President Trump has endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) in the Iowa gubernatorial election ahead of the GOP primary.

“Highly Respected American First Congressman, Randy Feenstra, is running for Governor of Iowa, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024, getting the highest Vote in the History of Iowa. Randy is MAGA all the way!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

A Fourth Generation Iowan, successful Businessman, former Treasurer of Sioux County, State Senator, and now, as a distinguished U.S. Congressman, Randy has delivered strong results for the Hawkeye State. As your next Governor, Randy will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Champion our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Empower Ethanol, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our incredible Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, Advance Election Integrity, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump continued.

“Randy Feenstra has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Iowa — RANDY WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he added.

More from Iowa Capital Dispatch:

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The presidential endorsement could be a significant boost for Feenstra ahead of the June 2 primary. He is running against four other Republicans: Zach Lahn, a businessman and farmer; former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen; former state Rep. Brad Sherman of Williamsburg, and state Rep. Eddie Andrews of Johnston.

The crowded race means it may be difficult for one candidate to win outright in the primary. If no candidate wins by at least 35% in the primary election, the nominee will be selected at the Iowa Republican state convention by delegates.

A recent poll from JMC Analytics and Polling, conducted May 27 and 28, found Lahn leading Feenstra with 24% to 22% among respondents, 97% of whom said they plan to vote in the GOP primary or had already voted, with 3% unsure if they would vote. Steen came in third with 15%, followed by Sherman at 8% and Andrews at 4%. More than a quarter of respondents — 27% — said they still remain undecided. The poll, which included 550 respondents, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.18 percentage points.

Lahn also pulled ahead of Feenstra in fundraising for the first part of 2026. According to the reports filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, Lahn raised $980,152 while Feenstra raised $739,059 from Jan. 1 through May 14, though Feenstra retained an overall fundraising lead with $5.04 million over the course of the election. Lahn’s total fundraising was at $3.14 million, including a $2 million personal loan. Steen raised $497,340 , Sherman $153,541 and Andrews $15,566 in the the reporting period.

“I’m honored to have earned President Trump’s complete & total endorsement to be the next Governor of Iowa,” Feenstra said.

“As Governor, I will stand with President Trump to cut and freeze property taxes, lower costs for families, and put Iowa first. I’ll never stop fighting for Iowa!” he added.

Iowa Public Radio shared further:

The winner of Tuesday’s primary election will face State Auditor Rob Sand in the fall election for governor, which has been labeled a “toss up” by nonpartisan election analysts at The Cook Political Report. Sand is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said Republican grassroots activists have made it clear they don’t want Feenstra to be the nominee, and this endorsement is “too little too late.”

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“From hiding from Iowa voters and ducking debates to writing the bill that makes the largest cuts to Medicaid in history and supporting costly tariffs hurting Iowa farmers, Feenstra has consistently sided with powerful insiders over working families,” Hart said. “After a decade of failed one-party rule, Iowans know it’s time for change, and this announcement doesn’t change that.”

 

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