Posted on 09/12/2026 10:27:12 AM PDT by T Ruth
IOWA CITY — Republican gubernatorial nominee Zach Lahn pledged Friday to buck lobbyists and special interests and reject the trappings of a political career if elected governor, casting his campaign as a grassroots fight to preserve Iowa’s culture and give voters a greater voice in state government.
Lahn addressed supporters during an “Iowa First Tailgate Event” at the Field House Bar & Grill in Iowa City alongside conservative political commentator and podcaster Benny Johnson, a native of Cedar Rapids. The event came one day after the first anniversary of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Lahn said Kirk, a longtime friend, understood politics as a fight to preserve American culture rather than one to enact legislation or lower taxes.
“He was fighting to preserve and protect the culture of the United States of America,” Lahn said.
***
Johnson told the crowd Kirk would have called for unity among conservatives following his death and against what Johnson described as the “communist, Marxist left.” He also opened with an attack on Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand, calling him “communist Rob Sand, who needs to be deported out of Iowa, back where he belongs in communist China.”
Lahn and Sand are competing in the Nov. 3 election to succeed Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is not seeking another term.
Johnson ... told supporters he recently asked Vice President JD Vance which race he considered the nation’s most important.
“He said Zach Lahn of Iowa is the most important race in the country,” Johnson said.
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(Excerpt) Read more at thegazette.com ...
He’s behind.
Is he really behind, or is he behind in propaganda polls published for the purpose of influencing the race. This is a Republican majority state.
I’m glad people can see through these ridiculously biased polls. After all, no Republican is losing anywhere. Not in 2026 with the GOP so massively popular. /s
No, Democrats are not “just as unpopular”. People generally despise Democrats, as well they should.
People hate Republicans *MORE* right now, and that has been true since Trump took office. It’s getting more and more true every day.
BTW Iowa is not a “Republican majority” state if you are referring to voter registrations. It is a plurality; 61% of active voters are NOT Republicans.
In less than 3 months we are liable to see just much of a “Republican majority” state Iowa ISN’T. Iowans, like Cuban “GOP” voters in Florida, are fickle. They do not ALWAYS do the right thing. If there is any time when the wrong thing is likely to happen — even in Iowa, or Ohio, or Texas, or Alaska.... it’s this year.
Gas is $4.19 a gallon and Diesel is $5.99. Republicans are going to lose.
There are quite a few universities in Iowa, which tend to influence younger voters toward the left. From what we hear in eastern Nebraska, this IA governor’s race is up in the air as of now.
The GOP candidate, Lahn, seems to live part-time in KS where his ex-wife and kids from that marriage are. And he’s married to a daughter of a Koch brother, from what I remember. It is more complicated than it seems on the surface.
The rats made the gas that high intentionally when they had control. If the voters give them back the power because of gas prices than the majority of the people are idiots. Full stop.
We still have cheaper fuel than under Biden and we are safer. I reject that Republicans will lose solely based on the cost of gas and diesel. Of course, that’s just my boomer opinion.
Yeah, so vote for Islamo-Communism. That’s the ticket.
Rat Sand ran a lot of ads this summer, while Lahn was silent. Mainly trying to paint Lahn as a carpetbagger. Sand, as Auditor, is the only Rat elected to a statewide position so had good name recognition, whereas Lahn entered race as an alleged political, not geographic, outsider from a large primary field. Only GOP ads here then were for Marionette Miller-Meeks, running for re-election in the narrowest Iowa Congressional district. House GOP seems to appreciate her record of winning close races enough to have spent early. Now starting to notice GOP ads in other races. Hope the post-Labor day spending decisions turn out to be a good strategy and that they have enough funds to give him and the rest of their ticket a chance.
But there is a direct connection to Trump now. Gas prices were falling. Israel told Trump he needed to bomb Iran for them. Gas prices went up. It’s not that hard to make the connection.
Vote Republican. We suck less!
**Another Freeper suggested it is important to win governor’s races in states where there is a U.S. Senator of advance age who may need to be replaced due to health issues or death. Iowa is one of those states.**
Mighta been me. I keep those things in mind. Chuck Grassley is 92 years old and has to more years to serve(live). Would he quit so that the current GOP governor can replace him with a younger conservative? Bet against himself? Come on.
Of course the difference is the rats intentionally drove up the gas prices to try to force us into EV’s versus stopping Iran. That distinction is may be lost on the clueless middle who decide elections.
.
If that’s an insult, you need help.
If that’s a point you trying to make, you still need help.
Here’s the ‘re that I’m sure you will try to point out.
Enjoy. You still need help.
The big difference is that it is easier to see the connection to Trump and higher prices. Gas prices were going down. Trump decided to bomb Iran because Israel told him to, and gas prices went up. Trump has not been well served by some of his advisors.
Now see, that is a well thought out response. No *derp* BS.
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