Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra is exploring a run for governor of Iowa, where GOP incumbent Kim Reynolds is retiring after two full terms.
“Since Governor Reynolds announced her decision not to seek re-election, Iowans from every corner of the state and walk of life have asked me to run,” the third-term congressman said in a statement Tuesday.
A day earlier, Feenstra filed a statement of organization form with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, allowing him to raise funds for a gubernatorial campaign ahead of any public announcements. CQ Roll Call reviewed the public filing.
CBS News first reported on Feenstra’s intention to enter the contest.
Feenstra was first elected to Congress in 2020, when he defeated longtime incumbent Rep. Steve King in a Republican primary. He won a third term representing the deep-red 4th District by 34 points last fall, and Republicans would be heavily favored to hold the seat if Feenstra proceeds with his bid for governor.
Before his election to Congress, Feenstra served for more than a decade in the Iowa Senate, where he was a tax writer. He has been particularly active on tax and trade policy since joining the House Ways and Means Committee in the 118th Congress. The Ways and Means panel on Tuesday began marking up its portion of the budget reconciliation bill designed to implement President Donald Trump’s tax policy agenda.
Reynolds made a surprise announcement last month that she would not seek reelection. Feenstra could be the first of many well-known candidates to enter the Republican primary, including state House Speaker Pat Grassley — the grandson of Iowa Sen. Charles E. Grassley — as well as state Attorney General Brenna Bird and state Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. Former state Rep. Brad Sherman announced a campaign for the GOP nomination before Reynolds exited the race, while state Sen. Mike Bousselot is also exploring a bid.
Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in Iowa since 2006 as the onetime swing state has grown decidedly red. But next year’s race could be competitive with Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, the last Democrat remaining in statewide elected office, launching a bid Monday.
“I’m doing it because we need more public service and less politics,” Sand said in his announcement video. “A lot of politicians yap about making Iowa redder and bluer. I want Iowa to be better and truer.”
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the Iowa governor’s race as a battleground.
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