Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
8.2%
41.2%
8.8%
Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
$583.6K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIowa
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BackgroundBusinessman
Notable personal detailsZach Lahn is a Republican candidate for Governor of Iowa in the 2026 election cycle. He is a businessman and farmer from the Belle Plaine area and is a first-time candidate for public office. Lahn has discussed an “Iowa First” agenda and has emphasized issues including agriculture, water quality, and public health.
SourcesShowHide
zachlahn.comiowapbs.orgradioiowa.comiowapublicradio.orgen.wikipedia.orgkcrg.comiowademocrats.orgkscj.comkwqc.compolitics1.comaxios.comthedailybeast.comblackhawkcountyelections.iowa.goviaarchives.newzgroup.comlinncountygop.orgiowarfa.orgiowacapitaldispatch.comprnewswire.comktiv.comthegazette.commahaaction.comdesmoinesregister.comvintontoday.comyahoo.comtheiowastandard.comkjan.comarchive.phlegislation.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgnga.orgnass.orgnunn.house.govfec.govcongress.govgovinfo.govoversightdemocrats.house.govballotready.orgncsl.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate proposes targeted taxes on absentee/ out-of-state land investors and says those revenues would be used to help young Iowa families and farmers, while also pledging to reduce taxes for young families. He emphasizes breaking up large corporate monopolies and holding big companies accountable alongside pro-family tax relief measures.
Healthcare
Supports "medical freedom" and policies removing or opposing vaccine mandates and some medical interventions; has said he would pull COVID mRNA shots from the market in Iowa and end childhood vaccine requirements for school enrollment. Emphasizes limiting government and corporate influence over medical decisions and prioritizes local public-health approaches (e.g., nutrition, clean water) rather than expanding government-run coverage programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports stronger enforcement and border controls, framing the border as a public-safety issue and opposing benefits for undocumented immigrants. The campaign calls for enforcing the law and stopping an "uncontrolled border."
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate states that life begins at conception and says he will protect the unborn; he opposes abortion and supports policies to prevent abortion. He has described the issue as foundational and recounted personal experience opposing embryo disposal at a fertility clinic.
Climate & Energy
Supports protecting farmland and property rights against private projects using eminent domain (including CO2/carbon-capture pipelines) and emphasizes holding large agriculture and chemical firms accountable for clean water and public health rather than endorsing aggressive emissions-reduction mandates. Campaign materials frame climate/energy-related priorities around defending farmers, preserving land, and ‘‘cleaning up our water’’ rather than endorsing major clean-energy targets or Green New Deal–style policies.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 1, 2026
Zach Lahn is in the news for his Iowa Republican governor campaign, where he has been trying to boost his profile with a six-figure TV ad buy and a new $1 million advertising push. He also recently led Republican candidates for governor in early fundraising, based on state campaign finance reports. The race is still crowded and competitive, with Lahn among several GOP contenders trying to break through before early voting. Donald Trump has endorsed Randy Feenstra, the current frontrunner, which adds more pressure on the rest of the field.
zachlahn.com+40
Articles
ATAmes Tribune21 days ago
Iowa GOP governor candidates make campaign push before early voting
Neutral
DMDes Moines Register4 months ago
Republican candidates for governor seem ignorant of medicine
Negative
CNCable News Network4 months ago
MAHA’s money man has built a political machine. Will it matter for midterms?
Positive
SCSioux City Journal11 days ago
May 21 recap: Siouxland news you may have missed today
Positive
Polls
Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising