Zach Lahn Defeats Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP Gubernatorial Primary

Businessman Zach Lahn defeated Rep. Randy Feenstra in the Republican primary for Iowa governor on Tuesday. Feenstra, who had received an endorsement from President Trump on Friday, conceded before most outlets called the race.

Up until Tuesday, President Trump had a perfect endorsement record in House, Senate, and governor races on the Republican side. Trump endorsed Feenstra after early voting began in mid-May. Lahn drew support from the Make America Healthy Again movement and former Rep.

Steve King, who lost to Feenstra in a 2020 primary. Outside groups cast Feenstra as soft on immigration. Lahn now faces Sand, the only statewide elected Democrat in Iowa. Sand has built a profile by criticizing both parties.

Democrats have not won a major top-of-the-ticket race in Iowa since former President Barack Obama in 2012. Party officials expressed cautious optimism about the gubernatorial and Senate contests this cycle. Trump’s endorsement had removed multiple Republican incumbents earlier this cycle, including Rep.

Thomas Massie and Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Cornyn. It was the first time in over a decade an incumbent senator lost a primary. Democratic state Rep. S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in the Senate race.