Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led the Prayer Rally for Life in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Iowa State Capitol Jan. 22, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Wednesday she will not run for governor in 2026 — an unexpected decision for some Iowans who thought she would be a top Republican contender in the race to fill Gov. Kim Reynolds’ seat.
Shortly after Reynolds announced she would not seek reelection following her current term, Bird released a statement saying she and her husband would “pray and consider what this decision means for our future.”
Bird was considered a high-profile potential pick for the GOP gubernatorial nominee, having strong ties to President Donald Trump from his time in the state during the Iowa caucuses. Trump told Iowans in January 2024 that Bird will “be your governor someday, I predict.” She posted a video on X in May, featuring this comment, alongside other clips of Trump praising the Iowa AG, with the caption “Someday…
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But on Wednesday, Bird officially ruled out a bid for governor in the 2026 election, instead saying she plans to run for reelection as attorney general.
“I am absolutely determined to do justice and hold this office to prevent it from being occupied by a radical, progressive Democrat who would undo all we’ve accomplished,” Bird said in a statement. “… Between now and next November, I will run a fierce reelection campaign, and I will will.”
During her time since taking office after the 2022 election when she defeated longtime former Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat, Bird said her office has accomplished “big victories” on issues like supporting crime victims and law enforcement and defending constitutional rights.
As she plans to run again as AG, she thanked people who encouraged her to run for governor, and said she plans to work to elect Republicans in 2026.
“I will also enthusiastically support our Republican nominee for Governor and the entire Republican ticket here in Iowa — our party will be unified,” Bird said. “I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve Iowans as their Attorney General, and I look forward to earning their support again.”
Bird is not the only Republican potential gubernatorial candidate who has tapped out of the race. Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley announced in late June he will run again for the Iowa House after earlier indicating he was not ruling out a gubernatorial bid. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig also said in May he will not run for governor but instead run again as agriculture secretary.
There are still several Republicans who are moving forward with gubernatorial runs. Iowa Rep. Eddie Andrews, R-Johnston, and former state Rep. Brad Sherman have launched campaigns for governor, while U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and state Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, have launched “exploratory” committees for a gubernatorial run.
Bousselot released a statement Wednesday applauding Bird’s work in the AG’s office and saying he supported her decision to run again for the position. He also said Iowa Republicans need a full ticket in 2026 that will “fight aggressively for an Iowa First Agenda that complements President Trump’s America First Agenda.”
“I have been proud to fight for that agenda in the Legislature – lower taxes, bringing manufacturing jobs back to Iowa, and standing firm against extremists who want to raise our taxes so the government can spend more, allow men in girls sports, and who don’t support border policies that keep our communities safe,” Bousselot said. “I have been sharing my perspective with voters around the state, listening to feedback from Iowans, and am laying the groundwork for a potential campaign for Governor next year.”
Democrats including Iowa Auditor Rob Sand and former political operative Julie Stauch have also launched 2026 campaigns for governor.
There is also a Democrat who has announced plans to run for attorney general in 2026. Nate Willems, a lawyer and former state representative, launched his campaign for attorney general in May. Willems released a statement Wednesday saying Iowans are ready to remove Bird from the AG’s office in the upcoming election.
“Iowans are tired of watching Brenna Bird dismantle the integrity of this office and turn it into a mouthpiece for an extreme political agenda,” Willems said in a statement. “Instead of protecting Iowans she has come after our most vulnerable neighbors, including children with disabilities, senior citizens, and sexual assault survivors, all to build her own national profile. It’s time to turn the page and get the attorney general’s office focused on helping the people of Iowa.”
