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A few Republican lawmakers from Iowa have declared their support for U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra’s bid for governor.
Following Governor Kim Reynolds’ announcement that she would not run for reelection the following year, Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, began an exploratory candidacy in May. Since then, he has aggressively pursued a formal bid by raising close to $4 million and running statewide television advertisements.
Republican U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Iowa Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer are among the Iowa lawmakers who are backing Feenstra’s campaign. In May, Feenstra received the support of Iowa Treasury Secretary Roby Smith.
“I am confident that Randy Feenstra, a conservative with a track record of success in Congress, will bring the same workaholic mindset to Des Moines. Ernst stated in a statement on Monday that this is the reason he is pleased to support Randy Feenstra for governor of Iowa. Randy and President Trump have collaborated to protect our border, lower Iowa residents’ taxes, improve our rural main streets, and assist our farmers and agricultural communities. He will support law enforcement, boost our economy, and lead Iowa to new heights in his role as governor.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Cournoyer, who is vying to be the state auditor, expressed her pride in supporting Feenstra for governor.
“Iowa values—fiscal restraint, protecting life, and aiding farmers and rural communities—are championed by Randy Feenstra. “I know Randy Feenstra delivers for Iowa, which is why I’m proud to endorse him for governor,” Cournoyer stated. Randy and I both supported tax cuts and greater government transparency and efficiency in the Iowa Senate, all of which safeguard the finances of hardworking Iowa families and the elderly. As State Auditor, I’m excited to keep working with him to help Iowa reach new heights.
Miller-Meeks reiterated his support for Feenstra in a message on Tuesday after first endorsing the company on social media earlier this month.
I am pleased to support my colleague and friend, Randy Feenstra, for the position of governor of Iowa. Randy led the effort to prevent China from purchasing farmland in Iowa, opposed Biden’s extreme agenda, and supported President Trump in his efforts to secure our border. Miller-Meeks added in a statement that he also put a lot of effort on protecting Iowa households and extending the Trump Tax Cuts. A strong and moral conservative, Randy Feenstra will support President Trump and lead Iowa to unprecedented heights. I urge Iowans to vote for Governor Randy Feenstra, a conservative with a track record of success.
Nearly a week has passed since Republican Brenna Bird, the attorney general of Iowa, declared she will not seek the governorship.Following Reynolds’ withdrawal from the contest, political analysts in Iowa anticipated that Bird would enter the primary.
Both former state legislator Brad Sherman, a Republican from Williamsburg, and Republican state representative Eddie Andrews, of Johnston, have announced their intentions to run for governor. Ankeny’s Republican state senator, Mike Bousselot, has also declared his intention to run for governor.
The sole elected Democrat in the state, State Auditor Rob Sand, is regarded as the leading candidate for his party’s governorship.Julie Stauch, a consultant from West Des Moines who has advised a number of Democratic politicians, has also started a campaign.
Cook Political Report downgrades Republican chances in Iowa U.S. Senate race
Political analysts are reducing Republicans’ odds of retaining the seat as more contenders enter the Iowa U.S. Senate contest.
Iowa was rated as a “Likely Republican” in the Cook Political Report’s June assessment, down from “Strong Republican.”
After Republican Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s remarks at a Parkersburg town hall sparked much criticism and attention, the rating was changed.
Attendees yelled over Ernst while she was answering a question regarding the effects of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, which includes cutbacks to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program spending. One person even said that the cuts will cause deaths.
“Well,” Ernst said, “we’re all going to die.”
The following day, she posted a satirical apology video in response to her comment.
Soon after, Sabato’s Crystal Ball reclassified the race from “Strong Republican” to “Likely Republican,” citing Ernst’s remarks and the campaign announcement of Democratic state representative J.D. Scholten of Sioux City.
Ernst, whose seat is up for election in 2026, hired a campaign manager in June but hasn’t made an official announcement about running for reelection. Jim Carlin, a Sergeant Bluff native and former Republican state representative from Iowa, began running for the position last month.
Scholten, Coralville state senator Zach Wahls, and Nathan Sage, director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, are among the other Democrats running for the seat.
