John Norwood
John Norwood (Democratic Party) is running for election for Iowa Treasurer of State. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. He advanced from the Democratic primary on June 2, 2026.
Norwood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
John Norwood was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a high school diploma from Wayland High School, a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1987, and a graduate degree from the Yale School of Management in 1993. Norwood also earned a graduate degree from the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 1993.[1] His career experience includes working in business management.[2]
Elections
2026
See also: Iowa Treasurer election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Iowa Treasurer of State
Incumbent Roby Smith (R) and John Norwood (D) are running in the general election for Iowa Treasurer of State on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Roby Smith (R) | |
 | John Norwood (D)  | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Iowa Treasurer of State
John Norwood (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Iowa Treasurer of State on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Norwood | 100.0 | 175,974 |
| Total votes: 175,974 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
Republican primary for Iowa Treasurer of State
Incumbent Roby Smith (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Iowa Treasurer of State on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Roby Smith | 100.0 | 174,958 |
| Total votes: 174,958 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
Endorsements
John Norwood received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
2022
See also: Iowa Agriculture Commissioner election, 2022
General election
General election for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Incumbent Mike Naig defeated John Norwood in the general election for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mike Naig (R) | 61.1 | 730,285 |
| John Norwood (D) | 38.8 | 463,652 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 770 | ||
| Total votes: 1,194,707 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
John Norwood advanced from the Democratic primary for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Norwood | 99.8 | 139,730 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 348 | ||
| Total votes: 140,078 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Incumbent Mike Naig advanced from the Republican primary for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Naig | 99.7 | 171,646 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 508 | ||
| Total votes: 172,154 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Norwood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Norwood's responses.
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financial leader. I have lived in West Des Moines for more than 21 years, where my two children graduated from West Des Moines Valley High School.
I have a B.A. from Williams College and both an MBA in Finance and a Masters of Environmental Management from Yale University. I’m a long-standing local member of the CFA Society of Iowa, reflecting my commitment to ethical, disciplined financial stewardship.
In 2018, I was elected Soil and Water Commissioner for Polk County. For more than 30 years, I have helped business leaders, municipalities, agricultural cooperatives, state water agencies, and nonprofit organizations make better financial decisions, manage risk, and plan for the long term. I see myself as an independent thinker and “bridge builder” to get things done across the aisle. I also have over 20 years of board service.
Since 2019, I have served as a Business Advisor with the
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, coaching founders and CEOs across Iowa on growth, performance improvement, and long-term strategy.- 1. Financial Transparency & Accountability Iowa is facing a $1.2+ billion structural budget deficit due to poor taxing and spending decisions. As State Treasurer, I will serve as an independent, pragmatic voice focused on transparency and fiscal responsibility. I will clearly communicate how state dollars are raised and spent, call out unsound budgeting decisions, and work to protect Iowa’s AAA bond rating. The Treasurer’s office should not be red or blue—it should be about dollars and cents. I will ensure taxpayer dollars are managed wisely and that Iowans have a clear understanding of their state’s financial position.
- 2. Protect and Strengthen IPERS IPERS is a $45+ billion, largely self-funded retirement system supporting over 420,000 Iowans and returning $2.5 billion annually to local economies. As Treasurer and a member of the IPERS Board, I will act as a fiduciary to protect and strengthen this system. I oppose efforts to privatize or weaken IPERS, including proposals that would reduce participation and undermine long-term stability. I will hold management accountable, ensure transparency, and work with policymakers to maintain a strong membership base and sustainable funding structure for current and future retirees.
- 3. Address Affordability & Expand Opportunity The Treasurer’s office can play a larger role in helping Iowans build financial security. I will work to expand programs that support education savings, retirement planning, homeownership, trade skills, and small business growth and acquisition. By partnering with community banks and financial institutions, we can improve access to capital and practical financial tools. Strong families, good jobs, and thriving local businesses go hand in hand. My goal is to ensure the Treasurer’s office helps Iowans not just manage today’s costs, but build long-term financial stability and opportunity.
Government should be transparent, accountable, and focused on protecting taxpayers’ dollars, with sustainable budgets that safeguard Iowa’s long-term financial health. I am committed to protecting IPERS, which serves over 420,000 Iowans and supports our local economies.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2022
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released February 1, 2022 |
John Norwood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Norwood's responses.
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“As Secretary, I will protect urban and rural consumers, expand economic opportunities around diversified food and agriculture production, and advocate for the needs of ALL food, grain and livestock producers. At the county level, at the statehouse, in Washington, D.C. and with international partners around the world. Priority #1 is to create a sustainable Iowa that is built to last – including strengthening the resiliency of our 20+ million acres of corn and beans. Healthy Soils, Clean Air, safe drinking water, abundant grazing, connected habitat.”
As a business advisor, small business owner, and board director, Norwood recognizes the importance of good governance, thorough planning, efficient operations, and garnering sufficient resources to do the job well. He travels the state regularly to work with business owners in agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and related industries.
As a Polk County Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner he uses his keen listening skills, as an opportunity to add local perspectives into a balanced vision for the future that includes the wise use of state and federal infrastructure dollars to build a resilient, enduring Iowa for the ages. Norwood’s core values include authentic inquiry, rationality, humility, patience, and faith.- Vision to Align Parties Around Strategies and Actions that Can Deliver Results
- Relationship Oriented Politician that Operates with Empathy and Humility as well as Courage and Grit
- Independent Voice who will Serve the Interests of ALL Iowans with Respect to Food, Agriculture, Nutrition, Water Quality and Land Stewardship
The Secretary is in unique position to shape the vision for the future of Iowa Agriculture.
A person with grit and determination. Willing to lead. Take a lot of Heat from the Many Special Interests Involved.
-Steve Martin
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
