Adam Steen running for Iowa Governor

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Adam Steen is running for Iowa Governor. Appointed by Governor Reynolds in 2021 to lead the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, he announced his candidacy for Governor this week and says he’s running as “the faith guy.” But what does that mean?

Steen left no room for confusion. He explains why his faith matters to him, and explains how it would impact his Governing decisions. He explains his views on life beginning at conception, and he explains his belief in property rights as they relate to Carbon pipelines.

Navigating Cultural Flashpoints and Constitutional Boundaries

During his tenure, Steen had a few run-ins with cultural flashpoints of our day including denying requests for a Satanist display and a drag show at the Capitol Building. Were those decisions motivated by his faith?

Steen emphasized that both decisions were rooted not in ideology but administrative code: “I determined that the event… would be harmful to minors, hence the denial.” He reiterated that policies existed to preserve order and protect free speech, provided participants followed established protocols.

Steen also clarified his position on governance as it intersects with hot-button issues like abortion and trans rights. His position is unequivocal: “Life begins at conception… that’s a worldview perspective for me,” he said. He also discussed his support for the state legislature’s recent actions restricting gender-affirming care and redefining sex-based rights. Despite potential controversy, Steen stressed the importance of clarity: “There doesn’t need to be any secrets. At the end of the day… the truth is always quicker”.

Steen described a current example, citing a college dorm for women. A biological man, identifying as a woman, had requested to be in the dorm with three women, but the women were uncomfortable. Steen asserts that if the biological man was allowed in the dorm, his rights would somehow supersede the three women’s rights—in his view that’s wrong.

Economic Philosophy: Subsidies, Eminent Domain, and Property Rights

Steen also discussed his economic positions, particularly regarding wind energy, ethanol subsidies, and the contentious pipeline eminent domain debates. Steen identifies as a capitalist first: “I’m a free market guy at heart,” he said. “If you’re relying on a subsidy… you’re relying far too heavily on the taxpayer.” While not categorically against all subsidies, Steen favors reducing reliance on them through innovation and partnerships.

While it may sound like his position is in direct conflict with his former boss, Governor Reynolds, he asserts he agreed with her actions, explaining the issue was more complicated than most people let on.

On the issue of eminent domain, Steen straddled support for Governor Reynolds’ past veto while reaffirming his own stance on property rights.

In June Reynolds vetoed legislation (HF639) that would have restricted the use of eminent domain for carbon-capture pipelines and imposed increased regulatory requirements.

Steen sides with Reynolds on the decision, but he made his position on carbon pipelines and eminent domain crystal clear.

“ If the legislature brought to me a bill that said, very clearly, ‘we are going to protect private property owners from private, economic development use of imminent domain,’” he said, “I would sign that quicker than I jumped into this race.”

Health, Environment, and the Importance of Facts

Touching on environmental and health concerns, Steen hesitated to stake firm positions without more data. On the glyphosate shield law, Steen said, “I’m not an Oracle. I don’t know everything… I make decisions based upon facts.” He applied the same philosophy to Iowa’s nitrate-contaminated water issue, expressing personal stakes—his father died from kidney cancer—and emphasizing the need for clear causation before implementing policy.

“My dad, three years ago, died of cancer. He was healthy. He walked every single day, and he ended up with what I believe is called clear cell kidney cancer.” Steen said. “It’s very important to me to understand this cancer issue that we’ve got in the state. Not just to honor my father, but I’ve got two boys and I have a wife and I’ve got family and I’ve got friends. And so it’s absolutely critically important to figure out what the truth is.”

Closing Message and Candidacy Pitch

Wrapping the interview, Steen gave a clear summary of his campaign ethos: “I am running to preserve Iowa’s freedoms and protect Iowa’s future.” Citing his experience in both state government and the private sector, Steen positioned himself as ready on day one. His campaign, he insists, is about principled leadership—not political calculation.