In a surprising twist, Iowa Republicans have delivered a setback to Donald Trump by rejecting his chosen gubernatorial candidate, Randy Feenstra. On Tuesday, Feenstra was defeated by Zach Lahn, a rising candidate associated with the Make America Healthy Again Movement.
Despite a close race, with Lahn leading by fewer than 2,000 votes, Feenstra conceded late Tuesday evening to his supporters.
Lahn’s victory sets the stage for a November showdown against Rob Sand, the sole Democrat holding a statewide office in Iowa. Sand, who encountered no opposition in the Democratic primary, awaits as the next contender.
Lahn’s campaign was buoyed by support from Turning Point Action, the political wing linked to the renowned conservative figure Charlie Kirk. Lahn effectively positioned Feenstra, a three-term congressman from northwest Iowa, as part of the political establishment and a candidate who failed to connect.
While Trump endorsed Feenstra, his backing came only after many Iowans had already cast their early ballots—a decision that might have tipped the scales in this closely contested race.
Though Trump endorsed Feenstra, he did so after thousands of early votes in Iowa had already been cast, a potentially fateful choice in a race decided by such a thin margin.
A candidate needed more than 35 percent of the vote to avoid going to the party convention to decide the nominee – and the outcome was a surprise to many political observers.
Sand, 43, could become the first Democrat governor since Chet Culver, who was in office from 2007 to 2011.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Congressman Randy Feenstra speaks to guests during a campaign event at the Silo City farm on May 30, 2026 near Sioux Rapids, Iowa
Iowa democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand votes on primary Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa
Sand’s personal characteristics of being a churchgoer and a deer hunter are helping him relate to fellow Iowans.
Early polling showed Sand with a double-digit lead over Feenstra, the favored candidate. It’s unclear how Lahn will match-up against the Democrat.
Lahn is a farmer and businessman who ran on an ‘Iowa First’ agenda and campaigned as a supporter of Robert F Kennedy’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement.
One late poll showed him narrowly leading the front-running Feenstra with strong support among evangelical conservatives and MAGA Republicans.
Sand has won statewide elections twice for State Auditor, in 2018 and 2022.
Sand has run his office prioritizing issues such as uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
His office reports identifying more than $29 million in misspent taxpayer funds, and Sand has argued that he uncovered more waste and abuse during his first term than any auditor in state history.
During his campaign, he has emphasized a commitment to transparency, accountability, and protecting taxpayer dollars, a tune similar to one that Republicans, particularly in Washington, DC, have been singing loudly in recent months.
Republican insurgent Zach Lahn benefited from backing from the MAHA movement and Turning Point USA’s political action committee
President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 16, 2026 in Washington, DC
While serving as Assistant Attorney General, Sand helped uncover a lottery fraud scandal – later writing a book about it that was turned into a documentary, boosting his name recognition.
Sand has $18.3 million cash on hand, though a significant chunk has come from his wife and in-laws.
As recently as 2020, Democrats held three of Iowa’s four congressional seats, now all in Republican hands.
That year’s Trump wave swept Republicans into every federal office and delivered commanding GOP majorities in the state legislature.
Democrats also have high hopes in Iowa’s Senate race, where Josh Turek, a state representative and paralympian, will run as an underdog against Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson – hand-picked by Trump and fellow Republicans to succeed Senator Joni Ernst.
