In a big loss to Donald Trump, Randy Feenstra has lost Iowa’s gubernatorial race, finishing behind Zach Lahn. Feenstra lost despite being backed by the President. This also marks the first time in the midterm elections that a Trump-backed candidate has lost a primary.
Donald Trump-backed Randy Feenstra loses Iowa election
In a shocking development, Randy Feenstra, who received the president’s endorsement, lost the gubernatorial race in Iowa. Feenstra faced state Rep. Eddie Andrews, businessman and former conservative political director Zach Lahn, former state Rep. Brad Sherman, and former director of the state Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen in the midterm election.
Donald Trump endorsed Feenstra on Friday. “Randy is MAGA all the way!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
However, Businessman Zach Lahn was announced as the projected winner of the race with Feenstra conceding, marking the first time that a Trump-backed candidate for governor, the House, or the Senate has lost a primary.
Now, Lahn will compete in November’s critical midterm elections. The next governor could also play a pivotal role in the 2028 election, with the state’s history of being a determining factor in the elections.
Lahn will now face Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand, who is unopposed in his primary.
Ahead of the election, Feenstra had asked for Trump’s endorsement earlier this year, asserting that his philosophy aligned with that of the President. Lahn has never held a public office before, but has worked in Republican politics for years.
“I’m my own biggest donor, and I cannot be bought,” Lahn said in his ad campaign, “I’m running because career politicians, special interests, and corporate giants have betrayed Iowans.”
Meanwhile, Feenstra said in his concession speech, “You gotta carry this torch. We gotta keep this state red. We gotta make sure you beat Rob Sand. I’m all in to help him out. We are going to make sure that we have him as the next governor (via The Mirror).”
