Trump-Backed Iowa Governor Candidate Randy Feenstra Loses GOP Primary to Zach Lahn

Jun 3, 2026

Businessman Zach Lahn defeated U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa's Republican gubernatorial primary, marking a rare loss for a Trump-endorsed candidate after the president backed Feenstra on Friday, June 2026. Feenstra called to concede late on June 3, 2026. Lahn will face State Auditor Rob Sand in the general election to replace Gov. Kim Reynolds, who opted out of a third bid.

Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary

▪Gov. Kim Reynolds opted out of a third bid for Iowa governor.
▪Rob Sand is the lone Democrat currently holding statewide office in Iowa.
▪Zach Lahn won the Republican primary for Iowa governor over U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra.
▪Zach Lahn will face State Auditor Rob Sand in the race to replace Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Trump endorsement setback

▪President Donald Trump said Randy Feenstra is MAGA all the way.
▪President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra in the 2026 Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary.
▪President Donald Trump endorsed Randy Feenstra on Friday, June 2026.

Lahn campaign platform

▪Zach Lahn championed a total ban on abortion.
▪Zach Lahn embraced the Make America Healthy Again movement.
▪Zach Lahn was his own biggest donor in the Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary.
▪Zach Lahn championed keeping liberal ideology out of public school classrooms.
▪Zach Lahn previously worked for the conservative political organization Americans for Prosperity.

Feenstra concession

▪Randy Feenstra told supporters in Hull, Iowa, that the outcome wasn't what they probably wanted but that it would start a new chapter.
▪Randy Feenstra told Zach Lahn to carry the torch.
▪Randy Feenstra called Zach Lahn to concede late on June 3, 2026.

Conservative movement backing

▪Turning Point Action is the conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk.
▪Former U.S. Rep. Steve King endorsed Zach Lahn in the Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary.
▪Randy Feenstra unseated Steve King in the 2020 Republican congressional primary.
▪Turning Point Action gave their support to Zach Lahn after President Donald Trump endorsed Randy Feenstra on Friday, June 2026.