Campaign fundraising has reached record levels in several Iowa elections ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election, according to state and federal campaign finance reports.
The reports cover fundraising by candidates for governor, the U.S. Senate, Congress and other statewide offices. Contributions from political parties, political action committees and individual donors account for portions of the money reported by the campaigns.
Gubernatorial Race Sets Fundraising Record
Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn have reported raising a combined $81 million in their campaigns for Iowa governor. That exceeds the previous combined fundraising record of $36 million reported by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic candidate Fred Hubbell during the 2018 election.
According to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, Sand has raised approximately $54.15 million during the 2026 election cycle, while Lahn has raised approximately $26.94 million.
For the reporting period covering July 15 through October 14, Lahn reported raising $16.87 million, compared with $16.31 million for Sand.
Lahn’s reported contributions during that period included $11.8 million from Right Direction PAC, associated with the Republican Governors Association, and $1.7 million from the Republican Party of Iowa. Sand’s campaign reported receiving $5.5 million from the Democratic Governors Association.
Sand also reported receiving a combined $1.25 million from his wife, brother-in-law and mother-in-law during the latest reporting period.
His campaign stated that nearly 95% of its contributions were $100 or less and that nearly two-thirds of its donors were Iowa residents.
Lahn won the Republican gubernatorial primary on June 2, defeating U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and other candidates. Sand ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
U.S. Senate Candidates Report Millions in Contributions
The race for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat has also generated substantial campaign fundraising and outside political spending.
Federal Election Commission reports covering July 1 through September 30 show Democratic candidate Josh Turek raised approximately $13.88 million during the reporting period. Republican candidate Ashley Hinson reported raising approximately $3.25 million.
For the election cycle, Turek reported approximately $20.15 million in fundraising, compared with $13.52 million for Hinson.
Outside political organizations have also spent money on advertising and other activities related to the race. AdImpact reported $93.3 million in aired advertising spending in Iowa through September 30 from issue groups and coordinated campaigns.
OpenSecrets reported approximately $59.86 million in outside spending supporting Turek and $51.67 million supporting Hinson, based on federal campaign finance data through October 13.
Outside spending is separate from money raised directly by candidates’ campaigns.
Libertarian candidate Thomas Laehn reported raising $11,033 during the latest reporting period, bringing his election-cycle total to $82,962.
The seat is currently held by Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking reelection. The University of Virginia Center for Politics’ Crystal Ball rates the contest as a toss-up.
Fundraising in Iowa’s Congressional Races
All four of Iowa’s current U.S. House members are Republicans. Three congressional districts have competitive races in 2026, according to ratings from the Cook Political Report.
In the 1st Congressional District, Democratic candidate Christina Bohannan reported raising $2.42 million during the latest reporting period. Republican incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks reported $1.72 million, while independent candidate Michael Bridgford reported $148,447.
For the election cycle, Bohannan reported approximately $9.58 million in fundraising, compared with $9.27 million for Miller-Meeks.
In the 3rd Congressional District, Democratic candidate Sarah Trone Garriott reported raising approximately $2.36 million during the latest period. Republican incumbent Zach Nunn reported approximately $1.1 million.
Their election-cycle fundraising totals were approximately $7.65 million for Trone Garriott and $6.05 million for Nunn.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Democratic candidate Lindsay James reported raising nearly $1.9 million during the reporting period. Republican candidate Joe Mitchell reported $745,215, while independent candidate Dave Bushaw reported $11,871. Libertarian candidate Rick Stewart did not file a federal campaign finance report for the period.
The 2nd District seat is open because Hinson is running for the U.S. Senate.
The Cook Political Report rates the 1st and 3rd District races as leaning Democratic and the 2nd District race as a toss-up.
In the 4th Congressional District, Republican candidate Chris McGowan reported raising $173,476 during the latest period. Democratic candidate Dave Dawson reported $104,516.
The 4th District has historically favored Republican candidates.
Fundraising in Other Statewide Contests
Campaign finance reports also show different fundraising totals in Iowa’s other statewide races.
Republican Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig received contributions from agricultural industry political action committees, according to an analysis by Food & Water Watch of third-quarter campaign finance reports.
The analysis reported that Naig received $50,000 from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation PAC, $20,000 from the Koch Industries PAC and additional contributions from donors associated with pesticide, pork, corn and ethanol industries.
Democratic challenger Chris Jones received contributions from more than 4,000 donors during the same period, with an average contribution of approximately $80, according to the analysis. Food & Water Watch has endorsed Jones.
In the attorney general’s race, Republican incumbent Brenna Bird reported raising more than $4.6 million during the latest reporting period, bringing her election-cycle total to $11.49 million. Democratic challenger Nate Willems reported raising $3.16 million during the period and $6.3 million overall.
In the state treasurer’s race, Republican incumbent Roby Smith reported raising $143,664 during the period, compared with $72,193 for Democratic challenger John Norwood.
Democratic candidates reported higher fundraising totals in two additional statewide races.
State auditor candidate Taylor Wettach reported raising $778,147 during the latest period, compared with $201,970 for Republican candidate Chris Cournoyer, the incumbent lieutenant governor seeking the auditor’s office.
Democratic secretary of state candidate Ryan Peterman reported raising $184,690, while Republican incumbent Paul Pate reported $48,265.
Campaign Finance Ahead of Election Day
The latest campaign finance reports provide a snapshot of contributions received by candidates and political organizations during specified reporting periods.
Fundraising totals do not establish which candidate will win an election. Candidates’ reports also differ from outside spending by political action committees and other organizations, which is tracked separately.
Iowa voters will decide the gubernatorial, congressional, U.S. Senate and other statewide races on November 3, 2026.
