Every Office. What They Do. Who's Running.
You've heard the names. Now let's make sure you know what every elected position does. This November, Black Hawk County voters will decide who fills every level of government that touches daily life in Iowa — from the Governor's office to the County Recorder. Each of these roles carries real power: setting your property taxes, deciding how your tax dollars are spent, protecting (or weakening) your right to vote, and determining whether Iowa's water, workers, and pensions are defended or left exposed.
This ballot doesn't just fill seats. It sets the direction of Iowa for years to come — and every single race is winnable if Democrats show up. Below, you'll find a breakdown of what each office actually does, followed by the Democratic candidates running to hold it.
We have 11 seats to flip and 11 seats to defend. Know the power. Know your ballot. Then go vote like it matters — because it does.
Governor
Iowa's chief executive, responsible for running state government day to day, proposing and signing or vetoing the state budget and legislation, and appointing agency leaders and judges. You're electing this person to set the overall direction and priorities for the entire state for the next four years.
Our Candidate: Rob Sand
Current: Kim Reynolds, Republican, FLIP
Attorney General
Iowa's chief legal officer, representing the state in court, defending or challenging state laws, and enforcing consumer protection, criminal, and civil rights laws on Iowans' behalf. You're electing this person to decide what legal fights the state takes on and how aggressively it protects consumers, workers, and crime victims.
Our Candidate: Nate Willems
Current: Brenna Bird, Republican, FLIP
Secretary of State
Iowa's chief elections officer, overseeing how elections are run statewide, setting rules for voter registration and ballot access, and maintaining certain business records. You're electing this person to decide how easy or hard it is for Iowans to register and vote.
Our Candidate: Ryan Peterman
Current: Paul Pate, Republican, FLIP
State Auditor
Iowa's independent taxpayer watchdog, auditing state agencies, local governments, and school districts to catch waste, fraud, and misuse of public money. You're electing this person to be the primary check on how state and local government actually spends tax dollars.
Our Candidate: Taylor Wettach
Current: Rob Sand (running for Governor), Democrat, DEFEND
State Treasurer
Iowa's chief financial officer and banker, managing the state's cash and investments, safeguarding public pension assets like IPERS, and administering programs like the state's college savings plan. You're electing this person to decide how carefully and transparently Iowa's money is managed.
Our Candidate: John Norwood
Current: Roby Smith, Republican, FLIP
Secretary of Agriculture
Leads the state agency overseeing farming, food safety, and water and soil conservation, and sets policy on issues like pesticide regulation and livestock operations. You're electing this person to decide how Iowa balances large agribusiness against family farmers, rural communities, and the state's water quality.
Our Candidate: Chris Jones
Current: Mike Naig, Republican, FLIP
U.S. Senator
Represents all of Iowa in the U.S. Senate, voting on federal legislation, confirming presidential nominees including judges and cabinet officials, and ratifying treaties. You're electing this person to be one of Iowa's two voices shaping national policy for a six-year term.
Our Candidate: Josh Turek
Current: Joni Ernst (retiring), Republican, FLIP
U.S. House Representative
Represents one specific Congressional district in the U.S. House, voting on federal legislation and the federal budget and serving as a direct advocate for that district in Washington. You're electing this person to represent your specific corner of Iowa for a two-year term.
Our Candidate: Lindsay James (District 2)
Current: Ashley Hinson (running for Senate), Republican, FLIP
County Attorney
Black Hawk County's chief prosecutor, responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, representing the county in civil legal matters, and overseeing programs like victim assistance and specialty courts. You're electing this person to decide how criminal justice is actually administered here at home.
Our Candidate: Brian Williams
Current: Brian Williams, Democrat, DEFEND
County Recorder
Maintains the county's official public records, including property deeds, marriage licenses, military discharge papers, and, in many counties, passport processing. You're electing this person to ensure these essential records stay accurate, accessible, and properly maintained.
Our Candidate: Sandie Smith
Current: Sandie Smith, Democrat, DEFEND
County Supervisor
Serves on the county's governing board, setting the county budget, property tax levies, and local policy on roads, public health, and county services. You're electing this person to make the day-to-day governing decisions that most directly affect life in Black Hawk County.
Our 5 Candidates: Will Overstreet (District 1), Bill Dotzler (District 2), Kamyar Enshayan (District 3), Tavis Hall (District 4), Casey Schotter (District 5)
Current: 4 Democrats (DEFEND), 1 Republican (FLIP) (New District Seats)
Iowa Senate
Represents one specific state legislative district in the Iowa Senate, voting on state laws and the state budget alongside a four-year term that's twice as long as a House seat's. You're electing this person to be one of your two direct voices in the Iowa Legislature's upper chamber.
Our Candidate: Timi Brown-Powers (District 31)
Current: Bill Dotzler, Democrat (running for County Supervisor), DEFEND
Iowa House Representative
Represents one specific state legislative district in the Iowa House, voting on state laws and the state budget covering everything from education funding to health care to taxes. You're electing this person to be your direct voice in shaping Iowa law at the Statehouse.
Our 6 Candidates: Drew Stensland (District 75), Calvin Horn (District 76), Scott Bodley (District 68), Jerome Amos (District 62), Vincent Collis (District 61), Leila Staton (District 54)
Current: Bob Kressig (D), Derek Wulf (R), Chad Ingels (R), Jerome Amos (D), Timi Brown-Powers (D), Josh Meggers (R) - 3 FLIP, 3 DEFEND