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Iowa politicians across the state and in Washington D.C. are reacting to Friday's news that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will not be seeking re-election in 2026.
The Governor made the announcement on social media Friday morning, opting against running for a third full-term as the state's Governor.
Shortly after the news dropped, lawmakers began responding.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Governor Kim Reynolds is an outstanding leader for Iowa. She has delivered historic tax cuts for hardworking families including no tax on retirement income, strengthened Iowa's workforce, championed biofuels and the farm economy, empowered families with school choice for their kids’ education and so much more. We thank her for her leadership and know her vision to keep Iowa the best place to work, raise a family and retire will continue to make a difference in the current and future legislative sessions. Iowa voters sent a strong mandate, building on resounding victories for Republicans in the statehouse and gubernatorial races in 2018 and 2022. Republicans from the grassroots are united more than ever before to lead our state to prosperity and opportunity for generations yet to come. I have no doubt Iowans will re-elect Republicans up and down the ticket in 2026. We are hungrier than ever to keep Iowa moving in the right direction and will outwork anyone and everyone to fight for our values, our liberties and our freedoms. Barbara and I thank Governor Reynolds for her friendship, leadership and service to the people of Iowa. She is an incredible role model and mentor to many. We wish her and Kevin the very best for years and years to come.
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst
Kim Reynolds has been a tremendous governor. She has transformed Iowa with her bold, conservative leadership — putting parents first, cutting taxes, and supporting hardworking farmers and families in every corner of our state. Kim’s story is an inspiration to every Iowan. No matter the challenge, she has faced it head on with grace and grit. Kim is a fighter who always puts Iowa first. As her friend, it’s been a joy to watch Kim thrive as our governor. She has sacrificed so much to do what’s best for our state. I’m truly grateful for Kim’s selfless service to the people of Iowa. May God bless her and Kevin and their beautiful children and grandchildren.
U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson
Governor Kim Reynolds is the best governor in America. Iowa has been blessed by her leadership, and I have been blessed by her friendship. 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. The next governor no doubt has big shoes to fill — we need a governor who can build on Governor Reynolds’ tremendous success and partner with President Trump to keep Iowa growing.
U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra
Serving with Governor 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. She quickly became a close friend. From the Iowa State Fair to her countless visits across the state, Governor Reynolds made a point to meet with Iowans and ensure that their voices were heard. Her tenure as Governor exemplified the endless possibilities of bold, conservative leadership. Under her watch, she expanded school choice, invested in our rural communities, supported our biofuels industry, stood alongside our farmers, and cut taxes for our families on numerous occasions. Her record of results speaks for itself, and I wish her and her family the very best for the future.
U.S. Representative Zach Nunn
Kim is a friend and a leader —importantly she remains an inspiration for my daughters and girls across our state. Governor Reynolds led Iowa to prosperity with commonsense solutions - from tax cuts to economic growth. She helped me prevent human trafficking, fight fentanyl in Iowa, balance our state’s budget, and help make Iowa one of the best places to raise a family. I salute her continued service. Our next Governor will take the reins of a state well positioned to continue Iowa as a model of success for the nation.
Iowa GOP Chair Randy Kaufmann
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. I want to thank her for her friendship, service, and for being the leader Iowa needed. I know she is not done yet, and she will never stop being a leader in our party.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart
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. 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.
Speaker of the Iowa House Pat Grassley
Governor Reynolds has been a bold leader for our state. She has shown remarkable courage in tackling challenging issues and always prioritized Iowans’ freedoms. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished together over the last six sessions. No matter what chaos we saw in Washington, D.C. or from our blue-state neighbors, we’ve kept our heads on straight in Iowa. We’ve put parents back in the driver's seat, passed historic tax cut after historic tax cut, and kept our common sense on social issues. As we look to the future, our state needs more of this strong leadership - someone who will keep Iowans' freedoms at the forefront and partner with President Trump to keep Iowa strong.
House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst
Iowans are ready to turn the page on Kim Reynolds’ legacy of division and politics. 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. 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.