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Who’s Running for Governor? Start Here.

Updated: May 24



Over the past few weeks, I’ve had a lot of people reach out and ask:


“Who’s running for governor?”…and just as often—“What do you think about the race?”“Who do you like?”


Fair questions.


But these are serious decisions, and they shouldn’t come down to a quick opinion, a headline, or a short clip.


That’s why I made a decision early on:


I wouldn’t do anything less than a full, long-form conversation.


No shortcuts. No surface-level talking points. Just real dialogue.


My goal isn’t to tell you what to think. It’s to give you the opportunity to hear directly from each candidate at their best.


The Interviews


  1. Eddie Andrews


It’s been almost a year since my last interview with Eddie Andrews, shortly after he announced he was running for governor, so this felt like the right time for an update.


This conversation focused heavily on leadership, electability, and the future direction of Iowa.

Eddie shared what it’s been like serving in the Iowa House while simultaneously running a statewide campaign for governor, along with the challenges of balancing public service, family, and campaigning across Iowa.

We discussed education reform, property taxes, clean water, parental rights, medical freedom, and the importance of restoring what he calls the “Iowa Model” in education.


One of the most interesting parts of the conversation centered around electability and the general election. Eddie made the case that Republicans need to think beyond the primary and “through the eyes of November” if they want to defeat Rob Sand and keep Iowa moving in a conservative direction.


We also discussed debate controversy, grassroots campaigning, and what it takes to connect with voters across different communities and backgrounds.



  1. Zach Lahn



This was one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on the podcast.

What started as a one-hour interview turned into a deep, wide-ranging discussion on some of the biggest issues facing Iowa—and the systems behind them. Zach doesn’t give surface-level answers. He digs into root causes: water quality, rising cancer concerns, the loss of family farms, and the long-term impact of current agricultural practices.


We also talked about property rights, corporate consolidation, parental rights and medical freedom, and what it will take to bring young people back to Iowa. He offers a different lens—focused on incentives, accountability, and long-term sustainability.



  1. Brad Sherman



This was a powerful and honest conversation about leadership, service, and conviction.

Brad shares his personal story, including the experiences that shaped his worldview and led him to step into this race. We covered faith, family, grassroots politics, and the growing divide between establishment leadership and everyday Iowans.

We also discussed medical freedom, emergency powers, constitutional guardrails, and property taxes, along with what it actually takes to run a statewide campaign. Brad brings a grounded, principled perspective and a clear sense of purpose.




  1. Adam Steen



Adam brings a deeply personal and values-driven perspective to this race.

In our conversation, he shared his journey from personal struggles to leadership, and how faith has shaped both his life and his approach to public service. We talked about education, property rights, government efficiency, and the need to reduce administrative bloat while empowering teachers and families.

We also discussed water quality, medical freedom, and his vision for a more accountable and effective state government. Adam consistently returns to faith, family, and community as the foundation for strong leadership in Iowa.



  1. What About Randy Feenstra?


I’ve also had people ask about Congressman Randy Feenstra.

His team has reached out, and I’ve shared the same thing with them that I have with every candidate:

I’m happy to sit down, but it needs to be a full, in-depth conversation.

No shortcuts.


If that happens, I’ll add it here.


What I’ve Taken Away

I’ve learned a lot from these conversations.


Each candidate brings something different to the table—different experiences, different ideas, and different approaches to leadership.


In a time where most political content is reduced to clips and talking points, these conversations offer something different: depth, context, and clarity.

If you’ve asked me about this race, this is where I would start.

Take a Look and Share


If you care about the future of Iowa, take the time to listen.

Watch one. Watch all four.


And if you find value in these conversations, share them with someone else.

The more informed we are, the better decisions we make.


Grateful for you being part of this.


Oliver Bardwell



 
 
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