Adam Steen

Adam Steen has faced several allegations and controversies during his career in Wisconsin and Iowa politics. In 2022, while running for the Wisconsin State Assembly, Steen was the subject of an investigation by the Wisconsin Ethics Commission and the Racine County Sheriff’s Department regarding allegations of an illegal campaign finance scheme. It was alleged that his campaign coordinated with the Donald Trump campaign and various county Republican parties to funnel donations in excess of legal limits. The Waukesha County District Attorney declined to press charges in May 2024, citing jurisdictional concerns and an incomplete investigation, though noted the decision did not clear those involved of wrongdoing. Racine County District Attorney Tricia Hanson recused herself from the case due to a conflict of interest. During the same 2022 campaign, Steen faced internal controversy after staff members quit following the discovery that he had secretly recorded conversations with political figures and disparaged volunteers. In his 2026 campaign for governor of Iowa, Steen faced allegations of utilizing deceptive tactics to attempt to remove a primary opponent, Eddie Andrews, from the ballot. His campaign staff were accused of coordinating with a donor to challenge Andrews’ petition papers, and Steen was accused of threatening Andrews to drop out of the race. Additionally, during his tenure as director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, Steen was sued by the Satanic Temple of Iowa after denying them event space, and he faced a court-ordered injunction preventing the closure of a State Historical Society research center. Steen also reported receiving a death threat against his campaign in May 2026, which led to the cancellation of a campaign event.