Rep.Randy Feenstra conceded to businessman Zach Lahn in Iowa’s Republican primary for governor Tuesday night as party voters rejected President Donald Trump’s late endorsement in the race.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.NBC News has not projected a result in the primary.
But Billy Fuerst, a spokesperson for Feenstra’s campaign, confirmed that he has conceded to Lahn.Up to this point, no Trump-backed candidate for governor, House or Senate has lost a primary in the midterm elections.Rep.Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, walks up the House steps in 2024.Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images fileWith 98% of the expected vote counted, Lahn had 37.8% of the vote to 37% for Feenstra.“Clearly a Randy problem.
Barely won his own district,” a Trumpworld strategist said in a text message.“But, it is what it is.
So we go with Lahn.That’s fine.
He did well.”If no candidate had won at least 35% of the vote, the contest would have been thrown to a state convention later in the month.Lahn aligned himself with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement, and an outside group supporting him has painted Feenstra as soft on immigration.He also appeared to benefit from an endorsement of his own — that of former Rep.
Steve King, R-Iowa, who lost to Feenstra in a bitter 2020 House primary.Lahn was leading Feenstra in 16 of the 19 counties King won in that contest when the race was called.The congressman portrayed himself as a loyal ally of Trump, using the president’s late endorsement in his closing argument ad after receiving it last week.
He had also gone after Lahn for investing in a company that sells sex toys.Former state government official Steen Adam Steen stood in a distant third place with about 15%.Now Lahn will face Rob Sand, the Democratic nominee, who already has been able to focus his energy on November’s general election b...