The 2018 Iowa Secretary of Agriculture election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa, concurrently with elections to the United States House of Representatives, governor, and other state and local elections. Primary elections were held on June 5, 2018.

Incumbent Republican secretary Bill Northey resigned in March 2018 after his confirmation by the United States Senate as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation. Mike Naig was appointed to the seat after Northey's resignation by Governor Kim Reynolds. Naig won a full term against Democratic nominee Tim Gannon in the general election.

Republican primary As no candidate received over 35% of the vote, the Iowa Republican Party was required to hold a convention to choose a nominee. Mike Naig was chosen as the nominee and had received just shy of the 35% of the vote needed in the primary. Candidates Nominee Mike Naig, acting Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa (2018–present) and former deputy secretary of agriculture (2013–2018)

Defeated Chad Ingels, farmer and former member of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission Ray Gaesser, farmer and former chairman of the American Soybean Association Craig Lang, former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Dan Zumbach, state senator from the 48th district (2013–present)

Declined Pat Grassley, state representative from the 50th district (2013–present), 17th district (2007–2013), and grandson of Chuck Grassley (ran for re-election)

Endorsements

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Tim Gannon, Jasper County farmer and former United States Department of Agriculture official

Results

General election Post-primary endorsements

Results

By congressional district Despite losing the state, Gannon won three of four congressional districts.https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=834955 District Naig Gannon Representative 48% 49%Rod Blum (115th Congress)Abby Finkenauer (116th Congress) 47% 50%Dave Loebsack 48% 49%David Young (115th Congress)Cindy Axne (116th Congress) 60% 37%Steve King

References