Rick
Stewart
Libertarian candidate for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District (2026); former natural-foods entrepreneur and police officer
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Rick Stewart is the Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. Representative in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. He filed for the race on June 2, 2026, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's candidate list. The district is an open seat; incumbent Rep. Ashley Hinson chose to pursue a U.S. Senate bid instead. 1314
Stewart was born in Postville, Iowa, and grew up in Maquoketa. Before entering politics, he worked as a police officer in Maquoketa and later founded Frontier Cooperative Herbs, a natural-foods business he ran for 24 years before retiring in 1999. He graduated from Phillips Academy in 1969, earned a degree in agricultural mechanics from Kirkwood Community College, a BA from Coe College (1992), and an MBA from the University of Chicago (1994). He currently lives in Cedar Rapids. 381422
Stewart has sought public office multiple times without winning election. His documented campaigns include Linn County sheriff (2016), Iowa secretary of agriculture (2018), U.S. Senate (2020), and Iowa governor (2022), all as a Libertarian or Independent candidate. His policy platform in 2026 has included repealing the state income tax, eliminating welfare programs, and overhauling immigration policy. 314
No currently held elected office or other current employment is identified in the sources reviewed. His campaign is associated with the older website rickstewart.com, originally built for his 2022 gubernatorial run. 36
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Iowa
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- rickstewart.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8debateStewart excluded from Iowa PBS debate; did not return Des Moines Register candidate survey
Stewart and Bushaw again did not meet organizers' criteria and were excluded from the October 8 Iowa PBS debate. Separately, the Des Moines Register reported that Stewart did not return its candidate survey on Iran and tariffs.
Iowa's 2nd Congressional District debate draws focus to ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1debateStewart excluded from October 1 congressional debate; only James and Mitchell participate
Stewart and independent Dave Bushaw did not meet the organizers' criteria for the October 1 debate and did not participate. Only Democrat Lindsay James and Republican Joe Mitchell took part.
Iowa 2nd Congressional District candidates spar on ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 15newsStewart proposes land-value tax, universal basic income, and nuclear disarmament at Des Moines Register Political Soapbox
At the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox, Stewart proposed replacing the federal income tax with a land-value tax, replacing existing assistance programs with a universal basic income, and eliminating nuclear weapons globally.
smarter.vote · races · ia-house-02-2026Rick Stewart — 2026 Iowa's 2nd Congressional District ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 1newsDistrict judge rules for Stewart, allowing him to remain on the ballot
A challenge to Stewart's nomination papers argued a name discrepancy: the papers used 'Richard' while his affidavit used 'Rick.' A district judge ruled in Stewart's favor on August 1, and he remained on the ballot.
Iowa 2nd District Race 2026: Mitchell vs. James | The Stated ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2filingRick Stewart files as Libertarian candidate for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District
Iowa's Secretary of State candidate list records Stewart's filing date as June 2. He joins Republican Joe Mitchell, Democrat Lindsay James, and independent Dave Bushaw on the general-election ballot.
Iowa 2nd District Race 2026: Mitchell vs. James | The Stated ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 1newsRFK Jr. calls Stewart in June, urges him to leave the race
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then serving as HHS secretary, contacted Stewart and urged him to withdraw. Kennedy told Stewart 'I will be your advocate' but said he could not 'go into specifics because, you know, there's legal prohibitions about that.' Stewart remained a candidate. The precise date of the call is not established; it is reported as occurring in June. Secondary account also cites the AP.
How Some TOTAL Unknowns Could F*ck Up Republicans' Midterms · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] smarter.vote · races · ia-house-02-2026Rick Stewart — 2026 Iowa's 2nd Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Iowa's 2nd Congressional District debate draws focus to ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Voter Guide Profile for IA Governor candidate - Rick Stewart(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] How Some TOTAL Unknowns Could F*ck Up Republicans' Midterms(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] Iowa 2nd Congressional District candidates spar on ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [6] Iowa 2nd District Race 2026: Mitchell vs. James | The Stated ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [7] Libertarian wants to repeal income tax, welfare programs, immigration policy(opens in a new tab) Aug 16, 2026
- [8] Libertarian wants to repeal income tax, welfare programs ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 15, 2026
- [9] Rick Stewart floats auctioning off green cards during Register Political Soapbox(opens in a new tab) Aug 15, 2026