MAHA-Backed Businessman Defeats Incumbent Feenstra in Iowa GOP Primary

Zach Lahn, a businessman backed by the Make America Healthy Again movement, defeated Rep. Randy Feenstra in the Republican primary for Iowa governor. Feenstra, who received President Trump's endorsement on Friday after early voting had already begun in mid-May, conceded the race on Tuesday night before most outlets had called it.

Trump had maintained a perfect endorsement record in Republican House, Senate, and governor races until Tuesday. Lahn drew support from former Rep. Steve King, who lost to Feenstra in the 2020 primary. Outside groups had cast Feenstra as soft on immigration. Feenstra had served as the incumbent congressman from Iowa's 4th District.

Lahn will face Democrat Rob Sand in the general election. Sand is the only statewide elected Democrat in Iowa and 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 carried the state in 2012.

Iowa Republican 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. The Iowa outcome marked the first time in over a decade an incumbent senator lost a primary. Republican state Rep. Ashley Hinson is advancing in the Senate race.