Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she won't seek reelection to another term

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on social media Friday she will not seek reelection to another term — an unexpected move that resets the state's political landscape ahead of a 2026 midterm election year.

"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," she said in a simple, straight-to-camera video. "After a lot of thought, prayer and conversations with my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in 2026."

Reynolds, 65, noted in the video that her family has supported her "through every challenge and every victory."

"Now, it’s time for me to be there for them," she said. "To help them through the next stage of life. To watch every track meet and basketball game; to see them grow before they’re all grown. That doesn’t mean I’m slowing down just yet. I’ll be working hard for you every single day until my term ends."

Reynolds' husband, Kevin, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023, although she told reporters in 2024 he was doing well after receiving treatment.

Reynolds began her career in public service as a clerk in the Clarke County Treasurer’s Office and then was elected county treasurer.

She served under Republican Gov. Terry Branstad as his lieutenant governor beginning in 2011, and she succeeded him to the top post in 2017 after he resigned to serve in President Donald Trump's first administration as ambassador to China.

She became Iowa's first female governor and won election to her first full term in 2018. She was reelected in a landslide victory in 2022.

Kim Reynolds transformed Iowa through tax code, education policy and more

Reynolds has overseen transformational change in Iowa during her tenure as governor, reshaping the state’s tax code, education system and executive branch structure.

During her time in office, Iowa has gone from an 8.98% top income tax rate down to a 3.8% flat tax that kicked in for all income taxpayers on Jan. 1, giving Iowa the sixth-lowest income tax rate in the country among those that have an income tax.

Reynolds has also signed laws eliminating Iowa’s inheritance tax, making retirement income tax-free and cutting corporate and property taxes.

In all, Reynolds has boasted that the tax cuts she has signed into law will reduce Iowans’ taxes by $24 billion over a decade.

Her changes to Iowa’s education system have been just as significant.

The centerpiece of Reynolds’ education agenda is a universal “school choice” law that makes every Iowa family eligible for thousands of dollars of taxpayer-funded scholarships to pay for private school expenses. The program will be open to every family, regardless of income, in the coming school year.

Reynolds finally signed the law in 2023 after a three-year battle with reluctant House Republicans that saw the governor work to oust several sitting GOP lawmakers by endorsing their primary challengers.

Reynolds has worked for years to cut down the size of state government, signing into law a reorganization of the state’s executive branch in 2023 that slashed the number of cabinet-level agencies from 37 to 16, eliminated hundreds of open positions and gave the governor more direct control over executive branch employees.

The next year, she signed a law eliminating dozens of state boards and commissions.

She's also made strides in limiting abortion access in the state and removing civil rights protections for transgender Iowans.

Reynolds seemed to find her footing as governor through the COVID-19 pandemic. She told the Des Moines Register in a 2023 interview that she emerged both more confident and more willing to stand firm under intense scrutiny and pressure.

“I came out a different governor,” she said. “I really believe that.”

After shutting down businesses and schools in the pandemic’s early months, Reynolds was at the forefront as Republican governors around the country pushed to get kids back in the classrooms, ban mask mandates and push back against vaccine mandate.

The pandemic claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Iowans.

Reynolds seemed to reach the peak of her political power following the pandemic and the 2022 elections.

But she took a risk endorsing a candidate ahead of the 2024 Republican presidential caucuses, putting her thumb on the scale for friend and fellow governor, Ron DeSantis of Florida.

It earned her the ire of Trump, who called her "disloyal" and pledged it would be "the end of her political career."

But Reynolds endorsed Trump going into the general election, and she has joined him multiple times in Washington, D.C., to celebrate advancing his agenda. Trump has thanked Reynolds for her leadership in the state.

Republican leaders offer praise for Kim Reynolds after announcement not to seek reelection

Immediately after her announcement, praise for the governor began pouring in from her Republican allies across the state.

“Gov. Reynolds has been a generational leader for our state and party," Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement. "Under her bold, conservative leadership, Iowa now sits as one of the best states in the entire country. Taxes are low, cash reserves are full, our freedoms defended, and Iowa’s future has never been brighter."

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra issued a statement congratulating Reynolds, saying she "exemplified the endless possibilities of bold, conservative leadership."

“Serving with Gov. Reynolds in the state Senate and working with her to pass the largest income tax cut in state history at the time, I saw firsthand her love for Iowa and her devotion to our families and communities," he said. "She quickly became a close friend."

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson called Reynolds "the best governor in America."

"Iowa has been blessed by her leadership, and I have been blessed by her friendship," she said. "The impact she leaves will be immeasurable and countless lives have been made better because of her tireless service. I join every Iowan in saying thank you — we are all grateful for your love of Iowa and your dedication to our state."

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn called Reynolds an "inspiration" both for his own daughters and "girls across our state."

"Governor Reynolds led Iowa to prosperity with commonsense, solutions from tax cuts to economic growth," he said in a statement. "She helped me fight human trafficking & fentanyl in Iowa, balance our state’s budget and help make Iowa one of the best places to raise a family."

And U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks called Reynolds a "trailblazer."

"Under her leadership, Iowa became one of the best managed states, cutting taxes, shrinking bureaucracy, and creating a national model for efficient and effective government," Miller-Meeks said in a statement. "And Iowa is now one of the best states to retire in."

Democrats look ahead to reset 2026 gubernatorial campaign

Democrats in the state have been hoping to strongly contest the governor's race in 2026, particularly in a midterm year when national political dynamics have historically favored the party that doesn't control the White House.

On Friday, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart issued a statement looking forward to the next election cycle.

“Iowa Republicans’ decade in control of state government has left Iowa 49th in economic growth and with a $900 million budget deficit thanks to taxpayer handouts to special interests and vouchers for wealthy families who already send their kids to private schools," she said. "In 2026, voters will get to hold them accountable for taking our state in the wrong direction. It’s time to vote for a governor who will put Iowans to work, lower costs and support our rural areas.” 

Iowa's lone Democrat elected to statewide office, Auditor Rob Sand, is expected to run make a run for governor though he has made no formal announcement.

Sand announced earlier that he had raised more than $8 million during 2024, giving him a formidable war chest that overshadowed even with Reynolds had raised as an incumbent.

Boosted by $7 million in donations from his wife and in-laws, Sand tallied about $8.6 million in receipts between January and December of last year, and he entered 2025 with about $7.5 million in cash on hand.

In a social media post, Sand wished Reynolds well in retirement.

"Public office is a demanding path in a way that few truly understand," he said. "I wish Gov. Reynolds and her family well in retirement."

Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said in a statement that “Iowans are ready to turn the page on Kim Reynolds’ legacy of division and politics."

Konfrst has said she's considering running for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Des Moines.

"After a decade of failed leadership, there’s a reason Reynolds is the least popular governor in America: Iowans are worse off than they were a decade ago," she said. "It’s time for a governor who will build an economy that works for everyone. It’s time for a governor who knows that public money is for public schools. It’s time for a governor who will bring balance and common sense back to Iowa. It’s time for a governor who will put people over politics.”

What Republicans will run for governor in Kim Reynolds' place?

Republican Brad Sherman, a Williamsburg pastor and former state representative, announced in February he would run for governor in 2026, regardless of what Reynolds chose to do.

Sherman was an early endorser of Trump ahead of the 2024 GOP presidential caucuses. He was expected to run to the political right of Reynolds on issues such as eminent domain and the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Reynolds' decision to bow out is expected to open the floodgates to a rush of potential Republican contenders who wouldn't have challenged the incumbent Reynolds for the seat.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a statement congratulating Reynolds and hinting that she would be considering a run herself.

"In the weeks ahead, Bob and I will pray and consider what this decision means for our future," she said in a statement. "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 as he works to Make America Great Again."

Former Trump campaign advisor Chris LaCivita quickly posted to social media encouraging Bird, a 2024 Trump endorser, to run for governor.

Trump lauded Bird on the night of his 2024 Iowa Caucus win, telling the crowd during his victory speech: "She's going to be your governor someday."

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.