Iowa’s rising cancer rates have stormed into the center of the state’s midterm campaigns, reshaping debates for governor, the Senate and agriculture secretary. During the opening debate in the heated gubernatorial contest, Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn each described the crisis as foundational to their campaigns while accusing the other of falling short.

Two weeks later, cancer rates and possible connections to pollution from farming returned during a debate in the competitive Senate race. The prominence of the issue marks a striking shift in Iowa, the nation’s largest producer of corn and hogs.

Iowa has the second highest cancer rate in the United States and is one of only three states where that rate is rising. For the first time, candidates from both major parties have placed action on environmental causes of cancer in their campaign platforms.

Lahn, a farmer who has support from the Make America Healthy Again movement, and Sand, a moderate lawyer, have promised to improve water quality and regulate chemicals. Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Democratic State Representative Josh Turek have also called for additional funding to protect drinking water.

Campaign advertising shows how rapidly the issue has expanded. Nearly $30 million has funded more than 100 Iowa campaign advertisements mentioning cancer this year, according to AdImpact data, compared with one advertisement backed by slightly less than $200,000 during the 2022 midterms.

Chris Jones, a longtime water quality advocate and Democratic candidate for state agriculture secretary, said candidates were largely silent about the issue nine months earlier. Jones argues that Democrats have not challenged Big Ag forcefully enough, allowing Republicans energized by the MAHA movement to seize political ground.

Both parties must balance criticism of agricultural practices against Iowa’s economic reliance on the industry. Jones has called for stronger regulation and reduced dependence on corn and soybean production, going further than other candidates on the ballot.

The Iowa Health Department attributes much of the state’s cancer burden to obesity, alcohol and smoking, while acknowledging that environmental exposures could contribute. Environmental advocates and some farmers point to nitrate concentrations from thousands of tons of livestock manure leaking into Iowa waters.

A state report showing that Iowa’s cancer rate was rising faster than that of any other state intensified public concern, according to farmer and Lobe Rangers founding member Zach Smith. Smith, an independent voter, said the growing momentum must produce meaningful legislation and motivate residents to vote.

The issue has also disrupted traditional political alignments. James Hepp, another Lobe Rangers founder and a Republican, said environmental advocacy once carried a liberal stigma but is increasingly viewed as the work of informed citizens.

Many Iowans who spoke to CNN credited MAHA with building momentum. The movement supported Lahn and helped power his surprise primary victory over Trump endorsed Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra, while MAHA Action contributed $1.5 million toward Lahn’s campaign.

Questions remain about Republican commitment to the movement’s goals. The Trump administration ordered increased domestic pesticide production and reversed numerous environmental regulations, while Lahn publicly opposed the pesticide production order.

David Murphy, a Democrat associated with MAHA who supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign, remains skeptical of Lahn because of the Republican record under Trump. Murphy, a fifth generation Iowan, now works on Jones’ campaign for agriculture secretary.

Cancer and water pollution have become attack lines in the Senate race between Hinson and Turek. Allies of Turek, who was born with Spina Bifida linked to his father’s exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, have used the subject to criticize Hinson’s acceptance of contributions from accused polluters.

Hinson’s campaign did not address those advertising claims when asked. She joined Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten of Michigan to introduce legislation designed to improve access to early detection cancer screenings, saying Iowa’s rising rates were unacceptable.

Glyphosate has created another fracture among Republicans, farmers and MAHA activists. The herbicide, commonly known as RoundUp, is viewed by activists as a cancer concern, while many farmers say it is necessary to protect millions of crops during each farming season.

The science concerning glyphosate and health risks remains far from definitive, and the Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a routine safety review this year. Republican agriculture secretary candidate Mike Naig has criticized Lahn’s approach, warning that treating the complex subject primarily as a political issue could be dangerous.

Democrats see an opening in the Republican divisions, although some Democrats also face scrutiny over their agricultural connections. Lahn has accused Sand of accepting money from a donor accused of polluting drinking water, allegations that Sand’s campaign vigorously disputes.

Sand has met with cancer survivors in West Des Moines and promised to appoint a Cancer Task Force. A Cook Political Report poll conducted with New River Strategies and GS Strategy Group showed Sand clearly leading Lahn, while a CNN poll of polls found the Senate race deadlocked.

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