Ryan Peterman

Ryan Peterman is the Democratic nominee for Iowa Secretary of State. A former Navy officer, he says he also worked on defense policy in the U.S. Senate and helped develop future officers at the Naval Academy. He is running on making sure every eligible Iowan can vote and on rebuilding trust in elections.[1][2][3]

Peterman grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.[4] He served 10 years as a Navy helicopter pilot, and he says he led sailors overseas during more than a decade as a naval officer.[2][4]

He later worked at the Naval Academy as an honor education officer, helping develop future officers.[2][4] He also spent a year as a legislative fellow for U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and he says he worked on defense policy in the Senate.[2][4]

Peterman announced in May 2025 that he would run for secretary of state.[4] He advanced from the June 2, 2026 Democratic primary and faces Republican incumbent Paul Pate in the November 3 general election.[1] He says he has met with county auditors in small towns and big cities across the state and wants to be a partner they can trust.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.