Summary
- Greene County Attorney Dr. Thomas Laehn enters the Iowa Senate race.
- Runs as a Libertarian for Joni Ernst’s seat.
- First Libertarian elected to partisan office in Iowa.
As of right now, Laehn is the first Libertarian elected to government in Iowa. In 2017 and 2021, he was elected again.
On Saturday morning, Laehn will formally kick off his campaign at Des Moines' State Historical Building.
"I am not running against the Republican candidate, nor am I running against the Democratic candidate,"
Laehn said in a press release.
"I am running against the two-party system itself. It is time to take political power away from the two major parties and to restore it to the people."
Legislation to prevent the abuse of eminent domain, campaign finance reform, and oversight of executive authority abuse are Laehn's top concerns.
Laehn, a professor and prosecutor, was born and reared in Allison, Iowa. Before graduating from the University of Iowa with a law degree, he received degrees from Drake University and Louisiana State.
The public is welcome to attend the free Laehn campaign kickoff event, which begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Among the Republican contenders for the U.S. Senate are veteran Joshua Smith, former Iowa lawmaker Jim Carlin, and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.
Democratic contenders for the position include former Iowa politician Bob Krause, former business magnate Nathan Sage, state lawmakers Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, and Jackie Norris of the Des Moines School Board.
Election day is November 3, 2026, and Iowa primary elections are scheduled on June 2, 2026.
How might a Libertarian candidacy affect the GOP and Democratic vote?
Historically, Libertarian candidates tend to attract more votes from Republicans than Democrats, particularly from fiscally conservative voters who are unhappy with Republican leadership. This can dampen the voting potential of Republican candidates, which could inadvertently help Democratic candidates in a close race.
Libertarians tend to attract independent voters and voters who are dissatisfied with both parties. In other words, they also help change the course of swing voters and raise the percentage of votes from both parties, but they tend to slightly draw from Republicans more.
When there is a Libertarian candidate, it forces Republicans and Democrats to address some libertarian issues. Examples of libertarian issues include government size, individual liberties, and fiscal responsibility.