Iowa Faces Tragic Year with Fallen Soldiers and Political Upheaval

Fallen Heroes Mark Iowa's Darkest Moment

The most devastating news of 2025 came in December when two Iowa National Guard soldiers were killed in Syria by a lone ISIS gunman while deployed in Palmyra. Staff Sgts. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, were shot and killed during what officials described as a counterterrorism mission.

The fallen soldiers returned to Iowa in an honorable transfer on Dec. 24 at the 132d Wing Airbase in Des Moines , bringing closure to families while highlighting the ongoing risks faced by Iowa's military personnel overseas. The tragedy underscored Iowa's continued commitment to national security operations even as families paid the ultimate price.

Beyond the battlefield, Gov. Kim Reynolds deployed the Iowa National Guard to assist with federal immigration enforcement in Iowa, responding to a request from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to provide ICE agents with help carrying out mass deportation orders . This deployment marked a significant shift in how Iowa's military resources were being utilized domestically.

Political Landscape Shifts Dramatically

Iowa's political establishment experienced seismic changes in 2025. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds announced in April she would not seek reelection in 2026, telling reporters "It's time to step back and pass that baton to the next person to step in" . This decision opened the gubernatorial race wide, with five Republicans announcing campaigns by the end of November, including Congressman Randy Feenstra .

The U.S. Senate race also transformed when Republican Joni Ernst announced in September she wouldn't run for a third term, citing her 2014 campaign pledge to serve no more than 12 years as a senator . President Trump quickly endorsed Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson's bid for the U.S. Senate , setting up what promises to be a competitive race.

Meanwhile, first-time Democratic candidate Catelin Drey broke the Republicans' supermajority in the Iowa Senate when she won a special election in western Iowa , demonstrating that political tides could shift even in traditionally Republican strongholds.

Education and Civil Rights Under Scrutiny

Iowa's education system faced unprecedented challenges in 2025. In September, Des Moines school superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested by federal immigration agents after a chase, with ICE claiming Roberts was born in Guyana, not the U.S., and that large parts of his resume and backstory were fiction . The scandal rocked the state's largest school district and raised questions about vetting processes.

In Des Moines, voters approved a large school bond measure, while one was narrowly defeated in Cedar Rapids, and several eastern Iowa communities voted to adopt a local sales tax . These local elections reflected ongoing debates about education funding and community investment priorities.

Civil rights also took center stage when Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that removed gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The law, which took effect July 1, ended state anti-discrimination protections for transgender people in housing, employment, public accommodations and more .

Looking Ahead to 2026

As Iowa enters 2026, the state faces significant transitions. Congress voted to eliminate federal funding for public media, including Iowa Public Radio and Iowa PBS, by defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting , threatening vital information sources for rural communities. Cedar Rapids won a state license for a casino in February and immediately broke ground, with the $275-million Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center due to open in December of 2026 .

The year ahead promises continued political upheaval as multiple competitive races unfold. With both the governor's mansion and a U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, Iowa voters will shape not just their state's future but potentially influence national political dynamics. The challenge will be maintaining stability while navigating these major transitions, all while honoring the sacrifice of those who served and continuing to address the practical needs of Iowa families.