Iowa Talking Points — Paul Pate, Republican Candidate, Iowa Secretary of State

Paul Pate is the Republican nominee for Iowa Secretary of State, seeking a fifth overall term in office and his fourth consecutive term. A Cedar Rapids Republican who has held the office since 2014, Pate is one of Iowa's most experienced election administrators. During his tenure he has implemented voter ID requirements and has focused on election security. His 2026 campaign has been marked by controversy over Iowa's decision to share voter registration data with the U.S. Department of Justice — a decision his Democratic opponent Ryan Peterman has challenged. Pate joined Jeff Stein at Iowa Talking Points Studio to discuss his record, election security, and his case for another term as Iowa's chief elections officer.