Zach Lahn Wins the Republican Nomination for Governor
- Oliver Bardwell
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with several candidates running for governor of Iowa for long-form conversations on The Oliver Bardwell Podcast.
Each brought something different to the table. Different experiences. Different priorities. Different visions for Iowa.
Now the primary is over, and Zach Lahn has emerged as the Republican nominee for Governor of Iowa.
Congratulations to Zach and his team on a hard-fought campaign.
When I sat down with Zach earlier in the race, what was originally scheduled as a one-hour interview turned into nearly two hours of conversation about the deeper challenges facing Iowa — and the systems driving many of them.
That conversation stood apart because Zach consistently focused less on political talking points and more on root causes of the challenges facing his fellow Iowans.
Built to Challenge the System
One of Zach’s campaign slogans was “Built to Challenge the System.”
After spending time with him in conversation, it became clear that this wasn’t simply branding.
Whether discussing water quality, cancer concerns, education, agriculture, property rights, or economic incentives, Zach repeatedly returned to the idea that many of Iowa’s current problems are systemic — and that solving them requires more than surface-level politics.
“Something is wrong in Iowa.”
That wasn’t said as a slogan or a cheap line for applause.
It was the foundation for much of the discussion.
Water, Cancer, and Public Trust
One of the strongest sections of our interview centered around water quality and the growing concern many Iowans have about rising cancer rates.
Regardless of where people land politically, more and more families across Iowa are asking difficult questions about public health, environmental stewardship, and long-term accountability.
Zach spoke openly about the importance of restoring public trust and being willing to confront uncomfortable conversations instead of avoiding them.
People expect clean water.They expect transparency.And they expect leadership willing to ask hard questions.
Family Farms, Property Rights, and the Future of Rural Iowa
We also discussed the growing consolidation of agriculture, property rights concerns, and the challenges facing family farms and rural communities.
These are not abstract policy debates.
They affect:
small towns
local economies
land ownership
young families
and the long-term identity of Iowa itself.
One thing I appreciated was Zach’s willingness to talk about incentives, systems, and unintended consequences rather than reducing every issue to partisan slogans.
Education and the Future of Iowa
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation centered around education — not just policy, but the deeper question of how we prepare the next generation for life, leadership, and meaningful contribution.
Zach spoke about Wonder, the learner-driven school he helped launch, and his belief that education should cultivate curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving rather than simply moving students through standardized systems.
We discussed the decline of the "Iowa Model" in education, parental rights, school choice, classroom culture, and the growing concern many families have about ideology replacing excellence.
What stood out to me was Zach's conviction that education should help young people discover their strengths, take ownership of their learning, and develop into leaders, creators, innovators, and problem-solvers prepared for the challenges ahead.
At the heart of that conversation was a larger question:
What kind of young men and women are we preparing for the future of Iowa?
Throughout much of the interview, the conversation moved beyond campaign talking points and into broader questions about culture, leadership, incentives, and the long-term direction of the state.
Dialogue, Leadership, and Community
Beyond the podcast interview, Zach also joined my Kairos Nexus group for an in-depth discussion with more than 20 conservative business owners and community leaders from across central Iowa.
What I appreciated most was his willingness to engage in real dialogue — answering questions directly, discussing difficult issues honestly, and spending time listening as much as speaking.
In a political environment increasingly driven by short clips and social media outrage, those kinds of conversations matter even more.
Leadership is not only about delivering speeches. It’s about engaging people thoughtfully, being willing to wrestle with difficult questions, and building trust through dialogue and accountability.
The Primary Is Over. The Stakes Are Not.
Iowa has led the nation on issues like parental rights, medical freedom, education reform, protecting women’s spaces, and standing against divisive ideology. Many conservatives and freedom-minded Iowans believe those gains are worth protecting.
Regardless of where people landed during the gubernatorial primary, unity matters moving forward.
Watch the Full Interview
If you haven’t watched the interview yet, I’d encourage you to take the time.
Long-form conversations matter.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE:
And stay tuned for Part 2.
— Oliver Bardwell
Iowans for Freedom & The Oliver Bardwell Podcast