Mike Bousselot
Mike Bousselot
Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
$2.2M
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
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.
SourcesShowHide
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.
News
Mike Bousselot is being discussed in the context of Iowa’s 2026 governor race, where Democrats are seen as gaining ground and Iowa is viewed as one of their better offensive targets. The race is drawing attention around issues like water quality, cancer concerns and agricultural chemicals, which have become more prominent in the campaign. Separately, Iowa Democrats are also reacting to the DNC’s decision to again leave Iowa out of the early 2028 presidential nominating calendar, though that is a broader party issue rather than a direct Bousselot development.
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Iowa Dems call 2028 presidential calendar snub a 'slap in the face'
Endorsements
Endorsers of Mike Bousselot for Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
Terry Branstad
Former elected official
Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad endorsed Mike Bousselot for the GOP primary.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Fundraising