This longtime Republican governor will not seek re-election in 2026

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds will not seek re-election in 2026 after nearly 10 years serving in the state's highest office, teeing up what may be a competitive Republican gubernatorial primary in 2026. 

In a video announcement released on Friday, Reynolds thanked Iowans for their support throughout her political career and said she will not campaign for another term as governor to focus on her family.

"Today, I want to share a personal decision with you; one that was not made lightly, but comes with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude. After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in 2026," she said. 

Reynolds began her political career in the Clarke County treasurer's office, before winning election as a state senator and later as the state's lieutenant governor.

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She has served as governor since 2017, when then-Gov. Terry Branstad was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as ambassador to China during President Donald Trump's first term in office. Reynolds was elected to a full term as governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

"This wasn’t an easy decision, because I love this state and I love serving you," Reynolds said in a video posted on social media. "But, when my term ends, I will have had the privilege of serving as your governor for almost 10 years."

Reynolds said the work isn't over yet and is committed to "working hard for you every single day until my term ends," referring to her time as governor as the "greatest honor of my life."

"This public service has been an incredible journey — one I wouldn’t trade for anything, but as Iowans know, family is everything," she said. "Through the years, my parents and my husband Kevin, our daughters, and our grandchildren have stood by my side, supporting me through every challenge and every victory. Now, it’s time for me to be there for them."

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Seasoned Iowa-based Republican strategist Jimmy Centers, who served in the Reynolds administration, said "her governorship is historic" for more than being the first female elected Iowa governor.

"It’s more than just her agenda; it’s about what she accomplished as governor. She was bold. She went out and sold her vision and she got it passed," Centers told Fox News.

Nicole Schlinger, a longtime Iowa and Washington D.C.-based conservative strategist who is well-connected with evangelical groups, said that Reynolds "has been a transformation governor."

But Schlinger told Fox News that "Kim Reynolds has put a lot of things in her life on hold for the state of Iowa and if you’re going to decide what you’re doing for re-election in 2026, now is the time you’re going to be making that decision."

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) praised Reynolds for "her bold vision and conservative leadership" and said she "delivered transformational results for Iowa."

Iowa, which was once a key general election battleground state, has turned red over the past decade, and RGA communications director Courtney Alexander said "we are confident that Iowa will continue to remain in Republican control." 

But the rival Democratic Governors Association (DGA), pointing to Trump's sweeping and controversial agenda during his first three months back in the White House, said that "even former RGA Chair Governor Kim Reynolds knows she can’t defend her party’s destruction of the economy and extreme, unpopular agenda for the next two years."

DGA communications director Sam Newton argued that "in addition to leaving behind a failed record of corruption, gutting public education, and banning abortion, Gov. Reynolds has thrown the wide-open GOP field for governor into complete chaos. We look forward to holding Iowa Republicans accountable as this competitive race ramps up."

Following Reynolds' announcement, there was instant speculation that Iowa attorney general Brenna Bird, who was a top surrogate for now-President Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign and who spoke at last summer's Republican National Convention, may make a bid to succeed the governor.

Bird, in a statement posted to social media, praised Reynolds but added that she and her husband will "consider what this decision means for our future."

"I appreciate the calls of encouragement I've already received. I am committed to continuing my work on behalf of Iowans and to support President Trump," she added.

Among the Republicans who may also have an interest in potentially running in 2026 to succeed Reynolds in the governor's office in Des Moines are longtime state agriculture secretary Mike Naig; state House Speaker Pat Grassley, the grandson of longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; and all four members of Iowa's all-GOP congressional delegation — Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Randy Feenstra (IA-04).

Two other names that are mentioned are Matt Whitaker, who ran statewide twice in Iowa but who is known nationally for serving as U.S. attorney general for a couple of months during the first Trump administration and who is currently serving as U.S. representative to NATO; and state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, son of longtime Iowa GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann.

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Longtime Republican strategist David Kochel, who has worked in Iowa politics for decades, noted that the Republicans have a "deep bench."

When it comes to the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, speculation centers on Iowa state auditor Rob Sand, who is currently the only Democratic statewide officeholder in the Hawkeye State. 

Reynolds, pointing to Iowa's shift to the right in recent election cycles, said the GOP "will remain in great hands" as the next generation of Iowa Republicans build on her legacy. 

Reynolds saw her national profile rise in recent years, through her previous tenure as RGA chair and by welcoming Republican presidential candidates to Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, which remain the lead-off contest in the race for the White House on the GOP calendar.

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In the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Reynolds' endorsement was coveted by the crowded GOP primary field. Reynolds ultimately endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and joined him repeatedly on the campaign trail in the lead-up to the caucuses.