Zach Lahn

Opposes increases in Iowa's sales, income and property taxes and has said eliminating the state income tax should be a long-term goal. Proposes reducing taxes through government savings, offering housing-related tax rebates to young Iowans and increasing taxes on institutional property owners. Also proposes ending economic-development incentives for out-of-state and foreign corporations.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign policy page · Lahn and Sand tax positions reported by Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

Supports continuing education savings accounts for private-school expenses, and proposes expanding alternative school models. Proposes "innovation zones" giving educators and administrators more flexibility, reducing standardized testing, increasing the share of Iowa residents admitted to Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, and revoking teaching licenses for what he describes as political indoctrination.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign policy page · July 10 Iowa PBS interview · Iowa Public Radio coverage of the Republican candidate forum

Has said Iowa should maintain a reliable Medicaid delivery system, provide dependable care and ensure prompt payment to providers. He has said concerns he previously raised about Medicaid expansion were largely addressed by federal changes. No detailed proposal changing Iowa's current Medicaid administration has been published.

Source: July 10 Iowa PBS interview

Proposes independent state testing of products used in Iowa, incentives for farmers to reduce runoff, antitrust action against large agricultural-input companies and redirecting university research toward cancer and agricultural problems. He opposes legal immunity for chemical manufacturers and the use of eminent domain for private projects. Sets a goal of creating 10,000 new family farms, and proposes restricting foreign and out-of-state ownership of agricultural land, creating pathways and incentives for young farmers to obtain land, seeking to have 80% of food served in Iowa public schools grown in Iowa, and supporting alternatives to chemical weed and pest control, including electrical and ultraviolet technology.

Sources: Zach Lahn campaign policy page · July 10 Iowa PBS interview · CBS2 coverage of Lahn's cancer proposals · Guardian comparison of the candidates' cancer and water proposals

Proposes banning Wall Street hedge funds from buying single-family homes, increasing property taxes on institutional investors and providing tax rebates or down-payment assistance to young Iowans who stay in or return to Iowa. He also proposes selling land found to be illegally owned by China to young families and veterans.

Source: Zach Lahn campaign policy page

Supports a temporary moratorium while the state establishes minimum rules. He says counties should retain permitting authority and data centers should receive no property-tax abatements, pay their own costs and comply with environmental protections. He has also proposed taxing large data centers at five times the normal property-tax rate.

Sources: July 10 Iowa PBS interview · Iowa Capital Dispatch coverage of Lahn's data-center proposals · Radio Iowa interview on local permitting and incentives · Gray Media report on Lahn's proposed moratorium

Says life should be legally protected from conception to natural death. His campaign also says transgender surgeries and related drugs should not be allowed in Iowa, but no detailed proposal defining the age or scope of that policy was located. He proposes denying state benefits to undocumented immigrants and preventing state government and universities from using H-1B workers for jobs he says Iowans can perform. The available platform does not describe particular exceptions or enforcement mechanisms for these positions.

Sources: Radio Iowa report on Lahn's conception position · Zach Lahn campaign policy page · July 10 Iowa PBS interview

Supports further limiting the governor's emergency powers and transferring more authority to counties and municipalities, and opposes additional centralization of state authority over local governments. He says Iowa should challenge federal regulations in court when he believes agencies have exceeded their authority. He also says state contracts should prioritize Iowa companies and workers.

Source: July 10 Iowa PBS interview