Zach Lahn
Candidate, Governor of Iowa · Republican · Iowa
Zach Lahn is a businessman and farmer who won an upset in the 2026 Republican primary and is the party’s nominee in Iowa’s open 2026 race for governor; he has not previously held elected office.
Profile last updated Jul 7, 2026 · Center Field Politics
Scout's Report
A political-outsider businessman aligned with the "Make America Healthy Again" movement who upset an establishment favorite in the GOP primary.
Core Strength
An outsider brand, a MAHA-aligned message on health and agriculture, and grassroots primary momentum.
Core Weakness
No governing record and questions about his Iowa residency and out-of-state ties.
Recent Action
Won the Republican nomination for governor of Iowa in a 2026 primary upset as Gov. Kim Reynolds retired.
Key Metrics
- Reliability
- N/A
- Documented Controversies
- 0
- Funding Secured
- N/A
No roll-call record available for a non-incumbent.
Official ethics findings or court records only.
No appropriations history for a non-incumbent candidate.
Where They Stand
Stances on the issues many voters care most about. Where a candidate has not given a clear answer we mark it "Mixed / Partial" or "Unclear" rather than guess. Positions are drawn from official records and bias-labeled news sources; they are descriptive only and are never scored.
Environment—Mixed / Partial34
Climate protections and regulation versus fewer climate-related regulations on industry.
Emphasizes water quality and family farms while opposing sweeping federal mandates.
Healthcare—Opposes3
Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.
Opposes single-payer; emphasizes a "health-freedom" and market-based approach.
Second Amendment—Opposes3
New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.
A Second Amendment supporter opposing new firearm restrictions.
Immigration—Opposes4
Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.
Champions strict border enforcement over broader legalization.
Roe v. Wade—Opposes3
Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.
Supports further abortion restrictions.
National Security—Mixed / Partial3
Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.
Focuses on domestic priorities; expresses caution about foreign entanglements.
Party Loyalty
No voting record yet; loyalty cannot be measured.