Businessman and farmer Zach Lahn of Belle Plaine is the latest — and final — Republican candidate featured in Sioux County Radio’s Road to Iowa Governor 2026 series.
Lahn says he is running as a political outsider, emphasizing his background as a sixth-generation Iowan and businessman rather than a career politician. He says his decision to run is rooted in concerns about the future of Iowa’s rural communities.
Lahn says Iowa has lost thousands of family farms over the past two decades and that young people are increasingly unable to afford land or stay in the state.
Property taxes are one of the most common issues Lahn says he hears about while traveling the state and meeting with voters. He believes the issue is closely tied to government spending and says local budgets need stronger limits.
On health care, Lahn says access in rural communities is one of the biggest concerns he hears from Iowans. He says declining populations in small towns are making it harder to sustain rural hospitals and clinics, even as those communities continue to age. Lahn believes growing rural populations are key to maintaining health care access across the state.
Lahn also says Iowa must refocus on public education and keeping graduates in the state. He says Iowa has fallen from its historic standing as a national leader in education and that families are increasingly leaving public schools.
As part of his campaign, Lahn recently visited Sioux City on Wednesday night and Council Bluffs on Thursday, continuing to make stops across western Iowa.
At the same time, Lahn’s campaign is highlighting his finances. His team shared a graphic on social media this week showing $2.1 million in cash on hand, calling it “2.1 million reasons Iowa comes first.” In the post, Lahn emphasized that he is self-funded and not tied to political donors. Lahn echoed that message during his interview with Sioux County Radio, saying he believes the race will be highly competitive and that his independence from donors sets him apart.
Lahn is one of several Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination for governor in 2026 and has positioned himself as a political outsider focused on rural Iowa and what he calls an Iowa-first approach to state government.
Sioux County Radio will continue its Road to Iowa Governor 2026 series next week, featuring the first of two Democratic candidates running for Iowa’s top office, beginning with State Auditor Rob Sand.
Read about the candidate that was featured last week right here.
