Iowa voters pick a new governor as Sand faces Lahn
The gist
Iowa voters are choosing between Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn in the midterm governor race.
The seat is open, and Republicans' grip since 2011 is at stake.
How it unfolded
- Aug 6, 2026An Emerson College Polling/Nexstar survey finds 48% of Iowa voters support Sand and 43% support Lahn, with 7% undecided.
- Aug 20, 2026 -23, 2026A poll of 500 likely midterm voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, shows Sand at 48% to Lahn's 44%.
- Aug 26, 2026Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the poll shows both the governor and U.S. Senate races within the statistical margin of error.