DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate today announced the results of the unscientific Iowa State Fair Straw Poll. The poll, which closed Sunday at 8pm, allowed fairgoers to cast their preference for candidates for the 2026 gubernatorial, senatorial, and congressional races. Nearly 3,000 fairgoers participated in the 2026 state fair straw poll, using tablets at the Iowa Secretary of State’s booth in the Varied Industries Building to select their preferred candidates.
Fairgoers were asked to choose their preferred candidates for the 2026 Midterm Election, as well as some fun questions about fair food and iconic butter sculptures. Secretary Pate emphasized that the poll serves a larger purpose beyond measuring candidate preferences.
“Traditionally, the straw poll has offered a useful snapshot of how Iowans are feeling headed into an election, but its larger purpose is to inspire people across the state to engage in the elections process,” Secretary Pate said. “With the midterm election approaching on November 3, now is the moment to make sure your voice counts and influence the future of your community. November will arrive quickly, so it’s a great time to start making your plan to vote.”
Below are percentage totals for gubernatorial, senatorial, and congressional votes cast throughout the 11 days of the 2026 Iowa State Fair.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Zach Lahn/Derek Wulf (R), 63.68%, 1,757 votes cast
- Rob Sand/Dave Muhlbauer (D), 36.32%, 1,002 votes cast
U.S. Senate
- Ashley Hinson (R), 64.03%, 1,762 votes cast
- Josh Turek (D), 33.36%, 918 votes cast
- Thomas Laehn (L), 2.61%, 72 votes cast
Congressional District 1
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R), 65.92%, 296 votes
- Christina Bohannan (D), 30.07%, 135 votes
- Michael Bridgford (NP), 4.01%, 18 votes
Congressional District 2
- Joe Mitchell (R), 69.72%, 274 votes
- Lindsay James (D), 23.92%, 94 votes
- Rick Stewart (L), 3.56%, 14 votes
- Dave Bushaw (NP), 2.80%, 11 votes
Congressional District 3
- Zach Nunn (R), 64.51% 876 votes
- Sarah Trone Garriott (D), 35.49%, 482 votes
Congressional District 4
- Chris McGowan (R), 70.73%, 360 votes
- Dave Dawson (D), 29.72%, 149 votes
Secretary Pate also polled fairgoers on their favorite Iowa State Fair foods and butter sculptures.
- The state fair cookies were the top choice for fair food, receiving 37% of votes (986 total). Pork chop on a stick closely followed, receiving 30% of votes (797 total).
- Jack Trice, Kurt Warner, and Caitlin Clark easily took top place for most iconic butter sculpture(s), receiving nearly 40% of votes (1,004 total).
All results are unscientific and unofficial. Fairgoers who visited the booth could also register to vote for the upcoming election and learn about various programs from the Secretary’s Elections and Business Services Divisions.
Full results are available at sos.iowa.gov/statefairpoll.
