Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) called Zach Lahn Tuesday night to concede Iowa's Republican gubernatorial primary.
At his election night gathering, Feenstra told supporters:
"I just called Zach Lahn, and said, 'Hey, you got to carry this torch. We got to keep this state red. You got to make sure you beat Rob Sand.' And I'm all in to help him out."
Lahn, a farmer and businessman who campaigned on an "Iowa First" message, defeated Feenstra and three other Republicans to win the nomination to replace outgoing Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Feenstra entered Election Day as the best-known Republican in the field. He had a fundraising advantage over Lahn of nearly $1 million, support from prominent Iowa Republicans, including former Gov. Terry Branstad, and a late endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Trump issued his endorsement just four days before the primary, describing Feenstra as "MAGA all the way" and giving him his "Complete and Total Endorsement.” Feenstra had been asking for Trump's backing for months and was already calling himself a "Trump conservative" in ads before he received it
Read More: Iowa Senate Contest to Fill Joni Ernst Seat Yields No Surprises
There Is Power in the Trump Endorsement - but There's Even More Happening With 2026 Elections
It wasn't enough. Tuesday marks at least the second time this cycle a Trump-endorsed candidate has lost a Republican primary. Trump-backed Brenda Wilson fell to Indiana state Sen. Greg Goode last month. Feenstra leaned hard into the president's agenda on border security, tax cuts, energy, and agriculture, and still came up short. Lahn beat him by roughly 1,600 votes with 99 percent counted, despite being outspent by nearly $1 million. Iowa Republicans will now have to reckon with whether the MAHA lane, outsider, health-focused, and skeptical of the establishment, is carving out real space inside the party, or whether this was a one-race anomaly driven by Lahn's six-generation Iowa roots and self-funded independence.
In one direct-to-camera ad, Lahn made his pitch plainly:
"I'm my own biggest donor and I cannot be bought. I'm running because career politicians, special interests and corporate giants have betrayed Iowans."
He faces Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand in November. Sand ran unopposed through the Democratic primary and is the only Democrat currently holding statewide office in Iowa, having built his profile around government accountability and anti-corruption efforts. He has also drawn Republican and independent voters by presenting himself as a bowhunter willing to stand up to either party.
Republicans have held Iowa's governor's office since 2011, and Democrats haven't won it since 2006. Sand is a real threat to that streak. The Cook Political Report moved the race from Lean Republican to Toss Up in April, and national Democrats are already treating Iowa as one of their better pickup opportunities on the 2026 map. With $18 million cash on hand compared to Lahn's roughly $636,000, Sand has the resources to make it competitive. Lahn will need to consolidate the GOP base quickly, close the money gap, and make the case that his outsider credentials carry as much weight in a general election as they did in a primary. Iowa Republicans are counting on it.
Editor's Note: Do you enjoy RedState's conservative reporting that takes on the radical Left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member