Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said she will not run for governor, a decision that surprised several political observers who had expected her to jump into the Republican primary to succeed Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“I was born and raised on a farm, and one thing I know is that you don’t stop halfway through a job,” Bird said in a statement provided first to the Des Moines Register. “We have accomplished big victories — stopping scammers, fighting for victims, standing up for law enforcement and defending our constitutional rights. But, there is still more work to do.”
Bird said she plans to run a “fierce reelection campaign” for attorney general in the 2026 election.
“I will also enthusiastically support our Republican nominee for governor and the entire Republican ticket here in Iowa — our party will be unified,” she said. “I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve Iowans as their attorney general, and I look forward to earning their support once again.”
Reynolds announced in April she would not seek another term as governor, upending the state’s political landscape and opening the door to would-be GOP successors.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird speaks during the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Fall Banquet on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Des Moines.
Bird immediately suggested she would consider running for governor. And she was thought to be a strong contender to earn Republican President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the race.
In May, she posted a teaser video to social media that included a mash-up of videos of Trump praising her and telling an Iowa crowd that “she’s going to be your governor someday, I predict.”
Bird posted the video with just the word “someday” along with the “eyes” emoji.
Bird, who is in her first term after defeating longtime Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller in 2022, was the highest-profile elected official to endorse Trump ahead of the 2024 Iowa Caucuses. And she has been a vocal supporter of Trump and his agenda while in office.
“Running for governor isn’t a decision to be made lightly,” she said in a statement at the time. “We look forward to sharing our plans soon for an exciting 2026.”
Former President Donald Trump embraces Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at the Trump caucus night watch party at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
Bird announced Wednesday, June 2, she would run for reelection rather than for the governor’s office.
“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,” she said in her statement. “That is why I have decided to run for reelection for Attorney General in 2026.”
Labor lawyer and former state representative Nate Willems, who has announced a run for attorney general as a Democrat, criticized Bird’s conduct in office.
“Iowans are tired of watching Brenna Bird dismantle the integrity of this office and turn it into a mouthpiece for an extreme political agenda,” he said in a statement released shortly after Bird’s announcement. “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.”
Bird’s announcement comes the day before Trump is set to speak in Des Moines at an event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
It also comes as other Republicans have moved forward with plans to seek the GOP nomination for governor.
State Rep. Eddie Andrews and former state legislator Brad Sherman have launched campaigns for governor. And U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and state Sen. Mike Bousselot have mounted exploratory committees.
State Auditor Rob Sand and political operative Julie Stauch have launched campaigns on the Democratic side.
(This story has been updated to include additional information.)
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird won’t run for governor in 2026
