What to know about Iowa’s Republican and Democratic conventions

On June 13, the Iowa Republican and Democratic parties are each holding conventions to affirm their candidates in the race to elect the state’s next governor. 

Here’s what Iowans should know as the conventions begin. 

What is a political convention? 

Iowa holds a convention every two years to nominate candidates for national and statewide offices. At this convention, the candidates officially accept nominations for their candidacy, announce their platform and begin their campaign.  

In addition to advancing the race for governor, several chosen members from each party will speak at the event. 

Who are Iowa’s governor candidates? 

Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn are set to accept their party’s nominations for the gubernatorial race, with each candidate announcing their platform in their acceptance speech.

They earned the nomination with their respective victories in the June primary. 

Sand chose Crawford County Supervisor and rural farmer Dave Muhlbauer as his running mate June 8.

On June 11, Lahn chose state Rep. Derek Wulf, a fourth-generation farmer and rancher, as his lieutenant governor pick. Iowans will vote to decide the state’s next governor later this year on Nov. 3. 

What is a lieutenant governor? 

The lieutenant governor is the second-in-command to the governor and first in the line of succession.

What can Iowans expect from the Republican convention? 

The 2026 Iowa Republican Party Convention takes place June 13 at the Horizon Events Center in Clive.Speakers will include U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, who is running for Sen. Joni Ernst’s seat after Ernst decided not to seek reelection. 

Former Iowan Republican Co-Chair David Oman hopes the Iowans who attend the convention will “find something compelling” about Lahn.  

“Our nominee is not well-known. I hope (Iowans) take a look at this fresh face, new face, who won the primary,” Oman said. “Have an open mind and spend the next five months learning more.” 

Oman hopes Lahn’s victory in the primary will unite the party, starting with the convention. 

“The primary we just experienced was grueling in some respects. The question was, ‘Could anybody get a 35%?’ That tells you that the party was looking for, and needed, a candidate that could bring the party together. We need this coming convention.” 

What can Iowans expect from the Democratic convention? 

The 2026 Iowa Democratic Party Convention will be held at Roosevelt High School this June 11. The doors will open at 9 a.m., with the event expected to begin an hour later. The convention is expected to end around noon. 

Speakers include Democratic Party chair Rita Hart, candidate for U.S. Senate Josh Turek and candidate for Secretary of State Ryan Peterman. Hart said she looks forward to “bringing the family together.” 

Democratic Party Communications Director Paige Godden said she knows Iowans are excited to meet and hear from Muhlbauer Saturday. 

“I know people are really fired up, so that should be definitely one of the highlights,” Godden said. 

Hart said she and other candidates have been talking and listening to Iowans’ concerns with the cost of living, one-party control, education and cancer rates. She hopes Iowans can look to Democrats for unity after this convention.

“When people respect one another, no matter what letter is behind their name — that ability to work across the aisle to have good ideas and help those ideas become reality,” Hart said. “That’s how we help everyone in the state of Iowa, and that’s really important to Iowans.”

Veronica Meiss is a news intern for the Des Moines Register. You can contact her at vmeiss@gannett.com.