Trump-Backed Iowa Candidate Lahn Caught Living in Kansas Mansion, Not Family Farm
By John Damon | Just The News Iowa
Zach Lahn, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Iowa governor, has been quietly living in a $2 million Kansas mansion for years — not on the family farm in Belle Plaine he touts on the campaign trail, a new investigation reveals.
The Daily Beast found that Lahn, who narrowly won the June primary, actually resides in a luxury property near Wichita complete with an indoor pool and private lake. One real estate outlet described the home as “a place on Earth that was closest to heaven.”
Lahn does own his great-grandmother’s farm in Belle Plaine, but records show he has never claimed it as his primary residence. When he refinanced the Iowa property in 2021, he and his wife waived the Iowa Homestead Tax Credit — a clear sign they do not consider it home.
Flight and Voting Records Raise Questions
Flight logs reviewed by the Daily Beast show Lahn, a licensed pilot who owns his own plane, regularly flies out of Wichita to attend campaign events across Iowa. That includes a June trip to his “hometown” and a flight to Des Moines to file his nomination paperwork at the State Capitol.
Voting records further complicate Lahn’s story. He voted in Kansas elections in 2018, 2020, and 2022. He told The Wall Street Journal he voted in Iowa in 2024, but no Iowa voting records were cited to back that claim.
Lahn’s Out-of-State Empire
Beyond Kansas, Lahn also owns a multimillion-dollar “ski-in, ski-out” mansion in Whitefish, Montana, valued at nearly $5 million, complete with an outdoor spa and hot tub. He owns additional land on the same road.
Lahn, a University of Colorado graduate, spent years working in Republican politics in Colorado and Montana. He also worked for the Koch-affiliated group Americans for Prosperity.
He and his wife, Annie, co-founded the Wonder School, a for-profit K-12 school in Wichita that charges $10,000 a year in tuition and “doesn’t hire teachers.” Only about a third of its graduates go on to a four-year college.
The couple applied for a marriage license in Montana just 11 days after Lahn’s divorce was finalized. They co-parent seven children from previous marriages.
Campaign Focuses on ‘Iowa First’ While Candidate Lives Elsewhere
Lahn’s campaign has centered on an “Iowa First” agenda, attacking corporate agriculture and touting an endorsement from RFK Jr.’s “MAHA Action.” But his apparent roots in Kansas and Montana raise serious questions about why he chose Iowa to launch his political career.
When reached for comment, Lahn’s deputy campaign manager, Meg Deneen, did not address the out-of-state living arrangement. Instead, she attacked Lahn’s opponent, Democratic Auditor Rob Sand, over his in-law’s Aspen real estate and Sand’s past work as a model.
Sand’s campaign fired back. “Zach Lahn has been lying to Iowans from day one of this campaign about where he lives, how much time he spends in Iowa, and his background,” said Emma O'Brien, Sand’s deputy campaign manager.
Race Now a Toss-Up
Lahn narrowly beat House Republican Randy Feenstra in the June primary. Feenstra had Trump’s endorsement, but Trump reportedly soured on him after Lahn’s upset win, saying Lahn was “much more Trump.”
Polling now shows Sand with a slight edge in the general election. The race is considered one of the most competitive in the country, and a potential pickup for Democrats as the 2026 midterms approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Zach Lahn actually live in Iowa?
Records and flight logs indicate Lahn has been living primarily in a $2 million Kansas mansion, not in Iowa. He owns property in Belle Plaine but has never claimed it as his primary residence.
Why did Trump endorse Lahn?
Trump endorsed Lahn in the primary, but later expressed regret, reportedly saying Lahn was “much more Trump” than Feenstra. The endorsement came before the out-of-state living revelations.
What is the Wonder School?
The Wonder School is a for-profit K-12 school in Wichita co-founded by Lahn and his wife. It charges $10,000 a year in tuition and does not hire traditional teachers. Only about a third of its graduates attend a four-year college.