Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig rules out run for governor, will run to keep seat

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced he will seek reelection in 2026, officially forgoing a campaign for governor.

Naig, a Republican, had been among those considering a run to replace outgoing Gov. Kim Reynolds after she made a surprise announcement in April that she would not run for another term.

According to a release, Naig “decided there’s still work to be done growing our state and economy as Secretary of Agriculture.”

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Iowa as we work to advance an Iowa First agenda that puts farmers, families, and freedom at the center of our future,” Naig said in a statement. “We have made tremendous progress over the past few years, but there remains important work ahead and we’re not done yet —building markets for Iowa products, defending our livestock industry, accelerating soil and water conservation efforts, and making sure rural Iowa thrives for future generations.”

According to the release, a formal campaign launch will occur at a later date.

Naig was first elected to his position in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Before running for his current role, he was deputy agriculture secretary in 2013 and an agriculture industry lobbyist.  

He said in an April 16 statement that people had encouraged him to consider a gubernatorial bid, and he said that he and his family were “thoughtfully discussing that possibility and keeping all options on the table.”

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.