Former Republican state representative to challenge Kim Reynolds for Iowa governor seat

Former Republican state Rep. Brad Sherman announced Monday he is launching a campaign for Iowa governor, setting up a likely primary fight with incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Sherman, a pastor from Williamsburg, was an early endorser of Republican President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 GOP presidential caucuses.

Sherman is expected to run to the political right of Reynolds, who hasn't officially announced she will seek reelection.

According to a news release, Sherman plans to focus his campaign on "defending Iowans’ rights against eminent domain abuse, encouraging fiscal responsibility, promoting family values and returning government to the foundational principles that made America great."

His website also highlights "medical freedom" as a key issue, and he promises to sign legislation to reduce emergency powers of the governor and "work to dismantle the bureaucratic swamp that was responsible for the iron hand of tyranny we saw from the medical establishment during COVID."

Sherman plans to hold a launch event Feb. 22 in Mason City.

“The foundational values upon which our liberties rest have been dangerously undermined and now we’re at a crossroads,” Sherman said in his news release. “As governor, I will work hard to restore the foundations of freedom and stand for the constitutional rights of every individual, ensuring that Iowa remains a welcoming place for faith, families, and thriving businesses.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds has huge fundraising lead

Sherman will face long odds against Reynolds, who is expected to seek another term in office and has yet to face a ballot with a primary challenger. She reported raising $1.8 million over the last year, and she has about $3 million in cash on hand.

According to a January filing with the state Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board, Sherman reports holding about $8,000 in cash on hand in his gubernatorial campaign account.

But his early announcement gives Sherman more than a year-long runway ahead of the primary elections, which are scheduled for June 2, 2026.

Right-wing challenges gain traction in primaries

In 2024, Republican congressional candidates performed surprisingly well by challenging GOP incumbents' conservative bona fides in primary elections.

They earned about 40% of the vote against better-funded, better-known incumbents, prompting some analysts to suggest the results showed a desire for "more MAGA" candidates among primary voters.

Already, Davenport Republican David Pautsch has promised a rematch against Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 1st District.

"This is not merely a campaign; this is a movement to revitalize the heart and soul of our state," Sherman said in the news release. "I look forward to working with President Trump — who I endorsed early and supported in rallies, caucuses, conventions, and elections — in his agenda to restore the America we love.”

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.