The Republican Party of Iowa reelected Jeff Kaufmann to a sixth term Saturday, putting him at the helm of the state party for another two years as it prepares for the 2026 midterm election cycle.
Linda Upmeyer was reelected as co-chair of the party, and Chad Olsen was reappointed to serve as executive director.
Kaufmann did not face any challengers and was elected unanimously by acclimation of the state central committee Saturday.
He said he spent a long time weighing whether to seek another term.
“I spent a lot of time on this, on what I should do,” he said. “I’ve been around situations where, quite frankly, good people have worn out their welcome and where organizations that are going well, maybe need a, you know, an infusion of fresh blood. And I never want to be that guy.”
He said he is singularly focused on winning elections.
Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann speaks on Day 1 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 15, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar
“If you’re tired of winning, don’t vote for me,” he said. “Because that’s all that matters to me.”
His reelection comes on the heels of an endorsement from Republican President Donald Trump on Friday, who posted to his social media website Truth Social.
“Jeff has overseen tremendous Republican gains in the Hawkeye State, including my HISTORIC WINS in 2016, 2020, and 2024,” Trump wrote. “He is MAGA all the way, and I know he will do a fantastic job, and secure many more Victories for Iowa Republicans in 2026, and beyond. Jeff Kaufmann has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election as Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
Kaufmann has been a major supporter of the president, and he gave Trump’s nominating speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last year.
Kaufmann said he believes Trump’s post shows Iowa Republicans are once again in a good position to retain their first-in-the-nation caucuses in 2028.
Kaufmann has previously served on the committee with the national party that helps set the presidential nominating calendar, and he said he’s asked to serve on that panel again.
State Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, gave Kaufmann credit for retaining Iowa’s first-in-the-nation position.
“I believe that it is because of Jeff Kaufmann that Iowa retains its status as first in the nation in the Republican Party,” he said in a nominating speech. “I believe that Jeff Kaufmann’s leadership is a key reason that we have super majorities in the Iowa House and Senate. I believe that it is because of Jeff Kaufmann’s leadership that the Republican Party of Iowa is the envy of other state Republican parties across our great nation.”
More: Republicans expand majorities in Iowa Legislature to historic levels after strong election
In 2026, Kaufmann said he’s eager to expand the party’s appeal to minority groups in Iowa who have historically been more aligned with the Democratic Party but have since edged toward Republicans.
“I’d like to go after some of our minority Iowans,” he said. “They are fair game, not only because we care and because we can have an open tent without sacrificing principle, but also because there’s no demographic that’s not ours to convince now. There’s no demographic. It’s all fair game.”
In an interview, Kaufmann said he expects an easier path for maintaining party unity under Trump’s second term.
“I anticipate that first in the nation is going to be easier,” he said. “I anticipate that unity is going to be easier. I anticipate that getting behind issues that are in our platform are going to be easier.”
But he also said he might have less patience for Republicans who don’t share his vision for the party, which is supporting the winners of primary elections.
“I’ll be honest with you, I’ll probably get a little bit more like Trump,” he said. “I’m going to be a little bit more edgy, not only to the Democrats, but also I’m going to be a little more edgy if Republicans are not telling accuracy in terms of what we’re doing here.”
Republicans recently lost a special election to fill the state Senate seat Chris Cournoyer vacated after Gov. Kim Reynolds tapped her to become lieutenant governor.
Kaufmann said there are no major lessons to be taken from that upset because the dynamics of a special election are so unique.
“Special elections are impossible to predict,” he said. “They’re almost impossible to game. It’s very difficult. You sometimes with special elections end up spending x amount of resources, and then you find out later on, needed to be more. A lot of times you spend too much on special elections, you just, you just don’t know.”
He said he’s working to put younger Republicans in charge of key projects to help build out the bench. But as far as a successor, he said it’s hard to pick a one in an organization that prides itself on its grassroots mentality.
“I think somebody has to emerge,” he said. “In a party that’s so grassroots like we are, I think any attempt to say you are the chosen one probably ends up hurting that person.”
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Jeff Kaufmann reelected to lead Republican Party of Iowa as chair
