November 4th, 2026

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Voters in Iowa delivered a sweeping Democratic victory in the November 3, 2026 general election, with Rob Sand winning the governor’s race, Josh Turek winning the open U.S. Senate seat, and Dubuque’s Lindsay James winning the open Second Congressional District seat. In Dubuque County, voters also changed the leadership of the county attorney’s office, electing Steve Drahozal over incumbent Scott Nelson.

With all precincts reporting statewide, Sand and running mate Dave Muhlbauer led Zach Lahn and Derek Wulf by 757,326 votes to 607,415, about 55.4 percent to 44.4 percent. The Associated Press called the race for Sand on November 3, 2026. Sand becomes the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa since 2006.

In the U.S. Senate race, Turek led Ashley Hinson by 686,487 votes to 630,615, about 50.5 percent to 46.4 percent. The Associated Press called the race for Turek on November 3, 2026. In Dubuque County, where all 34 precincts reported, Turek led Hinson by 22,472 votes to 20,147, with Laehn at 1,057.

James defeated Joe Mitchell in the Second District by 171,484 votes to 157,722, about 49.5 percent to 45.5 percent, a margin of 13,762 votes. The Associated Press called that race for James on November 3, 2026.

Iowa voters also approved Constitutional Amendment 1, which will require a two-thirds vote of each chamber of the Iowa Legislature to raise individual or corporate income tax rates or to create a new tax based on income. With all precincts reporting, the measure led by 686,939 votes to 534,258, about 56.3 percent to 43.7 percent. The amendment changes no tax rate by itself; it raises the threshold for future increases to 67 of 100 votes in the House and 34 of 50 votes in the Senate. In Dubuque County, the amendment led by 21,858 votes to 18,177.

In Dubuque County’s own races, Drahozal defeated Nelson for county attorney by 22,230 votes to 20,071. For the two open seats on the Board of Supervisors, Kristin Dietzel and Rick Dickinson finished first and second, with 22,076 and 19,576 votes, ahead of Jason Davis at 18,941 and Wayne Kenniker at 18,086.

Dubuque County Public Measure A, the proposed up-to-$18 million conservation bond, passed with 28,346 votes in favor to 12,432 against, about 69.5 percent support — above the more than 60 percent required for a bond measure to pass.

Across the state line in Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley was elected governor on November 3, 2026. In Grant County, Republican Tom Tiffany led Crowley by 10,693 votes to 9,255, about 53.6 percent to 46.4 percent, with 95 percent of the county reporting. In Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District, which includes Platteville, Democrat Rebecca Cooke defeated Republican Derrick Van Orden, flipping a seat Republicans had held since 2022.

All results remain unofficial until the county and state canvasses certify them. The Iowa state canvass must be complete by November 30, 2026.