IA · Officeholder
RState Representative · District 84
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: Iowa House District 84
Tom Gerhold, listed by Ballotpedia as Thomas Gerhold, is a Republican state representative from Iowa House District 84 who has served in the Iowa House since 2019 and is seeking re-election on November 3, 2026.[1][2] Ballotpedia lists his career experience as a research associate at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.[1]
Tom Gerhold was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Benton Community High School.[1] His career experience includes working as a research associate with the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.[1]
Gerhold won Iowa House District 75 in the November 6, 2018 general election, defeating Paula Denison and John George, and was re-elected there in 2020 over Ruby Bodeker.[1] In the redrawn District 84 he defeated Sara Yedlik in 2022 and Ashley Meredith in 2024.[1] For 2025-2026 Ballotpedia shows him as vice chair of the Environmental Protection Committee and assigned to the House Agriculture, Labor, House Veterans Affairs and International Relations committees.[1] He advanced from the June 2, 2026 Republican primary and faces Democrat Polly Denison in the general election.[1]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Tom Gerhold is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Iowa House District 84 as R. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
Directs the state to seek federal approval to limit food stamp (SNAP) purchases to healthy foods, and, once approved, provides $1 million in grants for the Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps SNAP recipients buy fruits and vegetables.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 56–40 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Creates state grants of up to $100,000, matched dollar for dollar, for grocery stores whose owners have 10 or fewer stores, favoring the smallest communities, plus grants to expand processing of Iowa-grown fruits and vegetables, paid from a new fund.
Apr 24, 2025 · Failed 31–58 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to require Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members to work at least 80 hours a month, with listed exemptions, and to align work rules across public assistance programs.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 61–35 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Allows school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage unpaid chaplains, to support students without a state license; bars requiring students to use them or using a chaplain instead of a school counselor.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 57–39 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Establishing a center for intellectual freedom at the university of Iowa
Establishes a center for intellectual freedom at the University of Iowa to teach and research ideas shaping the American constitutional order, offer free speech and civil discourse programming, and offer an American history and civil government course.
Mar 18, 2025 · Passed 60–37 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requires regents universities to set general education requirements totaling at most 37 credit hours, including western and American heritage, and bars those courses from distorting historical events or teaching identity politics or that systemic racism or privilege is inherent in U.S. or Iowa institutions.
Mar 18, 2025 · Passed 61–36 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Changes how criminal fines are divided, from 91% for the state court administrator and 9% for counties to 85% and 8%, sending the remaining 7% to a new victim restitution fund run by the Department of Justice.
Apr 23, 2025 · Failed 35–58 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Concerning the duties of county commissioners and county auditors
Raises from $1,000 to $50,000 the cost above which county election commissioners must take bids, allows informal bidding at or below that amount, and removes many county auditor duties and a bond-indexing requirement.
Mar 27, 2025 · Passed 61–32 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Bars regents universities from requiring students to take, or faculty to include or be trained in, diversity, equity, inclusion and critical race theory content as defined. Lets the regents exempt racial, ethnic and gender studies programs and the attorney general seek a court order.
Mar 18, 2025 · Passed 63–34 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Directs the state to seek federal approval to limit food stamp (SNAP) purchases to healthy foods, and, once approved, provides $1 million in grants for the Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps SNAP recipients buy fruits and vegetables.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 56–40 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to require Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members to work at least 80 hours a month, with listed exemptions, and to align work rules across public assistance programs.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 61–35 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As introduced, requires Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members to work at least 80 hours a month, with possible exemptions, once federally approved; replaces a public assistance fund with an information technology fund; and lets couples in a disability Medicaid program exclude $21,000 in resources.
Mar 26, 2025 · Failed 32–64 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Sets state rules for on-farm anaerobic digesters tied to livestock feeding operations, requiring Department of Natural Resources construction permits with fees up to $250, design standards, separation distances, and plans for spreading digestate on cropland, with violations subject to existing penalties.
Apr 17, 2025 · Failed 32–60 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Sets fiscal 2026 budgets for the state agriculture and natural resources departments and related programs from the general fund and other state funds, including animal disease preparedness, water quality and state park upkeep, and keeps money from selling state park land for that park.
May 13, 2025 · Failed 29–62 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Imposes a 6% severance tax on oil and gas extracted in Iowa, mostly for the taxpayer relief fund and partly for counties, roads and water quality; requires surface owners' written permission before operators enter pooled or exploratory sites; and limits local regulation of oil and gas.
May 2, 2026 · Failed 25–61 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Creates Gadsden flag "Don't Tread on Me" license plates with a $50 issuance fee and $50 annual fee, sending proceeds to state grants for firearm safety and right-to-bear-arms education, and drops the requirement that plate frames leave the county name visible.
May 12, 2025 · Failed 31–58 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Prohibiting the use of a language other than English for driver’s license examinations
Bars the Department of Transportation and third-party testers from using any language other than English to examine driver's license applicants, and removes driver's license examinations from the exceptions to Iowa's English-only rule for official documents.
Feb 26, 2026 · Passed 58–30 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requires school bus drivers to hold a commercial license with passenger and school bus endorsements, makes a state-approved driver course required only if the school district requires it, and counts federal entry-level driver training as an approved course.
May 8, 2025 · Passed 64–20 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Appropriates FY 2026-27 money to the Economic Development Authority, Finance Authority, Workforce Development, and regents universities, and codifies the housing renewal program, with repayments retained by the nonprofit Iowa affiliate for new awards.
Apr 28, 2026 · Passed 57–32 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Establishing drug-free homeless service zones, and providing penalties
Creates a crime of selling or transferring controlled substances within 300 feet of a homeless shelter or housing facility, adding a year to the sentence and barring probation. Makes it an aggravated misdemeanor for an operator to knowingly allow drug possession or use there.
Feb 25, 2026 · Passed 70–21 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts
On the version voted Apr 29, 2026: Repeals the right of property owners to file a written protest against a proposed zoning district change, which currently requires a three-fourths council vote to override when filed by owners of 20 percent of nearby land.
Apr 8, 2026 · Passed 75–18 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Lets members of Congress, statewide elected officials and state legislators ask county assessors and recorders to redact their names from public documents, and directs the secretary of state to recommend by November 1, 2026, how to protect candidates' home addresses.
Feb 26, 2026 · Failed 30–56 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 30, 2026: Requires a local ordinance before automatic license plate readers are used, limits use to state-approved readers, bans facial recognition with them, requires logged searches tied to a case number, limits data sharing, and requires deleting images within 30 days unless relevant to a criminal case.
Apr 16, 2026 · Passed 77–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 28, 2025: Changes the ban on flying drones over others' farms to cover flights, without the owner's consent, within 400 feet of farm animals, equipment or structures on farmsteads outside city limits with at least $15,000 in farm sales the prior year, and broadens what counts as drone surveillance.
Apr 8, 2025 · Passed 89–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program
On the version voted Apr 9, 2025: Caps National Guard service scholarships at the member's tuition minus federal military tuition aid received, and removes the rule that awards cannot depend on a member's unit, drill location or Army versus Air Guard branch.
Jan 30, 2025 · Failed 31–68 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Relating to the applicability of actions of certain international organizations
Declares that actions of the United Nations, its agencies and the World Economic Forum are not binding in Iowa, bars state and local governments from enforcing them, and requires the attorney general to seek court orders against violations.
May 12, 2025 · Passed 89–1 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Lets Iowa residents who are current or former members of the Iowa National Guard or an Iowa reserve unit, with satisfactory or honorable service, serve on county veteran affairs commissions; executive directors must still be veterans.
Apr 13, 2026 · Passed 89–1 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 2 of 229 party-divided votes on file.
Relating to city civil service employees and related procedures and including effective date provisions
Amends the bill to remove the section that bars cities with civil service commissions from creating boards for citizen review of law enforcement officers' conduct. (AI-written)
What it does: Bars cities with civil service commissions from creating citizen boards to review police officer conduct, requires cities over 50,000 people to have five to seven civil service commissioners, and changes standards and…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 30–0, Republicans 1–61
Apr 17, 2025Official record ↗
Relating to the practice of barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences, including establishment training programs, schools of barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences, and course of study
What it does: On the version voted May 14, 2025: Creates a training program letting barbershops and salons employ unlicensed workers supervised by a licensee, after two hours of education and written notice to customers; trainees c…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 11–20, Republicans 56–9
Mar 17, 2025Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
With most of their party · Passed 56–40 · Yes 56–No 40 · Democrats 0–32, Republicans 56–8
Mar 26, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 35–58 · Yes 35–No 58 · Democrats 32–0, Republicans 3–58
Apr 23, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 57–39 · Yes 57–No 39 · Democrats 0–32, Republicans 57–7
Mar 26, 2025Official record ↗
Establishing a center for intellectual freedom at the university of Iowa
With most of their party · Passed 60–37 · Yes 60–No 37 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 60–4
Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 31–58 · Yes 31–No 58 · Democrats 31–0, Republicans 0–58
Apr 24, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 61–36 · Yes 61–No 36 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 61–3
Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 61–37 · Yes 61–No 37 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 61–4
Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗
Concerning the duties of county commissioners and county auditors
With most of their party · Passed 61–32 · Yes 61–No 32 · Democrats 0–32, Republicans 61–0
Mar 27, 2025Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: Shall the bill pass?
Lets the state award one business a tax credit of up to 10% of its investment, paid over ten years, for a major project in a county of 50,000 people or fewer, instead of up to 5% credits for two businesses; credits are refundable and transferable.
Motion: Shall the bill pass?
On the version voted May 3, 2026: Replaces most homeowners' homestead property tax credit with an exemption of 10% of taxable value, from $5,500 to $20,000, starting in 2026, limits county and city general levies and other rate-limited levies to 2% yearly growth, and creates FirstHome Iowa savings accounts.
Motion: Shall the bill pass?
On the version voted May 3, 2026: Makes wide-ranging changes to state law and budgets, including corrections to 2026 acts, limits on standing appropriations, an insurer tax credit for health care access, a civil litigation abuse lawsuit, required American history and government courses at state universities, and judicial salary changes.
Motion: Shall amendment H–8494, to amendment H–8491, be adopted?
Amends the bill to remove its division that changes the 2023 National Electrical Code for Iowa homes (such as dropping arc-fault interrupter requirements) and bars local electrical codes stricter than the national code. (AI-written)
On the version voted May 3, 2026: Makes wide-ranging changes to state law and budgets, including corrections to 2026 acts, limits on standing appropriations, an insurer tax credit for health care access, a civil litigation abuse lawsuit, required American history and government courses at state universities, and judicial salary changes.
Motion: Shall amendment H–8490 be adopted?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8488?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall amendment H–8487 be adopted?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8486?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8485?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8484?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Showing 10 of 531 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.