The 1994 Iowa gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Republican Governor Terry Branstad narrowly defeated a primary challenger by 11,419 votes. On the Democratic side, State Attorney General Bonnie Campbell won her party's nomination. Branstad ultimately won re-election to a fourth term as governor, defeating Campbell in a landslide. This was the last time until 2010 that a Republican was elected Governor of Iowa, when Branstad defeated incumbent Democrat Chet Culver.
Republican primary Candidates Terry Branstad, incumbent Governor of Iowa Fred Grandy, U.S. Representative from Sioux City and former actor
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Bonnie Campbell, Attorney General of Iowa Darold Powers Bill Reichardt, former State Senator from Iowa City and former Green Bay Packers football player
Results
General election Governor Terry Branstad made reinstatement of the death penalty a central focus of his 1994 re-election campaign; however, despite successfully being re-elected, he was unable to implement this policy due to opposition from Democrats in the Iowa State Senate.
Polling Source Date Branstad (R) Campbell (D) Des Moines Register Nov. 7, 1994 47% 34% KCCI-TV Nov. 4, 1994 47% 43% Cedar Rapids Gazette Oct. 23, 1994 45% 43% Des Moines Register Oct. 7, 1994 45% 41%
Debate + 1994 Iowa gubernatorial election debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Terry Branstad Bonnie Campbell1 Oct. 6, 1994 WHO-TV C-SPAN
Results
See also United States gubernatorial elections, 1994 State of Iowa Governors of Iowa
References