Zach Lahn
Zach Lahn | |
|---|---|
| File:Zachlahn (cropped).jpg | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1985/1986 (age 40–41) Sioux City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Annie Breitenbach |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | University of Colorado, Boulder (BA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Zach Lahn (born 1985/1986)[1] is an American businessman, farmer, and political candidate. He is the Republican Nominee in the 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election.[2]
Early life and education
Lahn was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and grew up nearby in Hinton.[3] He graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s degree in political science.[3][4]
Career
Lahn worked in Montana as a state director for Americans for Prosperity. He later launched the Wonder School in Kansas, at Wichita State University. Lahn also founded Homeplace Ventures, a company focused on agriculture and real estate.[3]
Lahn was previously a board member for FirmTech Inc., a company which sells sex toys and sexual health products. Lahn invested approximately $1 million into the company, before resigning from the board in September 2023. He is a 25% shareholder in the corporation, and states that he is contractually unable to disinvest his money. Lahn has defended his involvement with FirmTech, stating that he resigned from the board before the company began to sell sex toys, having previously focused primarily on medical products designed to treat erectile dysfunction and predict cardiovascular disease in men. He has stated that he choose to resign from the board as a result of his concern over the company's marketing and direction.[5]
Lahn also works as a farmer, on his property in Belle Plaine.[3]
2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
Lahn is running as a Republican in the 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election. In the Republican primary, he faced several challengers including Rep. Randy Feenstra. During the primary, Lahn attacked Feenstra as "soft" on immigration, while Feenstra attacked Lahn for investing in FirmTech Inc.[6]
Lahn's campaign was endorsed by former Rep. Steve King and Turning Point Action,[7] while Feenstra received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.[6]
On June 3, 2026, Lahn won the Republican primary, defeating Feenstra, who conceded that evening.[8] Lahn's victory marked the second time during the 2026 midterm elections that a Trump-endorsed candidate[lower-alpha 1] (Feenstra) lost a Republican primary race.[9]
He will face Democratic candidate Rob Sand in the November general election.[10]
Political views
In 2026, Lahn campaigned on a "Iowa First" campaign.[4] He is opposed to abortion, while supporting gun rights, school vouchers, and religious freedom.[4]
Lahn has vowed to raise taxes on AI data centers, while lowering property taxes on state residents.[11] He is skeptical of eminent domain, and believes it should be reserved for rare circumstances.[12] He has vowed to veto any legislation which would grant immunity to agriculture companies from civil litigation.[13]
Land ownership
Lahn has vowed to ban secret land ownership[13] and opposed to foreign investment in Iowa farms.[11] He has argued that "Wall Street hedge funds and foreign interests are buying and selling [Iowa] land, driving up costs, so our kids are priced out of the market. They treat Iowa land like it’s a commodity instead of our inheritance. They treat us like numbers, not neighbors."[13]
Personal life
Lahn and his second wife, Annie Lahn (née Breitenbach), have seven children.[12] Lahn owns a family farm in Belle Plaine, Iowa, as well as a second home in Kansas.[14]
Lahn is a certified pilot through the Federal Aviation Administration.[14]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Zach Lahn | 80,765 | 37.65% | |
| Republican | Randy Feenstra | 79,113 | 36.88% | |
| Republican | Adam Steen | 31,087 | 14.49% | |
| Republican | Brad Sherman | 15,076 | 7.03% | |
| Republican | Eddie Andrews | 7,694 | 3.59% | |
| Write-in | 794 | 0.37% | ||
| Total votes | 214,529 | 100.00% | ||
Notes
- ↑ Including candidates for governor, the House, or the Senate
References
- ↑ https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-primary-election-results-governor-zach-lane-wins-randy-feenstra-concedes/71475914
- ↑ McCormick, John (3 June 2026). "Farmer Upsets Trump-Backed Candidate in GOP Primary for Iowa Governor". Wall Street Journal.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Zach wants fast Lahn to Iowa governor's mansion". OurQuadCities. 3 May 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Carpenter, Tim (1 June 2026). "Co-founder of Wichita private school contending for Iowa GOP's gubernatorial nomination". KMUW.org.
- ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (18 May 2026). "GOP governor candidate Zach Lahn invested in men's sexual health firm". Des Moines Register.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Allen, Jonathan (2 June 2026). "MAHA-backed Zach Lahn defeats Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP primary for governor". NBC News.
- ↑ Knowles, Hannah; Allison, Natalie (2 June 2026). "Trump's pick for Iowa governor loses GOP primary in upset". The Washington Post.
- ↑ Fingerhut, Hannah (3 June 2026). "Trump Suffers Rare Loss In Iowa Gubernatorial Race". HuffPost.
- ↑ Vakil, Caroline (3 June 2026). "Lahn, Sand poised for head-to-head matchup for Iowa governor".
- ↑ Walsh, Joe (3 June 2026). "Zach Lahn projected to win Iowa GOP governor primary, upsetting Trump's pick in a state Democrats hope to flip". CBS News.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bosman, Julie; Salhotra, Pooja (3 June 2026). "Political Newcomer Beats Trump-Backed Candidate in Iowa Governor Primary". New York Times.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Glenn, Sophia (27 May 2026). "A fireside chat with the gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn". Iowa State Daily.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Multiple (2 June 2026). "Rep. Randy Feenstra concedes to Zach Lahn in 2026 Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary". Iowa Capital Dispatch.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "GOP governor candidate Lahn frequently flies to second house in Kansas". Desmoines Register. 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Primary Election - June 2, 2026". Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kim Reynolds |
Republican nominee for Governor of Iowa 2026 |
Most recent |
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