Zach Lahn
Zach Lahn | |
|---|---|
| File:Zach Lahn IA State Fair 2026.jog.jpg Lahn in 2026 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1985/1986 (age 40–41) Sioux City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Lauren Lahn (Undated.divorced) Annie Breitenbach |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | University of Colorado, Boulder (BA) |
| Website | zachlahn |
Zachary Lahn (born 1985/1986, pronounced /leɪn/ LAYNE) is an American politician and businessman. A member of the Republican party, he is the Republican nominee in the 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election. Lahn defeated Randy Feenstra in the Republican primary and faces Democratic former state auditor Rob Sand in the general.[1]
Early life and education
Lahn was born in Sioux City, Iowa and grew up nearby in Hinton.[2] He is a sixth-generation Iowan.[3] In 2005, Lahn graduated from Sioux City East High School. In 2009, Lahn graduated from University of Colorado, Boulder with a Bachelor's degree in political science.[2][4][5] Lahn moved to Montana in 2011, Iowa in 2013, Montana in 2014, and Kansas in 2017. Lahn moved back to Iowa in 2023.[6]
Business career
In 2016, Lahn founded Homeplace Ventures, which makes investments in real estate and agriculture.[2]
In 2017, Lahn launched and leads Wonder, a preK-12 nonprofit private school in Wichita, Kansas.[4] Wonder follows a multi-age, "Montessori-style" progressive education approach.[7] The school was financed by Chase Koch (of the Koch family) and his then-wife Annie Koch.[4][7] In 2025, the school had over $4.5 million in debts and had expenses exceed revenue in five of its six years.[7]
Lahn has a 28% ownership stake in FirmTech, a company which sells sex toys and sexual health products. [8] Lahn invested approximately $1 million into the company, before resigning from the board in September 2023.[8] Lahn states that he contractually cannot disinvest, and that he resigned from the board before the company began to sell sex toys, having previously focused on erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease in men.[8] However, 2020 filings with the SEC describe the sex toy products in detail and bear Lahn's signature.[9]
Political career
Republican campaign manager
While a student at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Lahn was an aide to Republican state senator Greg Brophy.[10][11][12]
After college, Lahn worked on a series of conservative political campaigns.[10] [13] In 2010, Lahn worked for the Cory Gardner campaign for US House in CO-4.[10][13] In 2011, Lahn managed the Steve Daines campaign for US House in MT-AL.[10][13] In 2013, Lahn managed the David Young campaign for US House in IA-3.[10] Lahn left the Young campaign to work for the Matt Schultz campaign, Young's primary opponent.[10][13]
In 2014, Lahn became the Montana state director for Americans for Prosperity, a libertarian conservative political advocacy group affiliated with the Koch network.[13] Montana AFP worked to oppose Medicaid expansion.[13] In 2015, Lahn claimed that "the voices of millions of Montanans" opposed Medicaid expansion. Because Montana has just 1 million residents, the statement was widely mocked. Governor Steve Bullock stated: "Not knowing how many 'millions' of people live in Montana won't stop the Koch brothers and Americans for Prosperity from spending millions of dollars to buy our elections."[14] Montana expanded Medicaid in 2015, and Lahn lost his job soon after.[13]
2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
Lahn announced his candidacy for governor of Iowa on November 6, 2025 as a Republican.[15] He filed paperwork to qualify for the ballot in March 2026, after submitting 6,100 petition signatures.[16]
During the Republican primary, Lahn faced several opponents, including U.S. representative Randy Feenstra. During the primary, Lahn attacked Feenstra as "soft" on immigration, while Feenstra attacked Lahn for investing in FirmTech Inc.[17] Lahn's campaign was endorsed by former U.S. representative Steve King[18], actor Rob Schneider[19] and Turning Point Action,[20] while Feenstra received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.[17]
On June 3, 2026, Lahn won the Republican primary, narrowly defeating Feenstra and three other opponents.[21] Lahn's victory marked the second time during the 2026 midterm elections that a Trump-endorsed candidate[lower-alpha 1] lost a Republican primary race.[22] The Guardian described Lahn's victory as "a rare rebuke to Trump",[23] while Politico described his defeat of Feenstra as a "shocking upset".[24] In July, Trump endorsed Lahn.[25]
Lahn faces Democratic candidate Rob Sand in the November 2026 general election.[26]
Political views
In 2026, Lahn ran a conservative populist campaign under the "Iowa First" slogan[4] with support for the "Make America Healthy Again" movement.[27][28] Time described Lahn's campaign as fusing "traditional conservative themes with an aggressive critique of corporate agriculture, pesticide use, and pharmaceutical influence".[27]
Abortion
Lahn supports a total abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.[27] Stating "I don't think you can be more pro-life than I am," he supports Iowa's current heartbeat bill, but argues that abortion bans "need to go all the way to life at conception."[29] Lahn believes it is morally wrong to discard embryos during In vitro fertilisation.[30] Additionally, he has called for banning abortion pills such as mifepristone.[29]
Education
Lahn supports an expansion of Iowa's Education Savings Account school vouchers system.[4] At the Moms For Liberty debate, Lahn argued the governor must "hold teachers accountable for when they indoctrinate our kids".[30]
Firearms
Lahn supports constitutional carry.[7] Lahn supports loosening gun regulations to allow permit holders to carry firearms on school property.[7]
Healthcare
Lahn supports continuing Iowa's privatized management of Medicaid.[31] Lahn supports ending required vaccinations for public school,[13] a ban on mRNA vaccines, and de-listing COVID-19 vaccines from the market.[8]
Immigration
Lahn supports a ban on H-1B visa holders taking any job in Iowa government or public universities.[27][30]
Land ownership and data centers
Lahn supports lower property taxes.[32] In April, Lahn vowed to increase taxes on AI data centers by 500%.[33] In May, he called for a "complete moratorium" on new data centers.[34]
Lahn opposes secret land ownership[35] and foreign ownership of farms in Iowa.[32] Lahn has stated that he will confiscate land owned by Chinese nationals and "give it to veterans to start homesteads."[36] He is skeptical of eminent domain, and believes it should be reserved for rare circumstances.[37]
Pesticides and agriculture
Lahn argues that high usage of pesticides such as glyphosate and nitrate-based fertilizer in Iowa pollute drinking water and cause the state's higher cancer rates.[38] In response, Lahn has vowed to break up the "Big Ag monopolies".[39][27][35]
Personal life
Lahn and his second wife, Annie Lahn (née Breitenbach), have seven children in a blended family.[4][37] Annie was formerly married to Chase Koch, and had helped finance Lahn's Wonder school.[4] In 2020, Zach and Annie both divorced their partners and married.[7] Lahn was previously married to Lauren Lahn.[4]
Lahn lives on a century-old Lahn family farm in Belle Plaine.[2][5][39] He also owns a second home in Kansas.[40]
Lahn is a certified pilot through the Federal Aviation Administration.[40] He frequently flies between his houses, spending time with his children from different marriages.[40]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Zach Lahn | 80,765 | 37.7 | |
| Republican | Randy Feenstra | 79,113 | 36.9 | |
| Republican | Adam Steen | 31,087 | 14.5 | |
| Republican | Brad Sherman | 15,076 | 7.0 | |
| Republican | Eddie Andrews | 7,694 | 3.6 | |
| Write-in | 794 | 0.4 | ||
| Total votes | 214,529 | 100.0 | ||
Footnotes
- ↑ Including candidates for governor, the House, or the Senate.
References
- ↑ McCormick, John (3 June 2026). "Farmer Upsets Trump-Backed Candidate in GOP Primary for Iowa Governor". Wall Street Journal.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Zach wants fast Lahn to Iowa governor's mansion". OurQuadCities. 3 May 2026.
- ↑ Charter, David (3 June 2026). "Why farmers handed Trump his first loss of the midterms". The Times.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Carpenter, Tim (May 29, 2026). "Co-founder of Wichita private school contending for Iowa GOP's gubernatorial nomination". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Iowa primary: Feenstra concedes to Lahn in tight GOP primary for governor". KCCI. June 2026.
- ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Who is Zach Lahn, Iowa's Republican nominee for governor?". The Des Moines Register.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Carpenter, Tim (August 25, 2026). "Iowa gubernatorial candidate's personal loans sustain Kansas school he touts as better model". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Pfannenstiel, Brianne (18 May 2026). "GOP governor candidate Zach Lahn invested in men's sexual health firm". Des Moines Register.
- ↑ Hartnett, Brendan (August 19, 2026). "Zach Lahn: Please Stop Calling the Award-Winning Sex Toy a Sex Toy". The Bulwark. Archived from the original on August 20, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Valentine, Jesse (June 12, 2026). "Lahn's record contradicts his claims of being a political outsider". American Journal News. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Quillen, Ed (August 27, 2009). "Quillen: Public and private". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Colorado Pols (August 16, 2009). "Sen. Brophy's Aide Gets Press For "Student Obama Debate Challenge"". Colorado Pols. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 Zadrozny, Brandy (June 5, 2026). "Can a former Koch operative lead MAHA to victory in Iowa?". MS NOW. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Strauss, Daniel (April 13, 2015). "Montana Gov. Lampoons Koch Group Over 'Millions Of Montanans' Goof". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Sostaric, Katarina (6 November 2025). "Republican Zach Lahn launches campaign for Iowa governor". Iowa Public Radio.
- ↑ Henderson, O. Kay (13 March 2026). "Zach Lahn files paperwork to run for governor". Radio Iowa.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Allen, Jonathan (2 June 2026). "MAHA-backed Zach Lahn defeats Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP primary for governor". NBC News.
- ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Steve King endorses Zach Lahn in Iowa governor's race". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ Barton, Tom (6 May 2026). "Former SNL cast member headed to Iowa to campaign for Zach Lahn". The Gazette. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
- ↑ Knowles, Hannah; Allison, Natalie (2 June 2026). "Trump's pick for Iowa governor loses GOP primary in upset". The Washington Post.
- ↑ "Rep. Randy Feenstra concedes to Zach Lahn in 2026 Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary". News From The States. June 2, 2026.
- ↑ Vakil, Caroline (3 June 2026). "Lahn, Sand poised for head-to-head matchup for Iowa governor".
- ↑ Stein, Chris (3 June 2026). "Zach Lahn's win in Iowa is a rare rebuke to Trump, who still has an iron grip on the party". The Guardian.
- ↑ Benson, Samuel (3 June 2026). "Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra loses Iowa governor primary". Politico.
- ↑ Brennan, Paul (July 13, 2026). "'Anti-establishment' candidate Zach Lahn celebrates (familiar) Trump endorsement, pledges to continue Gov. Reynolds' work". Little Village. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 Popli, Nik (3 June 2026). "'I Will Take on the Big Ag Cartels': How Zach Lahn Overcame a Trump-Backed Opponent in Iowa". Time.
- ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (August 25, 2026). "GOP Iowa governor candidate Zach Lahn touts economic populism at event". Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Luhmann, Kadin (May 5, 2026). "Q&A: Iowa GOP gubernatorial candidates on abortion, eminent domain, ESAs".
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Sostaric, Katarina (January 28, 2026). "4 GOP candidates for Iowa governor talk abortion and education at primary debate". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Murphy, Erin (September 12, 2026). "How Iowa's candidates for governor see the future of Medicaid". InsuranceNewsNet. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Bosman, Julie; Salhotra, Pooja (3 June 2026). "Political Newcomer Beats Trump-Backed Candidate in Iowa Governor Primary". New York Times.
- ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (6 April 2026). "GOP governor candidate Zach Lahn wants data centers to pay more taxes". Des Moines Register.
- ↑ Murphy, Erin (22 May 2026). "Lahn: Boost sales tax for water quality, pause data centers". The Gazette.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Multiple (2 June 2026). "Rep. Randy Feenstra concedes to Zach Lahn in 2026 Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary". Iowa Capital Dispatch.
- ↑ Werner, Kyle (29 January 2026). "GOP governor candidates bash absent Feenstra, speak on abortion, taxes". Des Moines Register.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Glenn, Sophia (27 May 2026). "A fireside chat with the gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn". Iowa State Daily.
- ↑ Roubein, Rachel (June 8, 2026). "GOP nominee for governor did the unthinkable in Iowa: Attack Big Agriculture". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Fingerhut, Hannah; Swenson, Ali (3 June 2026). "Trump-endorsed candidate stunned in Iowa as anti-pesticide movement claims major victory". The Independent.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Pfannenstiel, Brianne (14 May 2026). "GOP governor candidate Lahn frequently flies to second house in Kansas". Desmoines Register.
- ↑ "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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