The 2014 Iowa gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014. Republican incumbent Terry Branstad ran for reelection to a sixth overall and second consecutive four-year term. Branstad went on to win a historic sixth term as governor by defeating Democratic challenger and State Senator Jack Hatch, and on December 14, 2015, he became the longest-serving governor in American history. He won 59.1% of the popular vote to Hatch's 37.3%, and carried every county in the state except Johnson, home to Iowa City and the University of Iowa. This was one of the nine Republican-held governorships up for election in a state that Barack Obama won in the 2012 presidential election.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared Terry Branstad, incumbent Governor Tom Hoefling, political activist and America's Party and American Independent Party nominee for president in 2012
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad TomHoefling UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 15–19, 2014 303 ± 3.3% 66% 12% 22%Loras College April 7–8, 2014 600 ± 4.0% 80% 4% 14%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University April 3–8, 2014 224 ± 6.6% 70% 9% 21%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 20–23, 2014 283 ± 5.8% 70% 11% 18%
Results
Democratic primary Narcisse was disqualified from appearing on the ballot in the Democratic primary following a ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court that upheld a lower court decision that held that Narcisse had not submitted enough valid signatures to be placed on the ballot for the primary election. Narcisse continued his campaign and declared his intention to run for the nomination as a write-in candidate. When he was unsuccessful, he announced that he would be running in the general election as the nominee of the Iowa Party.
Candidates
Declared Jack Hatch, state senator Jonathan Narcisse, former member of the Des Moines School Board and Iowa Party nominee for governor in 2010
Withdrew Paul Dahl, bus driver, retail sales associate, former librarian and candidate for Iowa's 5th congressional district in 1994 Tyler Olson, state representative and former chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party
Declined Frank Cownie, Mayor of Des Moines Chet Culver, former governor Jeff Danielson, state senator Michael Fitzgerald, state treasurer Michael Gronstal, majority leader of the Iowa Senate and chairman of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Fred Hubbell, insurance executive Pam Jochum, president of the Iowa Senate Bob Krause, former state representative, nominee for state treasurer in 1978, candidate for Mayor of Waterloo in 1982 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 Janet Petersen, state senator Tom Vilsack, United States Secretary of Agriculture and former governor
Endorsements
Results
General election
Candidates Terry Branstad (Republican), incumbent governor Running mate: Kim Reynolds, incumbent lieutenant governor Jack Hatch (Democratic), state senator Running mate: Monica Vernon, Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Jim Hennager (New Independent Party), administrator, former city councillor and Reform Party nominee for governor in 1998 Running mate: Mary Krieg Lee Hieb (Libertarian), orthopedic surgeon Running mate: Ryan Ketelsen, businessman Jonathan Narcisse (Iowa Party), former member of the Des Moines School Board and nominee for governor in 2010 Running mate: Michael Richards, semi-retired businessman
Debates Complete video of debate, September 20, 2014 - C-SPAN
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2014 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics November 3, 2014
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) JackHatch (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 1,265 ± 2.8% 51% 40% 5%Jim Hennager (NIP) 2%, Lee Deakins Hieb (L) 2%, Jonathan Narcisse (IP) 1% 5% 54% 43% — 4%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University October 28–November 2, 2014 778 ± 3.5% 52% 41% 2% 6%Iowa PollIowa Poll October 28–31, 2014 701 ± 3.7% 59% 35% 2% 4%YouGovYouGov October 25–31, 2014 1,112 ± 4.4% 49% 35% 4% 13%Fox NewsFox News October 28–30, 2014 911 ± 3% 53% 36% 5% 6%Reuters/IpsosReuters/Ipsos October 23–29, 2014 1,129 ± 3.3% 57% 34% 4% 5%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac October 22–27, 2014 817 ± 3.4% 56% 37% 2% 5%Loras CollegeLoras College October 21–24, 2014 1,121 ± 2.93% 55% 34% 2% 9%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 2,322 ± 3% 50% 37% 0% 13%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist October 18–22, 2014 772 LV ± 3.5% 59% 36% 2% 4% 1,052 RV ± 3% 58% 34% 2% 6%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 20–21, 2014 964 ± 3% 53% 43% — 4%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University October 18–21, 2014 423 ± 4.8% 58% 37% 3% 2%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University October 15–21, 2014 964 ± 3.2% 55% 37% 2% 5%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University October 11–14, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 54% 37% 3%Jim Hennager (NIP) 1%, Lee Deakins Hieb (L) 1%, Jonathan Narcisse (IP) 1% 7%Quinnipiac University October 8–13, 2014 967 ± 3.2% 54% 39% 1% 6%The Iowa PollThe Iowa Poll October 3–8, 2014 1,000 ± 3.1% 54% 39% — 4%MagellanMagellan October 3, 2014 1,299 ± 2.8% 55% 39% — 7%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist September 27–October 1, 2014 778 LV ± 3.5% 58% 36% 1% 5% 1,093 RV ± 3% 58% 35% 1% 6%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20–October 1, 2014 2,359 ± 2% 52% 39% 0% 9%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing September 29–30, 2014 522 ± 4% 51% 43% — 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 25–28, 2014 1,192 ± 2.8% 50% 36% 4%Jim Hennager (NIP) 3%, Lee Deakins Hieb (L) 2%, Jonathan Narcisse (IP) 1% 9% 52% 38% — 10%Iowa PollIowa Poll September 21–24, 2014 546 ± 4.2% 48% 34% 6%Jim Hennager (NIP) 2%, Lee Deakins Hieb (L) 3%, Jonathan Narcisse (IP) 1% 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 17–18, 2014 750 ± 4% 46% 40% 3% 10%FOX NewsFOX News September 14–16, 2014 600 ± 4% 50% 37% 4% 8%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac September 10–15, 2014 1,167 ± 2.9% 60% 37% 1% 3%Loras CollegeLoras College September 2–5, 2014 1,200 ± 2.82% 56% 34% — 11%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18–September 2, 2014 1,764 ± 3% 51% 38% 1% 10%SuffolkSuffolk August 23–26, 2014 500 ± 4% 47% 35% 2%Jim Hennager (NIP) 1%, Lee Deakins Hieb (L) 1%, Jonathan Narcisse (IP) 0% 16%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 22–24, 2014 915 ± 3.2% 48% 35% 5% 12% 50% 37% — 13%Rasmussen Reports August 11–12, 2014 750 ± 4% 52% 35% 6% 7%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 2,044 ± 2.7% 51% 40% 1% 8%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing July 17–18, 2014 1,179 ± 3% 50% 42% — 9%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist July 7–13, 2014 1,599 ± 2.5% 53% 38% 1% 9%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac June 12–16, 2014 1,277 ± 2.7% 47% 38% 1% 14%Vox Populi Polling June 4–5, 2014 665 ± 3.8% 51% 40% — 9%Loras CollegeLoras College June 4–5, 2014 600 ± 4% 52% 38% — 11%Rasmussen Reports June 4–5, 2014 750 ± 4% 49% 40% 2% 8%Global Strategy GroupGlobal Strategy Group May 13–15, 2014 602 ± 4% 47% 40% — 13%Public Policy Polling May 15–19, 2014 914 ± 3.3% 48% 40% — 12%Victory EnterprisesVictory Enterprises April 30–May 1, 2014 400 ± 4.9% 48% 33% — 20%Hickman AnalyticsHickman Analytics April 24–30 500 ± 4.4% 50% 40% — 10%Vox Populi Polling April 22–24, 2014 600 ± 4% 45% 43% — 12%Public Policy Polling April 19–20, 2014 677 ± 3.8% 43% 38% — 19%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University April 3–8, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 42% 32% 2%Lee Hieb (L) 24%Quinnipiac March 5–10, 2014 1,411 ± 2.6% 46% 35% 1% 17%Selzer & Co.Selzer & Co. February 23–26, 2014 703 ± 3.7% 44% 29% — 27%Public Policy Polling February 20–23, 2014 869 ± 3.3% 48% 36% — 15%Quinnipiac December 10–15, 2013 1,617 ± 2.4% 49% 33% 1% 17%Selzer & Co.Selzer & Co. December 8–11, 2013 325 ± ?% 52% 29% 8% 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 47% 35% — 18%Selzer & Co.Selzer & Co. June 2–5, 2013 591 ± 4% 55% 27% 9% 9%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 1–3, 2013 846 ± % 48% 33% — 19%
With Branstad Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) BruceBraley (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling February 1–3, 2013 846 ± % 47% 41% — 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 3–6, 2012 1,181 ± 2.85% 44% 40% — 16%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) ChetCulver (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 47% 42% — 11%Public Policy Polling February 1–3, 2013 846 ± % 50% 40% — 10%Public Policy Polling May 3–6, 2012 1,181 ± 2.85% 44% 42% — 14%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) MichaelGronstal (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 50% 36% — 14%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) BobKrause (D) Other UndecidedQuinnipiac December 10–15, 2013 1,617 ± 2.4% 49% 31% 1% 19%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) DaveLoebsack (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling February 1–3, 2013 846 ± % 48% 38% — 14%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) TylerOlson (D) Other UndecidedQuinnipiac December 10–15, 2013 1,617 ± 2.4% 50% 32% 1% 17%Selzer & Co. December 8–11, 2013 325 ± ?% 51% 28% 8% 13%Public Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 47% 33% — 20%Public Policy Polling February 1–3, 2013 846 ± % 47% 31% — 22%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerryBranstad (R) TomVilsack (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling February 1–3, 2013 846 ± % 47% 46% — 8%Public Policy Polling May 3–6, 2012 1,181 ± 2.85% 43% 46% — 11%
With Hoefling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TomHoefling (R) JackHatch (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 15–19, 2014 914 ± 3.3% 30% 37% — 33%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University April 3–8, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 23% 35% 3% 39%Public Policy Polling February 20–23, 2014 869 ± 3.3% 30% 34% — 36%
With Reynolds Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror KimReynolds (R) ChetCulver (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 38% 42% — 20%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror KimReynolds (R) MichaelGronstal (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 37% 37% — 26%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror KimReynolds (R) JackHatch (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 36% 33% — 30%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror KimReynolds (R) TylerOlson (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 5–7, 2013 668 ± 3.8% 36% 32% — 32%
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Black Hawk (largest city: Waterloo) Des Moines (largest city: Burlington) Dubuque (largest city: Dubuque) Floyd (largest city: Charles City) Jefferson (largest city: Fairfield) Lee (largest city: Fort Madison) Linn (Largest city: Cedar Rapids) Story (Largest city: Ames)
By congressional district Branstad won all four congressional districts, including one held by a Democrat. District Branstad Hatch Representative 55.95% 40.98%Rod Blum 56.66% 39.85%Dave Loebsack 56.55% 38.79%David Young 67.25% 29.39%Steve King
References
External links Iowa gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia
Official campaign websites (Archived) Terry Branstad for Iowa Governor Paul Dahl for Iowa Governor Jack Hatch for Iowa Governor Tom Hoefling for Iowa Governor