Iowa voters went to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the 2026 midterm elections. With many contested seats, Iowan voters had the opportunity to change Iowa’s political makeup.
Here is what we know so far.
Rob Sand has won the race for Iowa governor.
According to The Associated Press, with 99% of the votes counted, Iowa Democrat Rob Sand defeated Zach Lahn, receiving 55.49% of the vote. Sand’s victory is the first time a Democrat has held the governor’s office in Iowa since 2006.
In addition, Josh Turek has secured the Iowa House of Representatives seat, defeating Republican candidate Ashley Hinson. The seat opened as Republican Senator Joni Ernst retired.
The Associated Press, with 99% of the votes counted, announced Turek won the seat with 50.51% of the vote.
Turek’s win is one of seven seats in the Senate that the Democratic Party flipped this election.
In Iowa’s U.S. House District 1, Christina Bohannan has defeated Republican incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
The Associated Press has reported that, with 99% of the votes counted, Bohannan leads with 52.8%, flipping a Senate seat for the Democratic Party and taking Miller-Meeks’ place.
Bohannan and Miller-Meeks have faced off in two prior elections, with Miller-Meeks beating Bohannan in the 2024 election by just 798 votes.
Locally, races for district seats drew attention from Indianola community members and Simpson College students.
Republican Brooke Boden defeated Simpson College staff member and Democratic candidate Spencer Waugh for the second time in the race for House of Representatives.
The Iowa Secretary of State reports that Boden won the seat with 53.83% of the votes, defeating Spencer Waugh, who received 46.11%.
Democrat Sinikka Waugh also lost to Republican Hollie Arlene Zajicekher in the bid for Senate District 11.
The Iowa Secretary of State reports that Zajicek won the seat with 53.94% of the votes.
These results are reshaping Iowa’s political landscape as the 2026 midterm election comes to a close.