MAHA-backed Zach Lahn defeats Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP primary for governor
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Businessman Zach Lahn defeated Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s Republican gubernatorial primary, marking the first loss for a Trump-backed candidate in a midterm primary for governor, House, or Senate.
- Lahn secured 37.8% of the vote to Feenstra’s 37%, benefiting from endorsements including former Rep. Steve King and aligning with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
- Feenstra, despite a late endorsement from President Trump, was criticized for his record and narrowly won his own district, while Lahn capitalized on immigration issues and Feenstra’s controversies.
- Lahn will face Democrat Rob Sand, Iowa’s state auditor, who has run an anti-establishment campaign and is considered a strong contender in the general election.
- The Republican Party faces challenges in Iowa with the retirement of Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sen. Joni Ernst, and concerns over Trump’s economic policies potentially affecting GOP voter turnout.