The Green Papers: Iowa 2020 General Election
 
This page is for offices up for election in 2020. Find 2021 elections here.

Flag images courtesy of The World Flag Database. Copyright http://www.flags.net/ Iowa
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
✓ Primary: Tuesday 2 June 2020
✓ General Election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
Friday 13 March 2020 - Filing Deadline - Primary/Independent/Third/Minor .
Tuesday 2 June 2020 - Primary . Polling hours 7:00a-9:00p CDT (1200-0200 UTC).
Friday 14 August 2020 - Filing Deadline - President .
Tuesday 3 November 2020 - General Election . Polling hours 7:00a-9:00p CST (1300-0300 UTC).
 
Senators:2(Electoral Classes 2 and 3)
Governor:1 
2010 Census:3,053,787 (0.99% of 309,785,186)
2012, 2016, 2020 Electoral Votes:6(1.12% of 538)
2012-2020 Representatives:4(0.92% of 435)
Capital:Des Moines
 

  Alabama    Alaska    American Samoa    Arizona    Arkansas    California    Colorado    Connecticut    Delaware    District of Columbia    Florida    Georgia    Guam    Hawaii    Idaho    Illinois    Indiana    Iowa    Kansas    Kentucky    Louisiana    Maine    Maryland    Massachusetts    Michigan    Minnesota    Mississippi    Missouri    Montana    Nebraska    Nevada    New Hampshire    New Jersey    New Mexico    New York    North Carolina    North Dakota    Northern Marianas    Ohio    Oklahoma    Oregon    Pennsylvania    Puerto Rico    Rhode Island    South Carolina    South Dakota    Tennessee    Texas    Utah    Vermont    Virgin Islands    Virginia    Washington    West Virginia    Wisconsin    Wyoming 

Iowa State and Local Government

Iowa 2020 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions:
Democrats   Republicans


Under State law, a candidate in a Primary must receive at least 35% of the vote in that Primary to win a Party's nomination. If no candidate receives 35% in the Primary, the nominee is chosen by the State Convention of the Party.

Voters must be registered voters of either the Democratic, Libertarian, or Republican parties (Iowa's "Political Parties") to participate in the primary election [Iowa Administrative Code §39.3, 43.1, 43.2, 43.3]. Voters can change their party affiliation anytime before election day or at their polling place on election day. Other parties are considered "Non-Party Political Organizations" in Iowa and candidates are nominated by nomination petitions or a nominating convention.


Three Year Election Calendar, Primary Election, and General Election from the Iowa Secretary of State.

16 May 2019: Governor Kimberly K. "Kim" Reynolds (Republican) signs HF 692 which moves the filing deadline for non-presidential independent candidates and the nominees of unqualified parties from August to March.

2 June 2020 Primary results, results from a media source.


General Election from the Iowa Secretary of State.

3 November 2020 returns from the Iowa Secretary of State.

 
           

President  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2020, 2024. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime. Electors: 6 (Winner-take-all), How Appointed, Meeting Place, Duly Appointed Presidential Electors, List of Presidential Candidates by State, List of Presidential Candidates.
Up for election in 2020
 Candidate list (9, 3 write-ins)
  Elected Republican 897,672 52.80% President Donald John Trump
for Vice President: Vice President Michael R. "Mike" Pence
(6 Electoral Votes)
FEC P80001571; 23 Nov 20; Tot $717,303,371; Dsb $718,174,436
  Candidate Democratic 759,061 44.65% former Vice President Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.
for Vice President: California Senator Kamala D. Harris
FEC P80000722; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,064,613,463; Dsb $1,063,053,521
  Candidate Libertarian 19,637 1.16% Jo Jorgensen
for Vice President: Jeremy "Spike" Cohen
FEC P00013524; 23 Nov 20; Tot $3,405,357; Dsb $3,373,521
  Candidate Scattering 6,614 0.39% Under Votes
  Candidate Scattering 4,337 0.26% Write-in
  Candidate No Party 3,210 0.19% Kanye "Deez Nutz" West
for Vice President: Michelle Tidball
FEC P00016741; 23 Nov 20; Tot $14,442,390; Dsb $12,135,513
  Candidate Green 3,075 0.18% Howie Gresham Hawkins
for Vice President: Angela Nichole Walker
FEC P00012211; 23 Nov 20; Tot $495,566; Dsb $476,095
  Candidate Scattering 2,645 0.16% Over Votes
  Candidate Constitution 1,707 0.10% Don Blankenship
for Vice President: William Alan Mohr
FEC P00014209; 20 Dec 20; Tot $83,880; Dsb $83,880
  Candidate Alliance Party 1,082 0.06% Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente, Jr.
for Vice President: Darcy G. Richardson
FEC P60016342; 23 Nov 20; Tot $14,220,189; Dsb $14,208,041
  Candidate Genealogy Know Your Family History 546 0.03% Ricki Sue King
for Vice President: Dayna R. Chandle
  Candidate No Party 544 0.03% Brock Jeffrey Pierce
for Vice President: Karla Marie Ballard
FEC P00016550; 23 Nov 20; Tot $6,347,587; Dsb $6,315,486
Total 1,700,130 100.00%  

U.S. Senate  6 year term. No Term Limit. 116th Senate  Senate Electoral Classes

Class 2
Seat up for regular election
Republican Senator Joni K. Ernst
• Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020
First elected: 2014
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
Renominated
 Candidate list (4, 3 write-ins)
  Elected Republican 864,997 50.88% Senator Joni K. Ernst
FEC S4IA00129; 23 Nov 20; Tot $27,544,836; Dsb $28,052,581
  Candidate Democratic 754,859 44.40% Theresa Greenfield
FEC S0IA00176; 23 Nov 20; Tot $56,358,239; Dsb $56,079,009
  Candidate Libertarian 36,961 2.17% Rick Stewart
FEC S4IA00194; 23 Nov 20; Tot $8,820; Dsb $14,593
  Candidate Scattering 27,438 1.61% Under Votes
  Candidate No Party 13,800 0.81% Suzanne Herzog
FEC S0IA00184; 31 Dec 20; Tot $18,300; Dsb $18,300
  Candidate Scattering 1,211 0.07% Write-in
  Candidate Scattering 864 0.05% Over Votes
Total 1,700,130 100.00%  

Class 3 Republican Senator Charles E. "Chuck" Grassley
First elected: 1980; re-elected: 1986, 1992, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2016.
[also served in U.S. House- elected: 1974, 1976, 1978]
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022
 Candidate list (1)
  Candidate Republican     Senator Charles E. "Chuck" Grassley
FEC S0IA00028

Governor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022. Term Limit: None, All Governors

  Republican Governor Kimberly K. "Kim" Reynolds
Ascended to the Governor's Chair: 24 May 2017 [re: Governor Terry E. Branstad (Republican) resignation to become Ambassador to China]; first elected: 2018.
Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Lieutenant Governor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022. Elected on a ticket with Governor.

  Republican Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg
Appointed: 25 May 2017 [Governor Kim Reynolds selected State Public Defender Adam Gregg as her Lieutenant Governor]; first elected: 2018.
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

116th U.S. House of Representatives  2-year term. Election Cycle 2020, 2021. No Term Limit. 116th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition):
3 Democratic (2 Renominated, 1 Open);
1 Republican (1 Lost / No longer running)

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 1
Seat up for regular election
Democratic Member of Congress Abby Finkenauer
First elected: 2018
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
Renominated
 Candidate list (2, 3 write-ins) - 117th Congress
  Elected Republican 212,088 50.02% state Representative Ashley Hinson Arenholz
FEC H0IA01174; 31 Dec 20; Tot $5,146,965; Dsb $5,015,590
  Candidate Democratic 201,347 47.49% Member of Congress Abby Finkenauer
FEC H8IA01094; 23 Nov 20; Tot $5,895,132; Dsb $5,873,414
  Candidate Scattering 9,952 2.35% Under Votes
  Candidate Scattering 434 0.10% Write-in
  Candidate Scattering 150 0.04% Over Votes
Total 423,971 100.00%  

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 2
Seat up for regular election
Open
Democratic Member of Congress David Wayne "Dave" Loebsack
First elected: 2006
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
Open Seat - 12 April 2019: Announced his retirement.
12 November 2020: Recount requested. At the conclusion of the recount, 6 votes separate the candidates.
Notice of Contest.
 ** Open Seat (no incumbent) **
 Candidate list (2, 3 write-ins) - 117th Congress
  Candidate Republican 196,964 47.58% state Senator Mariannette Jane Miller-Meeks
FEC H8IA02043; 23 Nov 20; Tot $2,012,401; Dsb $1,675,265
  Candidate Democratic 196,958 47.58% former state Senator Rita R. Hart
Rita Hart will challenge the results before the U.S. House under the Federal Contested Elections Act rather than a pursuing action under state law. She withdrew her contest on 31 March 2021.

FEC H0IA02156; 23 Nov 20; Tot $4,227,123; Dsb $4,031,038
  Candidate Scattering 19,189 4.64% Under Votes
  Candidate Scattering 703 0.17% Write-in
  Candidate Scattering 175 0.04% Over Votes
Total 413,989 100.00%  

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 3
Seat up for regular election
Democratic Member of Congress Cindy Axne
• Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020
First elected: 2018
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
Renominated
 Candidate list (3, 3 write-ins) - 117th Congress
  Elected Democratic 219,205 47.57% Member of Congress Cindy Axne
FEC H8IA03124; 23 Nov 20; Tot $6,250,561; Dsb $6,252,151
  Candidate Republican 212,997 46.22% former Member of Congress David Young
First elected 2014; re-elected: 2016. Unsuccessful candidate for re-election: 2018.

FEC H4IA03115; 31 Dec 20; Tot $3,213,774; Dsb $3,114,760
  Candidate Libertarian 15,361 3.33% Bryan Jack Holder
FEC H4IA03149
  Candidate Scattering 12,648 2.74% Under Votes
  Candidate Scattering 384 0.08% Write-in
  Candidate Scattering 218 0.05% Over Votes
Total 460,813 100.00%  

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 4
Seat up for regular election
Lost
Republican Member of Congress Steven A. "Steve" King
First elected: 2002
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
Lost Primary / No Longer Running
 ** Open Seat (no incumbent) **
 Candidate list (2, 3 write-ins) - 117th Congress
  Elected Republican 237,369 59.12% state Senator Randall "Randy" Feenstra
FEC H0IA04145; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,878,505; Dsb $1,833,219
  Candidate Democratic 144,761 36.06% James D. "JD" Scholten
FEC H8IA04106; 23 Nov 20; Tot $2,906,686; Dsb $2,892,017
  Candidate Scattering 18,348 4.57% Under Votes
  Candidate Scattering 892 0.22% Write-in
  Candidate Scattering 125 0.03% Over Votes
Total 401,495 100.00%  

Secretary of State  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

  Republican Secretary of State Paul D. Pate
First elected: 2014; re-elected: 2018.
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Attorney General  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

  Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller
First elected: 1978; re-elected: 1982, 1986; elected again: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018.
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Treasurer  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

  Democratic Treasurer Michael L. "Mike" Fitzgerald
First elected: 1982; re-elected: 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018.
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Auditor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

  Democratic Auditor Rob Sand
First elected: 2018
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

  Republican Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Mike Naig
Appointed: 1 March 2018 (re: Bill Northey's confirmation by the U.S. Senate as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services); first elected: 2018.
Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022
 

Political Parties    Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties   Those parties which received electoral votes through winning a plurality of a state's [or the District of Columbia's] popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
  Democratic (affiliates): 6 incumbents, 6 candidates
  Republican: 7 incumbents, 7 candidates
Major Third Parties   Any Party, other than a Major Party, receiving a minimum of 15/100ths of 1 percent of the nationwide popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
  Constitution (affiliates): 1 candidate
  Green (affiliates): 1 candidate
  Libertarian: 3 candidates
Other Third Parties
  Alliance Party (affiliates): 1 candidate
  Genealogy Know Your Family History: 1 candidate
  Right to Life
  Unity
Independents
  No Party: 3 candidates
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
  Scattering: 18 candidates
 
Candidates running under the banner of more than one party are counted towards each party's total. A candidate who has lost a primary or is apparently no longer a candidate is not counted.

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

Primary dates marked "presumably" and polling times marked "reportedly" are based on unofficial or estimated data (especially as regards local variations from a jurisdictionwide statutory and/or regulatory standard) and are, thereby, subject to change.

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.


Links Links to other web sites

Constitution   Links to State Constitutions
  Constitution of the State of Iowa
Election Authority
  Iowa Secretary of State
Democratic
  Iowa Democratic Party
  Iowa House Democrats
  Iowa Senate Democrats
Republican
  Iowa House Republican Caucus
  Iowa Senate Republican Caucus
  Republican Party of Iowa
Third Party
  Iowa Green Party
  Iowa Green Party
  Iowa Right to Life Committee
  Libertarian Party of Iowa
  The Unity Party of Iowa
Media & others
  Blog for Iowa
  Caucus Iowa
  Dubuque Telegraph Herald
  Fort Madison Daily Democrat
  Globe Gazette - Mason City
  Iowa Farmer Today
  Iowa Independent
  Iowa Public Television - Johnston
  Iowa Starting Line
  Kalona News
  KCAU TV - ABC - Sioux Land Proud - Sioux City
  KCRG TV - ABC - Cedar Rapids - Iowa City - Dubuque
  KDSM TV - FOX - Des Moines
  KLJB TV - Fox - Davenport
  Politics1.com - Iowa
  Quad-Cities - Dispatch/Argus/Leader - Moline - Rock Island - Davenport
  Quad-City Times
  Radio Iowa
  Sioux City Journal
  The Bloomfield Democrat
  The Daily Nonpareil - Council Bluffs
  The Gazette - Cedar Rapids
  The Gazette - Cedar Rapids
  The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier
  WHO TV - NBC - Des Moines

 


  2020 General Election Home  
 
  President Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party  
  117th U.S. Senate Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party  
  Gubernatorial Popular Vote by Party  
  117th U.S. House Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party  
  Close Contests Summary - Decision by 2% or less  
  Contests Where No Candidate Received a Majority  
 
Electoral College
  Allocation  
  How Appointed   --   Meeting Place   --   Tabulation Joint Session of Congress  
  Duly Appointed Electors  
  THE "FAITHLESS ELECTORS" - Presidential Electors who have defected in the past  
  May Electors Defect?  
  DATES OF U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION "EVENTS": 1789 to the present  
  "APPARENT" ELECTORAL VOTE for President of the United States: 1856 to present  
  ELECTORAL VOTE for President of the United States (as pledged and as officially counted)  
  ELECTORAL VOTE for Vice President of the United States (as pledged and as officially counted)  
 
2020 Primaries and Runoffs for Statewide offices/Congress
  Alphabetically   --   Alphabetically with Filing Deadlines  
  Chronologically   --   Chronologically with Filing Deadlines  
  Poll Closing Times (with time zones)  
....
General Election Poll Closing Times (with time zones)
  Alphabetically   --   Chronologically   --   Electoral College  
....
Poll Closing Times (list)
  All Elections     Primary/Special Elections     General Elections  
....
  Presidential Candidates     Presidential Candidates by State     Presidential Candidate Ballot Access by State  
....
  Governors     Senate     House  
....
  Senators by 'Class'  
  Governors by election 'cycle'  
....
  Gubernatorial Primaries at a Glance   --   Senatorial Primaries at a Glance  
....
  Open Governor's Chairs, Senate and House Seats (the incumbent is not running for re-election)  
  Governor's Chairs, Senate, and U.S. House Seats with no incumbent running for them  
  Uncontested Governor's Chairs, Senate, and U.S. House Seats (one candidate running for office)  
  Governor's Chairs, Senate, and U.S. House Seats with multiple incumbents running for them  
  Governor's Chairs, Senate, and U.S. House Seats with only one major party candidate running for office  
....
  2020 Partisan Composition by State  
....
  Political Parties  
....
  Senate Electoral Classes  
....
  Statewide Political Party Strength going into the 2020 Presidential Election  
....

....
  Comparative Political Party Predominance in each State, 2000 thru 2016  
....
History
  Political Party Floor Leaders in the Congress of the United States  
  Dates of DIRECT PRIMARY Elections re: Major Party Nominations for Statewide and/or Federal Office  
  Length of Terms of Office of STATE Governors throughout American History  
....
  Dates of U.S. Presidential Election "Events": 1789 to present  
....
  Complete Constitutional provisions for the election of the President and Vice-President  
  Complete Federal Law governing the election of a President and Vice-President and filling of vacancies of the same  
....
  (downloads)