MUSCATINE, IOWA (January 26, 2026) — Taylor Wettach, a seventh-generation Iowan and trade and national-security attorney from Muscatine, announced his candidacy for Iowa State Auditor, pledging to protect tax-payers through accountability, transparency, and independent oversight — and by stopping waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
Taylor enters the race as Governor Kim Reynolds has moved to weaken the independence and authority of the State Auditor’s office — and as Reynolds anoints Lieutenant Gov Chris Cournoyer, a key supporter of those efforts, to take control of Iowa’s top tax-payer watchdog.
“I’m running because public office should be about service and responsibility — not power and self-protection,” said Wettach.
“The State Auditor is supposed to serve as an independent watchdog for the people, regardless of who is in power — not a lapdog for corrupt politicians. I’m running to protect tax-payers, not politicians, and to make sure Iowa has an auditor who tells the truth, follows the money, and stands up to power.”
Growing up in Muscatine, Taylor was raised in a family where public service was a way of life. His mom was a preschool teacher who believed every child deserves a strong start. His dad was a family doctor who cared for entire communities, no matter who they were or how they voted. Taylor learned from a young age that faith calls us to responsibility, and that real strength comes from service, not power; from fairness, not favoritism; and from community, not greed.
Those values led Taylor to a career as a trade and national security attorney, working on complex legal and policy issues at the intersection of business and government. When Donald Trump targeted Taylor’s former law firm in an attempt to block legal challenges to his administration, the firm cut a deal to support Trump Administration priorities. Taylor refused to compromise his values and be complicit in this abuse of power by the Administration — so he quit.
As an attorney, Taylor’s job was to analyze complex records, evaluate evidence, and produce fact-based findings that could withstand legal scrutiny — exactly what the State Auditor is meant to do on behalf of Iowa tax-payers. He understands that audits and investigations must be built to hold up in court, not bend to politics, so misuse of tax-payer dollars leads to real accountability and consequences — no matter who is responsible.
“Accountability only works if someone is willing to enforce it,” Wettach said.
“I was raised to believe that when something is wrong, you don’t look the other way — you step up and do something about it.”
Tom Vilsack, former Iowa Governor and US Secretary of Agriculture, underscored the importance of independent oversight.
“Having served as a Mayor, Governor, and Secretary of Agriculture, I know how essential independent oversight is to good government,” said Gov Vilsack.
“Iowans work hard for every dollar they send to the government, and they deserve to know those dollars are being spent honestly, responsibly, and in the public interest. The State Auditor plays a critical role in safeguarding that trust, and Taylor Wettach has the integrity, experience, and commitment to stewardship that the office demands.”
Tom Miller, former Iowa Attorney General, emphasized why Taylor’s legal background uniquely prepares him for the role.
“I spent decades as Attorney General relying on the work of auditors who knew how to evaluate evidence and build investigations that could stand up in court,” said Miller. “Taylor Wettach understands that accountability isn’t about press releases or politics — it’s about facts, records, and the law. His strong experience as a lawyer gives him the grounding a State Auditor needs to protect tax-payers and ensure public dollars are spent honestly, responsibly, and in the public interest.”
Rita Hart, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, praised Wettach’s decision to run.
"I have gotten to know Taylor Wettach over the last year and have been impressed with his integrity, work ethic, and commitment to public service," said Rita Hart.
"Iowans have seen the importance of the Auditor's office the last eight years. At a time when accountability and transparency are under attack, Iowa needs a State Auditor who will put tax-payers first and refuse to let politicians operate without oversight. I am excited Taylor will be part of the strongest Democratic ticket in a generation — a new generation of leaders that will work for Iowans, not insiders."
Under current State Auditor Rob Sand, Iowa has seen historic results — uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse; saving tax-payers millions of dollars; and holding both Democratic and Republican officials accountable. Rather than fixing the problems exposed, Gov Kim Reynolds and Lt Gov Chris Cournoyer have worked overtime to limit what and how the State Auditor can investigate, weakening one of the state’s most important checks on government power and spending.
“Rob Sand was doing the kind of independent oversight that the office is supposed to do,” said Wettach.
“When politicians try to muzzle the watchdog, it usually means they have something to hide and they don’t want tax-payers asking questions.”
As families across Iowa face rising costs for health-care, housing, utilities, food, and child-care, Taylor says accountability matters more than ever.
“When Iowans are tightening their belts, the last thing they should have to worry about is whether their tax dollars are being wasted or misused,” said Wettach.
“Instead of making life better for Iowans, some politicians in Des Moines are rigging the system to protect themselves instead of protecting tax-payers. Corruption isn’t then an accident — it’s the predictable result of unchecked power — and that should alarm every Iowan, regardless of party.”
Wettach emphasized that the race is not partisan.
”Accountability isn’t a Democratic value or a Republican value — it’s an Iowa value,” said Wettach.
“This race isn’t about left versus right — it’s about right versus wrong, and whether the government works for Iowans or protects the powerful.”
About Taylor Wettach
Taylor Wettach is a seventh-generation Iowan from Muscatine. Growing up, Taylor learned the importance of serving his community, a commitment that led to a career as a trade and national-security lawyer. Taylor spent his career negotiating with major corporations and the federal government, and also advising senior government officials, on some of the toughest legal and policy issues facing our country.
Following his reelection, Donald Trump targeted Taylor’s law firm in an attempt to block legal challenges to his Administration, and the firm cut a deal to do $125 million worth of legal work in support of Trump Administration priorities. Taylor wasn’t raised to look the other way when something is wrong, and refused to compromise his values and be complicit in this abuse of power by the Administration — so he quit. Taylor is running for State Auditor to serve as an independent watchdog who tells the truth, follows the money, and stands up for tax-payers — no matter who’s in power.
