Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) has announced that she will not be seeking reelection to a third term, explaining that she has decided to leave politics to spend more time with family.
Reynolds became governor in 2017 after President Donald Trump appointed then-Gov. Terry Branstad to serve as ambassador to China. Under Reynolds’ leadership, Iowa Republicans passed the largest income tax cut in the state’s history, election integrity laws, and laws on the issues of abortion and transgenderism.
The Iowa governor made the announcement in a video posted to social media.
“Serving as your governor has been the greatest honor of my life, an opportunity that not so long ago I never could have imagined,” Reynolds said in the video. “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 reelection in 2026. This wasn’t an easy decision because I love this state.”
She went on to note that her decision not to run for reelection is motivated by her desire to spend more time with her family, noting that she wants to be able to attend more of her grandchildren’s events. Reynolds’ husband was also diagnosed with cancer in 2023.
“This public service has been an incredible journey, one that I wouldn’t trade for anything, but as Iowans know, family is everything,” Reynolds added. “And through the years, my parents, my husband Kevin, our daughters, and our grandchildren have stood by my side, supporting me through every challenge and every victory. And now it’s time for me to be there for them, to help them through the next stage of life.”
— Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) April 11, 2025
Reynolds’ announcement prompted praise from her fellow Republicans, including Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufman.
“Gov. Reynolds has been a generational leader for our state and party,” he wrote in a post on X. “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.”
“I want to thank her for her friendship, service, and for being the leader Iowa needed,” Kaufman added. “I know she is not done yet, and she will never stop being a leader in our party.”
Gov. Reynolds has been a generational leader for our state and party. 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.… https://t.co/7yTkPdMyT3
— Jeff Kaufmann (@kaufmannGOP) April 11, 2025
It is almost guaranteed that Reynolds will be replaced by another Republican, as Iowa has moved significantly to the right since 2010. Former state Rep. Brad Sherman (R) has already begun campaigning for the governor’s office, and reports indicate that Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) may also join the race.
