About the office
Iowa House members help write and vote on state laws as part of the General Assembly; the House has 100 members, one from each House district.
Term: 2 years.
Pay: $25,000 annual salary, plus a daily allowance during the legislative session and a monthly expense allowance (Iowa Code 2.10).
Surveillance & privacy
- SAIDIn a 2018 Gazette Q&A he said red light cameras cause more accidents than they prevent, citing IowaWatch.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 19, 2018
Quick facts
- Office: State Representative District 84
- Incumbent: Yes
- Opponent: D Polly Denison (Democratic)
- Raised this cycle: $7,280; all years on file: $117,272
At a glance
Recent statement
Gerhold's stated legislative focus includes protecting landowners' rights regarding eminent domain for private carbon pipelines and supporting public assistance sustainability, including expanded Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities.
Biography
The race
- Thomas Gerhold is the Republican candidate for State Representative District 84 in the Nov. 3, 2026, Linn County general election.
- They currently hold the office.
- Also on the ballot for this office: Polly Denison (Democratic).
Record in office
- Gerhold represents House District 84 and is vice chair of the Environmental Protection Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Labor and Workforce, and Veterans Affairs committees.
- Gerhold is a research associate in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; he previously served as a Fremont Township trustee in Benton County and as chair and treasurer of the Benton County Republican Central Committee.
- In 2019, Iowa House Republicans advanced a bill (SF 188) to ban vaping and alternative nicotine products on school and university campuses; Rep. Thomas Gerhold, R-Atkins, was quoted in coverage of the 60-37 vote.
- Thomas Gerhold, a Republican born in 1961 in Cedar Rapids, was raised near Atkins on his family's farm and first elected to the Iowa House in 2018; after redistricting he was elected to District 84 in 2022 and re-elected in 2024.
Show 5 more
- Gerhold voted for the unemployment insurance employer tax cut (SF 607), hazardous liquid pipeline and eminent domain limits (HF 639), public-sector union recertification petitions (SF 472), and a carbon-dioxide pipeline eminent domain ban (HF 2104), and voted against amendments to raise school funding growth to 5%.
- Gerhold voted with the Republican majority in 98.9% of divided votes.
- His official Facebook page identifies him as Representative of the 84th Iowa House District.
- The Iowa Legislature's BillBook lists 41 bills sponsored or floor-managed (listed by issue under Record in office).
- Iowa Legislature: Iowa Legislature member page (House District 84).
Positions & statements
- In his Oct. 8, 2026 legislative column, Rep. Thomas Gerhold (Iowa House District 84) wrote that he voted in favor of HF 2801 to attract the Mesabi Metallics steel plant to Wever, describing it as a boost to Iowa's economy, businesses and national security.
- In a 2018 Gazette Q&A he said red light cameras cause more accidents than they prevent, citing IowaWatch.
- Gerhold's stated legislative focus includes protecting landowners' rights regarding eminent domain for private carbon pipelines and supporting public assistance sustainability, including expanded Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities.
Campaign money
- Thomas Gerhold's campaign committee is Gerhold for Iowa (IECDB id 2471).
- The committee has reported $117,272.00 in contributions across 710 contributions in filings through July 13, 2026, $7,280.00 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
- The largest individual donors include Dennis & Kerrie Haerther ($3,685.00), Vicki Wilharm ($3,570.00), David Neuhaus ($1,900.00), Benjamin Novotny ($1,500.00), Nicholas Charles Rowley ($1,500.00), Renee Hoffert ($1,350.00), Russ Hixson ($1,300.00), Ron & Jan Read ($1,150.00), Robert Burns ($1,030.00), Jon Rinderknecht ($950.00).
- PAC and other committee contributions total $45,109.24, led by Associated General Contractors of Iowa PAC, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Political Action Committee, Credit Union PAC, Justice For All Political Action Committee, Bankers Unite in Legislative Decisions AKA: BUILD, The Hawkeye PAC, Iowa Corn Growers Association Federal PAC, Iowa Industry Political Action Committee or IIPAC, #SCPA50264 Cedar Rapids Development Group PAC, FUELIowa PAC.
Show 5 more
- Party committee contributions total $14,654.51, led by Republican Party of Iowa, Benton County Republican Central Committee.
- Reported expenditures total $88,244.61 across 164 payments, $3,472.52 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
- The largest outside payees include Republican Party of Iowa ($56,175.00), Victory Enterprises, Inc. ($10,019.41), Sam's Club #8162 ($3,090.01), Benton County Beef Producers ($3,018.05), USPS ($2,038.00), Vinton Newspapers ($1,642.60), Susan Meyer ($903.33), Linn County Republican Central Committee ($900.00), Vinton Today ($675.00).
- Payments listed to Thomas Gerhold total $4,204.27.
- Gerhold's campaign committee reported about $14,964 in cash on hand as of July 2026, with top donors including the Associated General Contractors of Iowa PAC, Dennis and Kerrie Haerther, and the Cedar Rapids Development Group PAC.
In the news
- The Gazette described Gerhold in 2024 as a three-term Republican state representative for Iowa House District 84, which covers most of Benton County and parts of Linn County.
- Gerhold announced in January 2026 that he would seek re-election, citing historic tax relief and increased government efficiency; Speaker Pat Grassley voiced support for his candidacy.
Where they stand
Surveillance & privacy1 statement
In a 2018 Gazette Q&A he said red light cameras cause more accidents than they prevent, citing IowaWatch.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 19, 2018
None found.
Energy & power plants1 statement3 other records
Gerhold's stated legislative focus includes protecting landowners' rights regarding eminent domain for private carbon pipelines and supporting public assistance sustainability, including expanded Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities.referenceCivoren · Oct. 17, 2026
Gerhold voted for the unemployment insurance employer tax cut (SF 607), hazardous liquid pipeline and eminent domain limits (HF 639), public-sector union recertification petitions (SF 472), and a carbon-dioxide pipeline eminent domain ban (HF 2104), and voted against amendments to raise school funding growth to 5%.newsIowa Ledger · Oct. 17, 2026
Sponsor or floor manager of HF 238: relating to pipelines transporting liquefied carbon dioxide, including permit renewal and operation limitations.(See HF 780 .)officialIowa Legislature (BillBook) · Oct. 18, 2026
Sponsor or floor manager of HF 240: relating to insurance requirements for the granting of a hazardous liquid pipeline permit.(See HF 639 .)officialIowa Legislature (BillBook) · Oct. 18, 2026
Abortion1 other record
None found.
Sponsor or floor manager of HF 2332: relating to elective abortion and feticide, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.officialIowa Legislature (BillBook) · Oct. 18, 2026
Health care1 statement
Gerhold's stated legislative focus includes protecting landowners' rights regarding eminent domain for private carbon pipelines and supporting public assistance sustainability, including expanded Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities.referenceCivoren · Oct. 17, 2026
None found.
Jobs & economy2 other records
None found.
Gerhold represents House District 84 and is vice chair of the Environmental Protection Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Labor and Workforce, and Veterans Affairs committees.officialIowa Legislature · Oct. 17, 2026
Gerhold voted for the unemployment insurance employer tax cut (SF 607), hazardous liquid pipeline and eminent domain limits (HF 639), public-sector union recertification petitions (SF 472), and a carbon-dioxide pipeline eminent domain ban (HF 2104), and voted against amendments to raise school funding growth to 5%.newsIowa Ledger · Oct. 17, 2026
Labor & unions2 other records
None found.
Gerhold represents House District 84 and is vice chair of the Environmental Protection Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Labor and Workforce, and Veterans Affairs committees.officialIowa Legislature · Oct. 17, 2026
Gerhold voted for the unemployment insurance employer tax cut (SF 607), hazardous liquid pipeline and eminent domain limits (HF 639), public-sector union recertification petitions (SF 472), and a carbon-dioxide pipeline eminent domain ban (HF 2104), and voted against amendments to raise school funding growth to 5%.newsIowa Ledger · Oct. 17, 2026
Eminent domain1 statement2 other records
Gerhold's stated legislative focus includes protecting landowners' rights regarding eminent domain for private carbon pipelines and supporting public assistance sustainability, including expanded Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities.referenceCivoren · Oct. 17, 2026
Gerhold voted for the unemployment insurance employer tax cut (SF 607), hazardous liquid pipeline and eminent domain limits (HF 639), public-sector union recertification petitions (SF 472), and a carbon-dioxide pipeline eminent domain ban (HF 2104), and voted against amendments to raise school funding growth to 5%.newsIowa Ledger · Oct. 17, 2026
Sponsor or floor manager of HF 242: relating to procedures to review the exercise of eminent domain, and providing fees.(See HF 763 .)officialIowa Legislature (BillBook) · Oct. 18, 2026
Schools & education3 other records
None found.
Gerhold voted for the unemployment insurance employer tax cut (SF 607), hazardous liquid pipeline and eminent domain limits (HF 639), public-sector union recertification petitions (SF 472), and a carbon-dioxide pipeline eminent domain ban (HF 2104), and voted against amendments to raise school funding growth to 5%.newsIowa Ledger · Oct. 17, 2026
In 2019, Iowa House Republicans advanced a bill (SF 188) to ban vaping and alternative nicotine products on school and university campuses; Rep. Thomas Gerhold, R-Atkins, was quoted in coverage of the 60-37 vote.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · April 17, 2019
Sponsor or floor manager of HR 8: to recognize Archie and Nancy Martin and the contributions of the Martin family to the education of Black students in Iowa.officialIowa Legislature (BillBook) · Oct. 18, 2026
The race
RThomas GerholdThis profile- Polly Denison
Campaign money
- Campaign committee: Gerhold for Iowa (IECDB id 2471).officialIowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (committees) · July 13, 2026
Filings through July 13, 2026
| Contributions since Jan. 1, 2025 | $7,280 |
|---|---|
| Contributions, all years on file | $117,272 |
| Individuals and other organizations | $57,508 |
| PACs and other committees | $45,109 |
| Party committees | $14,655 |
| Spending since Jan. 1, 2025 | $3,473 |
| Spending, all years on file | $88,245 |
Largest contributors
- Dennis & Kerrie Haerther$3,685
- Vicki Wilharm$3,570
- David Neuhaus$1,900
- Benjamin Novotny$1,500
- Nicholas Charles Rowley$1,500
Show all 10
Other reports
- Gerhold's campaign committee reported about $14,964 in cash on hand as of July 2026, with top donors including the Associated General Contractors of Iowa PAC, Dennis and Kerrie Haerther, and the Cedar Rapids Development Group PAC.newsIowa Ledger · July 20, 2026
Record in office
Timeline
- 2026Gerhold represents House District 84 and is vice chair of the Environmental Protection Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Labor and Workforce, and Veterans Affairs committees.officialIowa Legislature · Oct. 17, 2026Jobs & economyLabor & unionsGerhold voted for the unemployment insurance employer tax cut (SF 607), hazardous liquid pipeline and eminent domain limits (HF 639), public-sector union recertification petitions (SF 472), and a carbon-dioxide pipeline eminent domain ban (HF 2104), and voted against amendments to raise school funding growth to 5%.newsIowa Ledger · Oct. 17, 2026Energy & power plantsJobs & economyLabor & unionsEminent domainSchools & educationGerhold voted with the Republican majority in 98.9% of divided votes.newsIowa Ledger · Oct. 17, 2026
- 2019In 2019, Iowa House Republicans advanced a bill (SF 188) to ban vaping and alternative nicotine products on school and university campuses; Rep. Thomas Gerhold, R-Atkins, was quoted in coverage of the 60-37 vote.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · April 17, 2019Schools & education
Undated
- Iowa Legislature member page (House District 84)officialIowa Legislature
Bills sponsored
Energy & power plants2
Abortion1
- HF 2332Elective abortion and feticide
Eminent domain1
- HF 242Procedures to review the exercise of eminent domain, and providing fees.(See HF 763 .)
Schools & education1
- HR 8To recognize Archie and Nancy Martin and the contributions of the Martin family to the education of Black students in Iowa
Other bills36
- HF 237Sanctions on intervenors in contested cases before the Iowa utilities commission.(See HF 923 .)
- HF 239The office of the consumer advocate.(See HF 578 .)
- HF 241Utilities commission member attendance at hearings and informational meetings.(See HF 790 .)
- HF 247Exempting the sales price of honeybees from the state sales and use tax.(See HF 1004 .)
- HF 280The regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor
- HF 325The establishment of a transactional currency based on gold and silver held in a bullion depository approved by the treasurer of state, and providing fees
- HF 326Establishing a veterans recovery pilot program and fund for the reimbursement of expenses related to
- HF 429Circumstances necessary prior to deployment of state military units in active combat or hazardous service related to conflict in a foreign state
- HF 436Child restraint systems by excluding purchases from the sales and use tax and by including the value in the loss calculations for specified insurance settlements of automobiles
- HF 442Providing for the disclosure of lead service lines in real estate disclosures.(See HF 876 .)
- HF 458Establishing a grant program for a nonprofit organization providing sexual assault forensic examination centers.(See HF 705 , HF 2794 .)
- HF 463Establishing human trafficking prosecution units.(See HF 831 , HF 1011 , HF 2565 .)
- HF 664The requirements for authorized electronic monitoring in nursing facilities
- HF 666The Iowa human life protection Act
- HF 813Private pay per diem rates at nursing facilities
- HF 920The double up food bucks program
- HF 2109The disposition of collected criminal case fines and establishing a victim restitution fund
- HF 2145The regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor.(See HF 2694 .)
- HF 2164The casting of provisional ballots by persons registering to vote on election day or when casting an in-person absentee ballot
- HF 2165The casting of ballots by absent voters
- HF 2166Voter records created and retained by the state commissioner of elections
- HF 2195The labelling of ballots by county commissioners of elections
- HF 2209Providing for the admission of students to the Iowa state university of science and technology college of veterinary medicine
- HF 2225Creating a new graduate nonresident tuition tax credit available against the individual income tax
- HF 2429Prohibited terms in state agency publications
- HF 2604Child abuse based on use of a controlled substance by a pregnant woman
- HF 2728Obstructing first responders
- HCR 7Calling upon the President of the United States and the United States Congress to support efforts to naturalize certain legally adopted children who were born outside the United States
- HR 3Affirming Iowa’s support for the State of Israel
- HR 14Calling upon the President of the United States and the United States Congress to support efforts to naturalize certain legally adopted children who were born outside the United States
- HR 16Recognizing and commending the National Conference of State Legislatures on its fiftieth anniversary
- HR 17Recognizing the contributions of Iowa farm families, Iowa farm employees, and Iowa agricultural leaders during National Agriculture Week and Iowa Agriculture Week
- HR 22Recognizing and congratulating the Kirkwood Community College women’s basketball team on its historic performance in the 2025 basketball season
- HR 23Recognizing and congratulating the Kirkwood Community College men’s basketball team on winning the 2025 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national basketball tournament
- HR 101Honoring Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, Staff Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, and their families
- HR 114Honoring the Iowans who were killed in or survived the attack on the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945
Positions & statements
2 statements are grouped above under Surveillance & privacy, Energy & power plants, Health care, Eminent domain. Also said:
- In his Oct. 8, 2026 legislative column, Rep. Thomas Gerhold (Iowa House District 84) wrote that he voted in favor of HF 2801 to attract the Mesabi Metallics steel plant to Wever, describing it as a boost to Iowa's economy, businesses and national security.newsJim Magdefrau (Benton County blog) · Oct. 8, 2026
Background
- 2026Gerhold is a research associate in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; he previously served as a Fremont Township trustee in Benton County and as chair and treasurer of the Benton County Republican Central Committee.officialIowa Legislature · Oct. 17, 2026His official Facebook page identifies him as Representative of the 84th Iowa House District.Facebook · Oct. 17, 2026
- 2024Thomas Gerhold, a Republican born in 1961 in Cedar Rapids, was raised near Atkins on his family's farm and first elected to the Iowa House in 2018; after redistricting he was elected to District 84 in 2022 and re-elected in 2024.referenceWikipedia · Oct. 17, 2026
In the news
- Gerhold announced in January 2026 that he would seek re-election, citing historic tax relief and increased government efficiency; Speaker Pat Grassley voiced support for his candidacy.newsKWWL · Jan. 15, 2026
- The Gazette described Gerhold in 2024 as a three-term Republican state representative for Iowa House District 84, which covers most of Benton County and parts of Linn County.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 24, 2024