U.S. House · District 2 · Libertarian

Rick Stewart — 2026 Iowa candidate research

Libertarian candidate for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District and a previous Libertarian candidate for governor. A 2026 ballot objection concerning the name used on his filing was rejected, leaving him on the general-election ballot.

Rick Stewart — U.S. House · District 2 candidate — Myra Matejka / Rick Stewart, via Wikimedia Commons

Open the interactive Rick Stewart profile, media archive and heat-gauge reviews →

Public record and background

2026 Libertarian nominee in IA-02.
Previously ran statewide as the Libertarian candidate for governor.
Survived a June 2026 State Objection Panel challenge to his ballot name.

Campaign ads, attacks and response media reviewed

RFK Jr. call urging consideration of leaving IA-02 race

Sponsor: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. / White House-linked political outreach; later subject of Sen. Ron Wyden Hatch Act complaint · Date: June 11 / July 14, 2026

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called Libertarian IA-02 candidate Rick Stewart on June 11. A recording reviewed by The Washington Post and Associated Press shows Kennedy discussing the risk that Stewart could help Democrats win the seat, calling himself a White House “liaison,” suggesting Stewart could “make an agreement,” and offering to be his advocate. Sen. Ron Wyden later filed a Hatch Act complaint seeking an Office of Special Counsel investigation.

IA Fact Check assessment: Outreach documented; explicit quid pro quo and Hatch Act violation not adjudicated

The call itself is documented by a recording. Stewart said he understood Kennedy to be trying to get him out of the race and interpreted the exchange as an implied quid pro quo. But AP reported that Kennedy made no specific request and no specific offer to Stewart in the recording. Wyden’s July 14 filing alleges that Kennedy used his federal position to influence congressional elections and describes the exchange as an unlawful quid pro quo; that is an official complaint, not an adjudication. IA Fact Check did not locate an Office of Special Counsel ruling or court finding resolving the allegation. The record therefore supports that Kennedy used White House and official-duty references while discussing Stewart’s candidacy, but it does not establish a completed job-for-withdrawal bargain or a legally adjudicated Hatch Act violation.

Republican ballot challenge over candidate name

Sponsor: Republican Party objectors / State Objection Panel proceeding · Date: June 2026

A Republican-backed objection argued Stewart should not appear as “Rick Stewart” rather than his full legal name.

IA Fact Check assessment: Challenge rejected — Stewart remained on ballot

The State Objection Panel rejected the objection, concluding the commonly used shortened name would not confuse voters. The challenge is relevant election-process history, but it did not remove Stewart from the ballot.

Fairness note

This profile separates documented actions and quotations from campaign interpretation. Where an opponent uses a political label, the label is presented as advocacy rather than converted into a factual finding unless the underlying evidence supports the narrower claim.

Primary and supporting sources

Iowa Secretary of State — 2026 candidate list — Primary record — election
Iowa Public Radio — State Objection Panel keeps Rick Stewart on ballot — Independent reporting
Libertarian Party of Iowa — ballot challenge statement — Candidate/party
Washington Post — recorded Kennedy call with Rick Stewart and Iowa race outreach — Independent reporting / recorded call
Associated Press — Wyden Hatch Act complaint and Stewart recording review — Independent reporting / recording review
U.S. Senate Finance Committee — Wyden Hatch Act complaint announcement and letter — Primary source — official complaint/allegation
U.S. Office of Special Counsel — federal Hatch Act guidance — Primary legal/ethics guidance