Iowa elections in 2026
6 electoral votes · 4 House seats · Midwest · 2 statewide races on the 2026 ballot
The political landscape
Iowa's politics run through its farm economy, small cities and a long tradition of retail campaigning. Once a national bellwether, it has trended Republican in recent cycles while remaining competitive in the right conditions.
Its largest population centers include Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport. Where a state's people live, and what those places do for a living, is the starting point for how Electorate HQ simulations reason about it.
On the ballot in Iowa
Issues that weigh heavily in Iowa
Based on the state's industry mix, geography and cost of living, these issues tend to carry structural weight in Iowa elections:
Latest Iowa political headlines
Iowa 2026 Poll: Sand Has an Edge in Governor’s Race; Hinson Holds Narrow Senate AdvantageIn Iowa, the water is so concerning that it could decide who wins the governor's raceIowa governor’s race puts term limits debate in spotlightIowa Libertarian gubernatorial candidate plans to file appeal in ballot removal caseRed State, Blue Governor: It Could Happen in Iowa. Would It Matter?Sand leads Lahn in Iowa governor’s race while Turek trails Hinson for Senate: PollFour takeaways from Tuesday's primaries in six states‘What did we do wrong now?’: Rural Iowa schools weigh impact of ESA expansionSimulate Iowa
In the Electorate HQ simulator, Iowa is one of 51 delegations that reads current reporting and decides a presidential race issue by issue. Results are AI simulations, clearly labeled, with the reasoning shown for every call. See the methodology for what that does and does not mean.