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Thomas Laehn

Libertarian candidate for United States Senator, Iowa · Open seat

Greene County Attorney (prosecutor); former university political science professor

Thomas Laehn, of Jefferson, is the Libertarian Party nominee for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat, which Republican Sen. Joni Ernst is leaving. He won the nomination at the Libertarian Party convention in May 2026 and faces Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek on November 3. He has been Greene County Attorney since 2018 and was the first Libertarian elected to a partisan office in Iowa.

Where Laehn stands

Cost of living / war in Iran

Says inflation is the most pressing issue for Iowa families. Calls the war in Iran unconstitutional because Congress never declared it, and says he would vote to cut off funding for any war Congress has not expressly authorized.

Tariffs and trade

Supports legislation returning tariff authority to Congress, citing Article I, Section 8. Says President Trump's tariffs have hurt the economy and farmers, and that farmers need market access rather than federal bailouts.

Relationship with President Trump

Argues that presidents of both parties have taken too much power. Criticizes President Trump's tariffs and starting military action against Iran without a congressional declaration of war.

Federal spending

Proposes eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and cutting military spending. Argues education policy should go back to the states and the U.S. should shrink its military presence overseas.

Agriculture and biofuels

Would end federal tax incentives for carbon dioxide sequestration and for producing low-carbon fuels. Says farmers need affordable inputs such as potash, nitrogen and diesel.

Eminent domain / property rights

Pledges to introduce legislation under Section 5 of the 14th Amendment banning eminent domain except for a bona fide public use. Opposes the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline.

Drug policy

Supports decriminalizing marijuana and says each state should set its own drug laws, arguing federal drug law goes beyond federal authority.

Campaign finance and the two-party system

Supports campaign finance reform. Argues the two-party system has concentrated power in wealthy donors, corporations and party organizations at voters' expense.

Veterans

Says veterans' policy is a priority, including ending the Iran war and expanding veterans' access to medical care.

Background

• Greene County Attorney, 2019–present (elected 2018, re-elected 2022); first Libertarian elected to a partisan office in Iowa
• University political science professor for four years
• J.D., University of Iowa College of Law
• Grew up in Allison, Iowa; lives in Jefferson
• Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate, nominated at the May 2026 party convention

In the news

• Meet Libertarian candidate for Iowa’s open senate seat, Thomas Laehn WHO 13, October 14, 2026
• Beyond the Podium: Thomas Laehn talks immigration, Iran war and decriminalizing marijuana CBS2 Iowa (Iowa's News Now), October 13, 2026
• Thomas Laehn challenges two-party system in Iowa Senate race The Gazette, October 9, 2026
• Meet U.S. Senate candidate Thomas Laehn Iowa State Daily, September 28, 2026
• Meet U.S. Senate candidate Thomas Laehn N'West Iowa REVIEW (The Sentinel), September 23, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

• Ashley Hinson Republican
• Josh Turek Democratic

Sources

• FEC candidate page S6IA00181
• The Gazette candidate questionnaire
• The Gazette profile
• Iowa Capital Dispatch, State Fair Soapbox
• CBS2 Iowa interview
• WHO 13 profile
• Iowa State Daily profile
• Wikipedia: Libertarian Party of Iowa

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.