Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
17.6%
32.6%
12.4%
Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
$860.8K
JUN 9, 2026
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIowa
BackgroundBusinessman
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Notable personal detailsZach Lahn is a Republican businessman, farmer, and private-school co-founder who ran for governor of Iowa in 2026. He launched an “Iowa First” campaign and was endorsed by MAHA Action associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again movement. He won the June 2, 2026 Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary, defeating U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra.
SourcesShowHide
zachlahn.comiowapublicradio.orgapnews.comkmuw.orgen.wikipedia.orgradioiowa.comiowademocrats.orgkcrg.comiowacapitaldispatch.comtimesrepublican.comktiv.comwashingtonpost.comaxios.comthedailybeast.comprnewswire.comthegazette.commahaaction.comdesmoinesregister.comvintontoday.comyahoo.comtheiowastandard.comkjan.comarchive.phcbs2iowa.comtheguardian.comnytimes.comtime.comkansasreflector.comkcci.commysuncoast.comwsmv.comfox10tv.comcleveland19.comnbcnews.comap.orgfacebook.comballotready.orgfec.govdocquery.fec.govvotesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate proposes targeted taxes on absentee/ out-of-state land investors and says those revenues would be used to help young Iowa families and farmers, while also pledging to reduce taxes for young families. He emphasizes breaking up large corporate monopolies and holding big companies accountable alongside pro-family tax relief measures.
Healthcare
Supports "medical freedom" and policies removing or opposing vaccine mandates and some medical interventions; has said he would pull COVID mRNA shots from the market in Iowa and end childhood vaccine requirements for school enrollment. Emphasizes limiting government and corporate influence over medical decisions and prioritizes local public-health approaches (e.g., nutrition, clean water) rather than expanding government-run coverage programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports stronger enforcement and border controls, framing the border as a public-safety issue and opposing benefits for undocumented immigrants. The campaign calls for enforcing the law and stopping an "uncontrolled border."
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate states that life begins at conception and says he will protect the unborn; he opposes abortion and supports policies to prevent abortion. He has described the issue as foundational and recounted personal experience opposing embryo disposal at a fertility clinic.
Climate & Energy
Supports protecting farmland and property rights against private projects using eminent domain (including CO2/carbon-capture pipelines) and emphasizes holding large agriculture and chemical firms accountable for clean water and public health rather than endorsing aggressive emissions-reduction mandates. Campaign materials frame climate/energy-related priorities around defending farmers, preserving land, and ‘‘cleaning up our water’’ rather than endorsing major clean-energy targets or Green New Deal–style policies.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedFeb 14, 2026
Zach Lahn, a Republican candidate in Iowa’s gubernatorial race, said during a recent debate that he supports banning mRNA vaccines. The Moms for Liberty-sponsored debate on January 27 featured similar support from candidates Brad Sherman and Eddie Andrews, while Adam Steen said he would consider such a ban. The position was noted as contrasting with estimates that mRNA vaccines saved 2.5 million lives globally between 2021 and 2024.
zachlahn.com+45
Articles
DMDes Moines Register6 months ago
Republican candidates for governor seem ignorant of medicine
Negative
CNCable News Network6 months ago
MAHA’s money man has built a political machine. Will it matter for midterms?
Positive
DQDavenport Quad-City Times6 months ago
Scott County GOP hold caucuses with gubernatorial straw poll
Neutral
NNewsmax7 months ago
Sen. Joni Ernst Backs Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate Race
Neutral
Polls
Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising