DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley is dropping some hints he’s considering run for governor. This comes as Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that she won’t seek re-election in 2026.

Grassley says he has interest in the job, but he hasn’t made a decision yet.

He raised some eyebrows last week in a statement after Governor Reynolds announced she wouldn’t seek another term. Grassley wrote that as Iowa looks to the future, the state needs more of this strong leadership.

“Governor Reynolds has been a bold leader for our state. She has shown remarkable courage in tackling challenging issues and always prioritized Iowans’ freedoms. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished together over the last six sessions. No matter what chaos we saw in Washington, D.C. or from our blue-state neighbors, we’ve kept our heads on straight in Iowa. We’ve put parents back in the driver’s seat, passed historic tax cut after historic tax cut, and kept our common sense on social issues. As we look to the future, our state needs more of this strong leadership – someone who will keep Iowans’ freedoms at the forefront and partner with President Trump to keep Iowa strong,” Grassley said.

Thursday, Grassley told reporters that he’s focused on wrapping up the legislative session in the next few weeks before making a decision.

“I think anyone that just makes a decision within a week of finding this out is probably rushing to a conclusion that maybe hasn’t been well thought through and thoughtful so at this point, focused on what we’re doing here but not ruling anything out.” he said.

Grassley’s name is one of several in a field of potential candidates.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has hinted she’s considering a run. After his win in the 2024 Iowa Caucuses, President Donald Trump made a comment that Bird would be Iowa’s governor one day. Bird held an event open to the press this week but declined to take questions on a gubernatorial run.

Other possible Republican contenders include Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. State Representative Bobby Kaufmann and State Senator Mike Bousselot also say they’re thinking about running.

While these politicians are thinking about running, only one Republican has formally entered the race so far. Williamsburg pastor and former State Representative Brad Sherman launched his campaign to beat Reynolds in a primary earlier this year.

Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV on X/Twitter @ConnerReports, and on TikTok @ConnerReports.

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