Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Steen arrived at the Iowa Capitol on Monday prepared to demand the “immediate denial” of a holiday display request submitted by the Satanic Temple of Iowa. Instead, the event quickly shifted in tone.
Minutes before Steen’s scheduled press conference, he learned the request had already been rejected by the governor’s office and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS).
“This was a tipping moment in Iowa,” Steen told supporters. “I just found out at 12:46 p.m. that the governor’s office and DAS denied the Satanic ritual scheduled for Dec. 13. It’s been denied. It’s been denied.”
Steen called the decision “absolutely incredible,” pointing to increased public pressure and changes in state policy following controversy over a Satanic Temple display that was permitted inside the Capitol in 2023. That incident spurred new guidelines allowing the state greater discretion in rejecting displays deemed inappropriate.
Steen, who served as DAS director in 2024, noted he denied a similar request last year as well. Monday’s announcement marks the second consecutive denial.
“It shows what can happen when Iowans stand up and fight for our families,” he said. “It shows what happens when leadership stands up in the face of evil.”
Steen said the Satanic display controversy has become one of Iowa’s most contentious cultural battles in recent years.
“No more marketing to children. No more trying to get them to create satanic symbols, sing satanic hymns, partake in satanic rituals,” Steen said. “This is not religious expression, it is not free speech — it is evil.”
He said the 2025 rejection mirrors the rationale he used when denying the group’s request in 2024.
“That’s also why I’m the only candidate being sued by the satanists as I speak,” Steen said. “If that’s not an endorsement telling our base who the enemy truly fears, I don’t know what it is. This moment proves that this is a battle between good and evil. Good has won.”
Steen called on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand to clarify whether he supports the Satanic Temple’s display as legitimate religious expression or protected speech.
“Yes, Rob, good and evil do exist,” Steen said. “But again, good has prevailed and I’m excited to mention that today.”
He also questioned Congressman Randy Feenstra’s silence on the matter.
“Congressman Feenstra has not stood tall, not stood firm on any issue,” Steen said. “I’d like to know if he would come alongside me and claim this victory for good as well.”
Steen criticized Feenstra for what he called a “32-day vacation on the taxpayer dime,” saying Iowans deserve leaders willing to stand visibly and vocally in defense of the state’s values.
Steen reiterated his pledge to protect Iowa’s traditions, culture, and children from what he described as harmful ideological intrusions.
“The filth here in the statehouse is going to stay out of here this Christmas season,” he said. “Clearly, by the showing of support here, we are that candidate. We will not back down.”
Steen closed by thanking interim DAS Director Mark Campbell for denying the request and praising Gov. Kim Reynolds “for standing up for the fight once again.”
