The 1990 Iowa gubernatorial election took place November 8, 1990. Incumbent RepublicanGovernor of IowaTerry Branstad ran for re-election to a third term as governor. On the Democratic side, state representative Donald Avenson won his party's nomination and both Branstad and Avenson moved on to the general election. Branstad won re-election to a third term as governor, defeating Avenson by a margin of over 20 points.