Zach Lahn

Supports eventually eliminating Iowa's personal income tax and property taxes on primary-residence single-family homes. Proposes finding savings through a publicly accessible government-spending ledger and raising revenue from data centers. In the Oct. 14 debate, he had not provided a complete funding mechanism for eliminating primary-home property taxes. He mentioned a sales-tax increase suggested by others but explicitly said it was not his proposal.

Sources: Iowa First Check analysis of the Oct. 14, 2026 debate transcript · Iowa Capital Dispatch on the Oct. 14, 2026 debate: budget and schools

Proposes letting Iowa high-school graduates who stay in or return to the state direct their income-tax savings toward a first-home down payment for a set period. His October interview did not specify the duration. Also favors incentives for training in shortage occupations and prioritizing Iowa businesses and workers in state contracts. Supports ending H-1B hiring at public universities and institutions; Sand has questioned how those jobs would be filled.

Sources: KGAN interview with Zach Lahn, Oct. 6, 2026 · Iowa PBS interview with Zach Lahn, July 10, 2026 (transcript) · Iowa First Check analysis of the Oct. 14, 2026 debate transcript

Supports education savings accounts, homeschooling and greater flexibility within public schools. Proposes innovation zones, less standardized testing, mastery-based learning, and individual or small-group help for students needing behavioral support. Also proposes revoking teaching licenses for teachers who promote their political viewpoints in class. In the Oct. 14 debate, he favored targeted investments but did not give an overall school-funding increase.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign plan: issue platform · Iowa Capital Dispatch on the Oct. 14, 2026 debate: budget and schools

Describes Iowa's Medicaid system as largely working, while proposing restrictions on managed-care companies owning pharmacies and providers. Supports using artificial intelligence to detect fraud but says AI should not deny claims. Also emphasizes reliable care and prompt provider payments. He has said federal changes largely addressed the concerns behind his earlier opposition to Medicaid expansion in Montana.

Sources: KWQC candidate interviews, Sept. 16, 2026 · Iowa PBS interview with Zach Lahn, July 10, 2026 (transcript)

Agreed during a January primary debate when asked whether he would ban mRNA vaccines. In October, he said his position concerned COVID-19 shots and expressed support for promising cancer treatments; he also acknowledged possible benefits from future mRNA technology. His later explanation is narrower than his earlier statements. The sources reviewed do not provide a detailed policy defining which products would be restricted.

Sources: KGAN interview with Zach Lahn, Oct. 6, 2026 · Iowa First Check analysis of the Oct. 6, 2026 debate transcript · Iowa First Check fact check: Lahn and an mRNA ban, Sept. 8, 2026 · January 2026 primary debate exchange (video)

Proposes independent agricultural-product testing, more Iowa-focused university research, expanded water monitoring and funding Iowa's Water and Land Legacy program. Supports conservation incentives for saturated buffers, wetlands and cover crops, and says he favors cooperation with farmers rather than additional water-quality taxes or regulation. Has also opposed pesticide-manufacturer immunity from failure-to-warn lawsuits.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign plan: issue platform · KGAN interview with Zach Lahn, Oct. 6, 2026 · Radio Iowa on Lahn, pesticide testing and liability, Sept. 2, 2026

Supports agricultural antitrust action, farmers' right to repair, restrictions on illegal foreign farmland ownership, and higher property taxes on out-of-state investors to reduce taxes on Iowa farms. Proposes low-interest financing and mentorship for young farmers and veterans. Opposes eminent domain for private corporate gain and has set a long-term goal of sourcing 80% of public-school food from Iowa.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign plan: issue platform · Iowa PBS interview with Zach Lahn, July 10, 2026 (transcript)

Proposes banning Wall Street hedge funds from buying Iowa single-family homes and raising taxes on out-of-state institutional investors. His first-home proposal would direct income-tax savings toward down payments for eligible Iowa graduates who stay in or return to the state. The reviewed interview did not specify the benefit period or full eligibility rules.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign plan: issue platform · KGAN interview with Zach Lahn, Oct. 6, 2026

Supports a temporary data-center moratorium while baseline rules are established, with local communities retaining a role in siting. Opposes incentives and says operators should cover their costs and meet environmental protections. His current platform also calls for higher data-center taxes to reduce Iowans' property taxes.

Sources: Iowa PBS interview with Zach Lahn, July 10, 2026 (transcript) · Zach Lahn campaign plan: issue platform

Supports legal protection from conception. In his April Iowa PBS interview, described Iowa's existing abortion restriction as good and said he would likely support further restrictions, depending on the legislation. Also supported IVF regulations to prevent embryo destruction. Those statements do not provide a complete legislative proposal or specify all exceptions and enforcement provisions.

Sources: PBS interview with Zach Lahn, April 3, 2026 (captions) · Radio Iowa on GOP candidates and protection from conception, Jan. 28, 2026

Supports ending state benefits for undocumented immigrants and protecting Second Amendment rights. Has also advocated banning gender-transition surgeries. The reviewed statements do not supply a detailed bill defining the age range or implementation of that proposed ban.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign plan: issue platform · Iowa Firearms Coalition interview with Zach Lahn, Feb. 4, 2026

Supports further limits on gubernatorial emergency powers and more authority for counties and municipalities. Says Iowa should challenge federal agency regulations that he believes exceed lawful authority. Proposes a public spending ledger to identify waste and savings.

Sources: Iowa PBS interview with Zach Lahn, July 10, 2026 (transcript) · Iowa Capital Dispatch on the Oct. 14, 2026 debate: budget and schools