Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
17.6%
32.6%
12.4%
Republican
Zach Lahn
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.
99.5%chance to win
$2.2MJUN 9, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIowa
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BackgroundBusinessman
EducationSioux City East High School (graduate; year not verified)
Notable personal detailsZach Lahn is a Republican candidate for governor of Iowa and a businessman and farmer based in Belle Plaine, Iowa. He has described himself as a sixth-generation Iowan and the founder of Homeplace Ventures, and he has also been involved in launching a nonprofit school. In 2026, he won the Republican nomination for Iowa governor and advanced to the general election.
SourcesShowHide
zachlahn.comiowapublicradio.orgballotready.orgkscj.comstorycountyiowa.goviowademocrats.orgreddit.comzachlahn4kansas.combremercountyelections.iowa.govgis.linncountyiowa.govsos.iowa.govyahoo.comcarrollcountyiowa.goviowarfa.orgottumwaradio.comen.wikipedia.orgiowacapitaldispatch.comradioiowa.comprnewswire.comktiv.comthegazette.commahaaction.comdesmoinesregister.comvintontoday.comtheiowastandard.comkjan.comarchive.phcbs2iowa.comapnews.comtime.comfacebook.comx.comtheguardian.comcbsnews.comnbcnews.commotherjones.comkansasreflector.compolitico.comthehill.combozemandailychronicle.commultistate.usabcnews.comfec.govdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.govnga.orghistory.house.govvotesmart.orgcongress.gov
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Zach Lahn is in the news after winning the 2026 Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary and becoming the party’s nominee for governor. He narrowly defeated Rep. Randy Feenstra in a close race, with reported vote shares around 37.8% to 37.0%. Iowa Republicans later formally backed Lahn at their state convention and chose state Rep. Derek Wulf as his running mate. The race drew added attention because Donald Trump had endorsed Feenstra, while Lahn campaigned on agriculture, pesticides, and the MAHA movement.
zachlahn.com+48
Articles
ATAmes Tribune3 months ago
After endorsing Feenstra, Branstad says he's 'impressed' with Lahn
Positive
ATAmes Tribune3 months ago
After the primary, Iowa GOP preaches unity at state convention
Positive
DMDes Moines Register3 months ago
Trump says Lahn was 'more Trump' than Feenstra in Iowa governor's race
Positive
TWThe Washington Post3 months ago
Zach Lahn wins Iowa Republican governor primary after blasting pesticides
Positive
Latest Polls
Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Zach Lahn currently averages 17.6%, ranking second in this race, 15.0 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 17.6%Position: secondMargin: -15.0 ptsLatest poll: 27.0% (May 27 - 28)Polls included: 2
Average recalculated from polls through May 27 - 28.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising