DES MOINES — Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement on the Democrat primary for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture:

“While Democrats argue over which extreme leftist will lose to Secretary Naig this time, Mike Naig is focused on leading Iowa. His record is clear: expanding markets for Iowa agriculture, accelerating conservation efforts, and delivering real results for Iowa families. That’s the steady leadership Iowans want, not Democrat policies that lead to higher taxes and heavier regulations that drive up gas and grocery prices.”

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DES MOINES — Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement in response to the 2026 Condition of the State from Governor Kim Reynolds:

“Governor Reynolds laid out a clear vision for Iowa’s future, focused on keeping our state affordable for families, farmers, and small businesses. With a strong Republican majority in the legislature, we are ready to deliver results.

After two terms of leadership cutting income taxes and eliminating retirement and inheritance taxes, the Governor and legislative leaders are continuing their work to provide real property tax relief. Property taxes keep rising year after year, placing an increasing burden on homeowners, and that trajectory isn’t sustainable.

The Governor remains committed to strengthening rural healthcare, supporting parents and students in education, and ensuring Iowa remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. 

Governor Reynolds has been a transformational leader. The condition of our state is strong, and I am confident that she will continue securing big wins for the people of Iowa.”

Iowa Under Governor Kim Reynolds’ Leadership:

2025 Top Rankings:

• #1 Most fiscally responsible governor

• #1 Lowest healthcare costs

• #1 Most reduced state income taxes since 2000

• #1 Renewable energy generation

• #2 State for opportunity

• #4 Best healthcare system

• #4 Education choice

• #7 State for affordability

2025 Top Statistics:

• $20 billion in new capital investment (since 2024)

• 1 of 3 states fully recovered to pre-pandemic scores in math & reading

• $858 million in housing investments with a record 16,000 units under construction

• 76% increase in work-based learning (since 2023)

For sources and more information click here.

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DES MOINES — Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement in response to the results of the Iowa Senate District 16 special election:

“I want to personally thank Lucas Loftin and the hardworking volunteers who knocked doors in the frigid cold over the holidays. In a very tough district, Lucas and his family poured their hearts and souls into this race, and Iowa Republicans deeply appreciate their commitment and willingness to step up.

Lucas’s campaign forced the Iowa Democrat Party to spend a significant amount of money in a district so blue there wasn’t a Republican candidate on the ballot last cycle. National Democrats even got involved and used their platform to fundraise across the country for his opponent.

Although we fell short this time, the Republican Party of Iowa remains laser-focused on expanding our majorities in the Iowa Legislature and keeping Iowa ruby-red.”

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DES MOINES — Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement in response to two members of the Iowa National Guard who were killed in action in Syria:

“I ask all Iowans to join me in praying for the loved ones of Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar of the Iowa National Guard, who were tragically killed in action in Palmyra, Syria. These brave Iowans answered the call to serve on a counterterrorism mission in pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to their families, their fellow soldiers, and all those affected by this profound loss. I am also praying for the full recovery of those injured in this heinous attack.”

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DES MOINES — Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement congratulating Iowa House District 7 Representative-elect Wendy Larson:

“Wendy earned every bit of this win — from meeting with voters across the district by knocking on doors in the snow, making calls, and having events to spread her vision for the future of Iowa, she has truly put in the work. 

I am confident that Wendy will be a strong representative for Northwest Iowa in our state legislature. 

Wendy’s victory as a pro-faith, pro-freedom, and pro-family conservative is a clear rejection of the liberal Iowa Democrat agenda led by Rob Sand and House Democrats. This proves that Iowans know Republicans share their values, and when we turn out, we win.”
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About Wendy:

Wendy Larson earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Wendy married her husband Chad in 2000. Chad is a native to Sac County and a fifth generation farmer. Together, Chad and Wendy have three children and reside in Odebolt. Wendy is a deaconess at Kiron Baptist Church and a volunteer at the Mobile Food Pantry.

Wendy Larson says her top priorities at the statehouse are protecting landowner rights, providing property tax relief, and protecting our children.

Headshot here.
Election results here. 

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DES MOINES — Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement in response to the end of the Democrat Shutdown:

“Thank you to our strong federal delegation for ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history  – courtesy of Congressional Democrats. For 43 days, they held our government hostage, leaving families to go hungry, disrupting air travel for millions, and forcing our nation’s heroes to wonder when their next paycheck would come.  

Iowans will not forget how Democrats used them as leverage in a shameful political stunt. This should be a wake-up call: today’s Democrat Party has become unrecognizable, willing to throw the American people under the bus to appease their radical base.”

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DES MOINES — Democrat State Auditor and candidate for Governor Rob Sand’s latest proposal to create a two-tiered property-tax system, one rate for Iowans and another for out-of-state owners, isn’t just bad policy, it’s flat-out unconstitutional.

During an appearance on Iowa Press this week, Sand suggested property owned by non-residents should be taxed at a higher rate. 

Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said the idea has been examined before, and thrown out every time.

“We’ve heard this before, and it’s unconstitutional,” Kaufmann said. “Rob Sand isn’t breaking new ground; he’s suggesting breaking the law. Iowans deserve honesty, not stunts.”

Kaufmann pointed to both the Iowa Constitution and the U.S. Constitution as clear prohibitions on liberal Rob Sand’s idea.

• Iowa Constitution, Article I, Section 6 requires all laws of a general nature to operate uniformly and forbids granting special privileges to one class of citizens over another.

• The U.S. Constitution’s Privileges and Immunities Clause (Article IV, Section 2) bars states from discriminating against citizens of other states in matters of commerce, property, or taxation.

• Iowa precedent such as Borden v. Selden (1966) reinforces that “closer identity with the community and state” cannot justify unequal tax treatment based on residency.

Kaufmann added, “Either Rob Sand is trying to deceive Iowans into thinking he’s found some new solution, or he doesn’t understand the law he’s sworn to uphold. Which is worse?”

Background:

• Radio Iowa: “Rob Sand proposes two-tier property tax system for Iowans and out-of-staters,” Nov. 2025.

• Iowa Constitution, Art. I, § 6 — Uniform-operation clause.

• U.S. Constitution, Art. IV, § 2 — Privileges and Immunities Clause.

• Borden v. Selden (1966) — Iowa Supreme Court rejected discriminatory tax treatment of non-residents.

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"Thanks to the Democrat Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, at least 131,000 Iowa families are at risk of losing their food stamps come November 1. Government is a service to the people and Democrat politics is putting at risk essential services to Iowans. How come Iowa Democrats aren't pushing their leader Chuck Schumer to reopen the government so Iowa families in need don't lose food assistance?

"Recently, House Democrat Whip Katherine Clark said, 'Of course there will be families that are going to suffer.' She boasted the Democrats are using the shutdown as 'leverage' revealing how the Democrats are using the American people as pawns.

"Republicans have voted 12 times to reopen the government. It's high time for the Schumer Shutdown to end and for Iowans to receive the benefits they are expecting. When will Democrats set their partisan politics aside and put Iowans first?"

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DES MOINES – Iowa GOP Spokesperson Jade Cichy released the following statement in response to Democrat Des Moines Public School Board Chair Jackie Norris dropping her U.S. Senate bid:

“We have ‘radical empathy’ for Jackie Norris’ failed campaign, but not for her failed leadership. Stepping out of one race doesn’t excuse what she’s done on the Des Moines School Board. It’s time for her to step down.”

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