Property taxes continue to be one of the biggest issues in Iowa’s race for governor, with candidates from both parties outlining different ideas for how to lower costs for homeowners, farmers, businesses, and seniors across the state.
During Sioux County Radio’s pre-primary Daily Grind series, candidates repeatedly pointed to property taxes as a top concern they’re hearing from Iowans on the campaign trail, though they often differed on how to address the issue.
Fourth District Congressman Randy Feenstra said lowering costs for Iowans starts with property tax relief.
Feenstra praised recent efforts by Iowa lawmakers and emphasized the need to balance relief with maintaining services like schools, roads, police, and fire departments.
Former Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen said the larger issue is government spending itself. Steen argued property tax reform must be paired with tighter oversight of how taxpayer dollars are used.
Steen said his administration would push for “zero-based budgeting,” requiring governments to justify spending each year rather than automatically increasing budgets.
State Representative Eddie Andrews described himself as a “premise challenger” and suggested Iowa should rethink the broader structure of property taxes altogether.
Andrews said frustration over property taxes has become widespread across Iowa.
Republican candidate Zach Lahn tied property tax discussions to outside investment in Iowa farmland. Lahn argued that large out-of-state investment groups are helping drive up costs for young farmers and families.
Former State Representative and pastor Brad Sherman also focused heavily on seniors and fixed-income homeowners.
Meanwhile, State Auditor Rob Sand said affordability remains a major concern while also cautioning that lawmakers and voters are still reviewing Iowa’s latest property tax legislation.
Sand, who is the only Democrat on the June 2nd ballot for governor, also said he believes Iowa should look at ways to address out-of-state ownership of farmland and housing, arguing that large investment groups can drive up costs for Iowa families.
Most of the interviews either took place before Governor Kim Reynolds signed a broad property tax reform bill into law or before candidates had an opportunity to fully review the legislation passed during this year’s session. The new law is designed to slow future property tax growth and make broader changes to Iowa’s current property tax system.
