Iowa's 2026 gubernatorial race got off to an unexpected start when Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds shocked observers by announcing she would not seek reelection. Reynolds' decision reset the state's political landscape and shifted the race to succeed her into overdrive. Republicans across the state began pondering whether to jump into the race, opening the door to a potentially crowded primary field. In the weeks that followed, several high-profile Republicans took their names out of the running, including Attorney General Brenna Bird, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig and Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley. U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn ruled out running, reconsidered the possibility, and then ruled it out again. Here's a look at who's running for governor in Iowa. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #Iowa #IApolitics #Election2026