Iowa Counties Set Contested Races for November
Several Iowa counties will hold contested local races on November 3, 2026, with many other county contests unopposed.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Contested county races are on the ballot in several Iowa counties on November 3, 2026. Many other county races on the ballot are unopposed.
Why it matters
County supervisors and attorneys make decisions on local budgets, roads and public services, so these races shape day-to-day governance across the state. Voters in counties with contests will have a choice that unopposed races do not offer.
Pottawattamie County has five candidates competing for three open Board of Supervisors positions on November 3, 2026. Shelby County has one Supervisor seat on the ballot, and the full count of contested races statewide was not provided.
The players
Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors
The five-member county governing board oversees county budgets, roads and services for the Council Bluffs area.
Ryan Benn
Benn is a Republican candidate for Adair County Attorney in the 2026 election.
Michael D. Maynes
Maynes is a Democratic candidate for Adair County Attorney in the 2026 election.
The details
In Adair County, Republican Ryan Benn and Democrat Michael D. Maynes are running for County Attorney. In Adams and Montgomery counties, Supervisor District 4 races feature Republican Leland Shipley against Juli Cooper and Republican Dwayne Adams against Democrat Jan Norris, respectively.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Contested county races are decided on voting day.
Season Trajectory
County supervisor races in Iowa are held on the same November ballot as statewide contests, so local results shape county governance for the terms that follow. Contested races in a given county signal whether local seats will change hands or remain with incumbents.
Voters in Adair, Adams, Montgomery, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will choose local officials on November 3, 2026. Residents in counties without contested races will have no choice on those seats.
The takeaway
Local supervisor and county attorney races often receive less attention than statewide contests but directly determine county spending and services. Checking your county's candidate list before November 3 helps you know who is on your ballot.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections coverage across Iowa's county races.
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