Lahn overtakes Feenstra in GOP gubernatorial primary fundraising, Sand keeps overall lead

As the June 2 primary approaches, new fundraising reports show Zach Lahn, a businessman and farmer, raised the most among Republican gubernatorial candidates in the most recent period, outpacing U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, the previous top earner.

But all five of the GOP candidates still fell short of Iowa Auditor Rob Sand’s campaign fundraising totals, who is running unopposed to be the Democratic nominee for governor in 2026.

This year marks the first time the governor’s race will not have an incumbent in more than a decade as Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she would not seek reelection. Alongside Lahn and Feenstra, there are three other Republicans vying for the nomination: former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen of Runnells, former state Rep. Brad Sherman of Williamsburg and state Rep. Eddie Andrews of Johnston.

The reports, filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, cover campaign fundraising and spending from Jan. 1 through May 14. During this timeframe, Lahn raised $980,152 while Feenstra raised $739,059. The 4th District congressman remains ahead in overall fundraising during the election cycle at a $5.04 million total, in comparison to Lahn’s $3.14 million, which included a $2 million personal loan.

Lahn’s campaign manager Paul Cordes said in a news release the latest report shows Republicans coalescing around the Belle Plaine farmer’s campaign.

“These numbers send a clear message: Zach Lahn has the momentum in this race,” Cordes said in a statement. “Iowans want a candidate with the energy, vision, and fight to take on Rob Sand and win.”

Lahn’s fundraising totals this reporting period included two $250,000 contributions from individuals in West Des Moines and Tennessee, as well as $150,000 from Patricia Tippie, who alongside her late husband has been a major donor to institutions including the University of Iowa. Feenstra’s campaign received two contributions of $100,000 from donors in Sioux Center and North Sioux City, South Dakota.

In recent days, Feenstra has highlighted endorsements from Republicans including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and a coalition of 500 Iowans across the state, saying his campaign has grassroots support that “will continue to power our campaign through the fall to ensure Rob Sand can never turn Iowa into another Illinois, Minnesota, or California.”

Steen raised $497,340 in the most recent period, putting his campaign cycle total at $997,315. His campaign announced this week a campaign tour of 37 stops in the final two weeks before the primary. In a statement, he said, “we feel now more than ever that we have the momentum, passion, and support to Keep Iowa Free.”

Sherman reported in $153,541 in fundraising for the first period of 2026, and Andrews reported raising $15,566.

Sand leads in governor’s race fundraising

Sand maintained a significant fundraising lead over his GOP competitors in the 2026 reporting period at more than $9.66 million raised in the first five months of the year. This brings his fundraising total to $27.85 million for the cycle — and he retains $18.29 million in campaign reserves.

Republicans have criticized Sand for gaining large campaign contributions from his family, including from his his wife, who contributed $1.5 million during the reporting period, and his father-in-law, Nixon Lauridsen, who gave more than $2 million to his campaign in 2026. Iowa GOP spokesperson Jade Cichy said over the course of the entire election, Sand has received nearly $12 million from family members.

“Can you imagine needing your family to write nearly $12 million worth of checks to help you win an election? Most Iowans can’t. But for Rob Sand, it seems to be just another campaign strategy,” Cichy said in a statement. “A lot of candidates will call their family for advice, to put up yard signs, and knock doors. Rob Sand calls when he needs a few more million dollars. This isn’t politics as usual, it’s wealth being used to buy an election.”

Sand’s campaign said nearly 95% of the contributions received in 2026 were contributions of $100 or less, and that two-thirds came from people in Iowa.

“Iowans across the state and the political spectrum are fired up to elect a leader who puts people over politics and builds an Iowa that’s not redder or bluer, but better and truer. That leader is Rob Sand,” Deputy Campaign Manager Emma O’Brien said in a news release. “… This historic haul is further proof that Iowans are done with the broken status quo that has left working families behind after a decade of one-party rule.”

Democratic auditor, secretary of state candidates lead GOP contenders

There’s another contested primary race for statewide elected office in Iowa as two Republicans vie to become the party nominee for State Auditor — the only statewide elected office currently held by a Democrat, Sand.

Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer and Iowa County Supervisor Abigail Maas are competing to become the GOP nominee, who will face Democrat Taylor Wettach, a lawyer from Muscatine who was previously running in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. Cournoyer reported raising $55,290 during the period of 2026, while Maas reported raising $38,915. The lieutenant governor retains a lead with $235,702 raised over the course of the election cycle, in comparison to Mass’ $74,131 total, which included a $20,000 personal loan.

It was another race where the sole Democrat running for the office — Wettach — outraised GOP opponents. Wettach reported raising $704,530 during the 2026 period, which included a transfer of $123,123 from his suspended U.S. House campaign.

“This surge of support shows that folks want this office to remain an independent watchdog for Iowa’s taxpayers,” Wettach said in a social media post Tuesday. “Together, we’re building a strong campaign ready for the General Election and the fight to defend the Auditor’s office.”

Democrat Ryan Peterman also celebrated outraising incumbent Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, in the most recent report. Peterman raised $83,951, while Pate raised $13,125 during the period. In a news release, he said $30,000 in contributions to his campaign came after Pate’s announcement that Iowa would share personal voter information with the U.S. Department of Justice.

“These latest fundraising reports show what I’ve continued to hear from Iowans as I travel the state,” Peterman said in a statement. “They’re fed up with career politicians. They want leaders who are there to serve Iowans, not just party insiders.”

There is only one Democrat and Republican running to become secretary of state in 2026, meaning there is no contested primary in the race. This is also the case for other statewide elected positions in Iowa — though in other races, Republican incumbents outraised their Democratic challengers.

GOP incumbents for attorney general, ag secretary outraise challengers

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird raised $1.78 million in the first 2026 reporting period, outpacing her Democratic opponent Nate Willems, who raised $493,581. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig also raised more than his Democratic challenger Chris Jones with $202,118 to $104,417. In the treasurer’s race, Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith raised $88,006 during the reporting period, and Democrat John Norwood raised $59,645.

There will be another round of campaign finance reports released before the primary through the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board on Friday, May 29.