A former Republican state representative announced Monday his bid for Iowa governor.
Williamsburg pastor Brad Sherman leans to the political right of incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds. She has hinted that she will run for reelection, setting the stage for a Republican primary. Sherman was also an early endorser of President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 GOP presidential caucuses.
So who is Brad Sherman and what will his campaign for governor look like?
Who is Brad Sherman, a potential candidate for Iowa governor?
Sherman has been involved in pastoral leadership and church ministry in Iowa for four decades. He completed his ordination in 1979 and has worked with various anti-abortion organizations, according to his campaign website.
Before serving as an Iowa State Representative in the 90th General Assembly, Sherman was a county chair and convention leader for the Republican Party of Iowa.
Sherman is married to his wife Carole. Together they have four children and 13 grandchildren. He was born in Missouri and moved to Iowa in 1981, according to his biography on the Iowa Legislature’s website.
More: Is she running? Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds drops a big hint on whether she will seek 3rd term
What are some of Brad Sherman’s campaign platforms?
The former representative has the same beliefs as the United State’s founders, according to his campaign website.
“Rights come from God, not government, and the purpose of government is to protect those rights. Among these unalienable rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he wrote on the website.
Sherman’s campaign plans to ensure liberty by fighting taxation and eminent domain. If elected he would oppose regulations for businesses in Iowa. Sherman wrote that he wants to restore the “constitutional, moral and religious foundations” in school curriculum.
In addition to being anti-abortion, Sherman opposes physician-assisted suicide viewing it as a threat to life.
He “believes every person has intrinsic value because they are created in the image of God, and he will not waver in the fight to protect life,” the website said.
What bills did Brad Sherman support as an Iowa state representative?
During his time at the state capitol, Sherman served on the Environmental Protection Committee, the Natural Resources Committee and the International Relations Committee.
Sherman voted in favor of Iowa’s flat income tax rate. He sponsored a bill that required schools to report information about a student’s gender identity or intentions to transition to a gender that differs from the sex listed on their birth certificate. Sherman also sponsored the bill that would allow school districts to employ chaplains.
A full look at Sherman’s bill sponsorship is available on the Iowa Legislature’s website.
When is Gov. Kim Reynolds up for reelection?
Iowa’s gubernatorial election is on Nov. 3, 2026.
If Reynolds does seek reelection and wins, this will be her third full term as governor. She won in 2022 and 2018 after becoming governor in 2017 when former Gov. Terry Branstad left Iowa to serve as U.S. Ambassador of China in President Donald Trump’s first term.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Brad Sherman is running for Iowa governor. Who is he?
