Zach Lahn Defeats Trump Pick Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa Republican Gubernatorial Primary

In Iowa, businessman Zach Lahn defeated President Donald Trump’s pick, Rep. Randy Feenstra, in the Republican gubernatorial primary, delivering a rare setback for Trump in a primary season that had previously handed him back-to-back victories.

“MAHA candidate beats Trump’s choice in Republican primary for Iowa governor MAHA candidate beats Trump’s choice in Republican primary for Iowa governor DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Businessman Zach Lahn’s win in Iowa’s Republican gubernatorial primary over President Donald Trump’s pick, Rep”

Associated Press

With 99% of the expected vote counted, Lahn won with 37.8% to Feenstra’s 37%, and the Associated Press called the race for Lahn at 11:50 p.m. June 2 while Feenstra conceded earlier.

Associated Press

The result set up a November general election between Lahn and Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for governor.

NPR described the governor’s race as one of the more surprising midterm battlegrounds, with Iowa Democrats and Republicans both watching how voters respond to candidates’ pitches in a national environment where President Trump, Congress and the Democratic Party all face record-low approval ratings.

NBC News said it was the first time in the midterm elections that a Trump-backed candidate for governor, the House or the Senate has lost a primary.

Lahn’s win was framed as a potential breakthrough for the Make America Healthy Again movement, which has clashed with the Trump administration over its embrace of pesticides and backed Lahn’s message in favor of regenerative farming and against large agricultural corporations.

Tony Lyons, president of the Kennedy-aligned MAHA PAC, said, "This election is a signal that pro-pesticide does not mean pro-farmer," adding that "Zach Lahn made transitioning away from toxic chemicals the cornerstone of his campaign."

CBS News

Democrats and Republicans both treated the primary as a crack in Trump’s coalition, with PBS noting the narrow upset revealed cracks in Trump’s coalition in the deep-red state and encouraging Democrats who are hopeful they can flip control of the governor’s office this year.

In the victory speech, Lahn said, "I will take on the big ag cartels. I will break up their monopolies, and I will get Iowa farmers a fair deal," and PBS described the message as resonating with voters.

Straight Arrow News also tied the defeat to the MAHA movement’s relationship with Trump, quoting MAHA PAC co-president Tony Lyons writing, "MAHA pac congratulates Zach Lahn, the likely future MAHA governor of Iowa," and adding "Thanks to the courage and leadership of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy" in the same post.

The primary outcome immediately shifted attention to the November general election, where Lahn will face Rob Sand, the only statewide elected Democrat in Iowa and the Democratic nominee who already had been able to focus on the general election because he did not have a primary opponent.

“En el estado de Iowa, el legislador estatal Josh Turek ganó la nominación demócrata en la contienda para suceder a la senadora republicana Joni Ernst, quien abandonará su cargo tras las elecciones”

Democracy Now!

NBC News described Sand’s campaign as anti-establishment and said he has been promising to be a governor "for all of Iowa," while Iowa Starting Line said the governor’s race is expected to be a genuine toss-up in November.

The Des Moines Register reported that Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart criticized Lahn, saying he enters the general election "on the back foot after a bruising five-way primary that forced him to burn through his cash and tore Iowa Republicans apart."

Meanwhile, Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann urged unity after the primary, saying, "Zach will work to keep Iowa the best place to live, work and raise a family," and calling for Republicans to stop Democrat Rob Sand.

NPR added that Iowa’s governor’s race is one of a handful of competitive gubernatorial contests expected to be competitive in November, with Iowa Democrats and Republicans both paying close attention to how voters respond as the state’s politics set up multiple competitive races beyond the governor’s contest.