Mike Bousselot
Republican candidate for Governor in Iowa
Mike Bousselot
Republican candidate for Governor in Iowa
Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
$2.2M
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$2.2MJUN 9, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age43 years old (Nov 2, 1982)
GenderMale
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LocationIowa
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of Iowa (BBA in Accounting)
Notable personal detailsMichael Robert Bousselot is an American attorney, business owner, and Republican politician serving in the Iowa Senate (District 21) since January 9, 2023. He previously served in the Iowa House of Representatives (District 37) from September 15, 2021 to January 8, 2023. He has worked in Iowa state government, including as chief of staff to Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and was later appointed director of the Iowa Department of Management. He was born in Rock Island, Illinois, raised in Davenport, and resides in Ankeny, Iowa.
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes, including property-tax relief and reducing income, sales, and business tax burdens; emphasizes protecting property owners and reducing costs for Iowans. Positions favor tax cuts and reduced tax burden rather than expanding taxes or redistributive measures.
Healthcare
Mike Bousselot has supported policies to require work or job-search activities for many Medicaid recipients and has been involved in efforts to privatize aspects of Iowa’s Medicaid program. His public statements and record show a preference for limiting entitlement expansion and shifting Medicaid toward private/waiver-based approaches.
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Immigration & Border
Supports securing the U.S. border while also backing legal pathways for immigrants to enter and work. Emphasizes enforcement-first measures alongside measures to permit legal immigration to fill jobs.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate has supported and voted for Iowa’s 2023 law banning abortion once cardiac activity is detectable and has said he would take steps to “protect life” and defund Planned Parenthood; he has also advocated addressing medication abortion. The candidate’s public record shows support for significant restrictions on abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Supports policies that facilitate energy infrastructure and carbon-capture pipeline projects while opposing legislation that would restrict those projects; frames legislative changes as protecting property rights and enabling investment in energy infrastructure. Has professional ties to Summit Agricultural Group/Summit Carbon Solutions and has led Senate amendments that removed limits on CO2 pipelines and eased restrictions on projects.
Latest News
Mike Bousselot is in the news mainly because Iowa is becoming a more competitive political battleground ahead of the 2026 governor’s race, with Democrats expanding their campaign effort and outside analysts calling Iowa one of their better offensive targets. The race is also being shaped by voter concerns about water quality, cancer rates and agricultural chemicals. Separately, Iowa Democrats were again left out of the early 2028 presidential nominating calendar, which could affect the state’s political influence.
There's a major shift toward Democrats in 4 of 5 governor races: Cook Political Report
MAHA movement fuels cancer, water debate in Iowa governor contest
Scott County GOP hold caucuses with gubernatorial straw poll
Iowa Dems call 2028 presidential calendar snub a 'slap in the face'
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising