Representative Josh Turek. Republicans retain a statewide voter registration advantage, but the race has drawn attention as a potential Democratic opportunity. Public polling has shown a relatively narrow gap between the candidates, so turnout, independent voters, and the broader political environment will be important factors in the outcome. Emerson’s October 5–6 survey showed Hinson 47%, Turek 45%, with a ±3.8-point credibility interval. Iowa’s Senate race could prove pivotal to control of the chamber, alongside several other closely contested races nationally.
U.S. House
First Congressional District
In Iowa’s First Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) will face Christina Bohannan (D) for a third time. Representative Miller-Meeks assumed office in 2021 after three unsuccessful southeast Iowa congressional runs. In the 2020 election, Miller-Meeks defeated Democratic candidate Rita Hart by just six votes. In 2022, Representative Miller-Meeks won against Christina Bohannan by seven points and narrowly retained the seat in 2024 by approximately 800 votes after a hand recount. IA-01 has been identified as a battleground district in 2026 and will likely be one of the more competitive races in the country. On October 9, The Cook Political Report changed its rating for IA-01 to ‘Lean Democratic.’
Second Congressional District
Iowa’s Second Congressional District is one of two open congressional seats in Iowa, with current U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R) running for U.S. Senate. Former state legislator Joe Mitchell (R) and current State Representative Lindsay James (D) will compete for the open seat in Northeast Iowa. While Republicans maintain a large voter registration advantage in the district, down ballot effects from competitive races at the top of the ticket have led experts to predict an extremely close race in IA-02. On October 9, The Cook Political Report changed its rating for IA-01 to ‘Toss Up.’
Third Congressional District
As one of the most competitive races in the country, Iowa’s Third Congressional District is a target seat for Democrats in the 2026 general election. Incumbent U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (R) will attempt to retain his seat for a third term. State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott (D) represents a suburban state senate seat in fast-growing Dallas County and is running to unseat Congressman Nunn. In addition to its competitiveness, this race will also be one of the most expensive in the nation, with anticipated spending to near or exceed $100 million. On October 9, The Cook Political Report changed its rating for IA-01 to ‘Lean Democratic.’
Fourth Congressional District
The Fourth District is also open after U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra sought the Republican nomination for governor. Chris McGowan (R), president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, faces Dave Dawson (D), a prosecutor and former state legislator. The district’s strong Republican voting history makes it the party’s most favorable congressional contest in Iowa.
Statewide Races
The governor’s race features political newcomer Zach Lahn (R) and State Auditor Rob Sand (D), Iowa’s only current Democratic statewide elected official. With Governor Reynolds not seeking reelection, the contest will produce a new administration in January. Lahn secured the Republican nomination after defeating a field that included Trump-endorsed U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra. Sand was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Both candidates offer a new direction for Iowa. Lahn has positioned himself as a political outsider, emphasizing issues such as Iowa’s cancer rates and retaining young residents. Sand is seeking to become the first Democrat elected governor since 2006. If Sand wins and Republicans retain control of the legislature, Iowa will enter a period of divided government, reshaping budget negotiations and major policy debates. The governor’s race remains competitive, with Sand leading in recent polling. Emerson’s October 5–6 survey showed Sand at 49% and Lahn at 45%.”
The gubernatorial debate schedule includes the following events. All times are Central:
- Tuesday, October 6, at 7 p.m. on KWQC (completed)
- Wednesday, October 14, at 7 p.m. on KTIV
- Wednesday, October 21, at 7 p.m. on Iowa PBS
- Tuesday, October 27, at 6:30 p.m. on KCRG-TV9
Although Republicans maintain a statewide voter registration advantage, a strong performance by Sand could help Democratic candidates farther down the ballot. That potential benefit does not guarantee uniformly close statewide races; candidate strength, fundraising, and campaign messages will also influence each contest.
The attorney general race pairs incumbent Brenna Bird (R) with former legislator Nate Willems (D). Bird’s close alignment with President Trump gives the contest a national dimension. The attorney general’s office is an extremely important office with broad prosecutorial, antitrust, and consumer protection powers. Both candidates are running full campaigns, including using TV advertising, to try to win this vital office.
Iowa State Legislative Elections
Alongside the new executive administration, there will be significant turnover in the state legislature. Retirements, campaigns for other offices, and primary defeats will bring many new members to the Iowa General Assembly in 2027. Open seats guarantee a sizable incoming class (at least nine new senators and 20 new representatives, guaranteeing a minimum of 19% turnover), and additional changes are possible in competitive districts, including several in the Des Moines metropolitan area and mid-size cities around Iowa.
Republicans enter the election with control of both chambers and a supermajority in the House. Senate Republicans lost their supermajority following the 2025 special election in Senate District 1. The central questions this fall are whether Republicans will retain their current margins and whether Democrats can translate a competitive statewide ticket into gains in legislative districts.
For stakeholders, the implications extend beyond the partisan balance. New members and potential leadership or committee changes will require early relationship building and education on policy priorities ahead of the 2027 session.
Voting in Iowa
As the 2026 election rapidly approaches, there are several important dates Iowans should note before heading to the polls:
- Wednesday, October 14: First day of absentee voting.
- Monday, October 19: Pre-registration deadline, deadline to request an. absentee ballot by mail Note: Iowa allows for same-day voter registration.
- Monday, November 2: In-person absentee ballot deadline.
- Tuesday, November 3: Election Day and absentee ballot receipt deadline.
All current election and voting information can be accessed on the Iowa Secretary of State website.
