Ryan Peterman (R)
Ryan Peterman is a former Naval Officer, helicopter pilot, and national security advisor who is running for Secretary of State to help protect our democracy and restore trust in our elections. Raised in Bettendorf in a family of teachers, veterans, and small business owners, Ryan learned early on that public service is a duty rooted in integrity and humility. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, he spent over a decade in uniform – leading sailors overseas, working on defense policy in the U.S. Senate, and mentoring future officers at the Naval Academy with a focus on honor, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Now back home in Iowa, Ryan has met with election officials across the state and seen firsthand the dedication and professionalism it takes to keep our elections running smoothly. He’s running for Secretary of State to be a trusted partner to those officials – and to ensure that every eligible Iowan can cast a ballot freely and confidently. Ryan believes in a nonpartisan approach to election administration that puts voters first, keeps our elections free, fair, safe, and secure, and strengthens the foundation of our democracy for generations to come.
Paul Pate (R)
In 2017, Paul Pate backed the Election Integrity Act, which introduced strict voter ID requirements. Despite acknowledging that Iowa had not experienced widespread voter fraud, he pushed for measures that could disenfranchise voters, particularly those from marginalized communities.
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, Pate directed county auditors to challenge the eligibility of over 2,000 registered voters suspected of being noncitizens. This directive was based on outdated data from the Iowa Department of Transportation, raising concerns about the accuracy of the list and the potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters.
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, filed lawsuits arguing that Pate’s actions could prevent lawful voters from casting their ballots. While Pate asserts that his initiatives aim to protect election integrity, his policies have created unnecessary barriers to voting, particularly for naturalized citizens and minority communities.