U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra announced he is formally entering the race for governor, promising to work with Republican President Donald Trump “to advance the America First agenda in Iowa.”
“I’m excited to officially launch our campaign to take Iowa to new heights,” Feenstra said in a news release announcing the campaign Tuesday, Oct. 28. “Born and raised in the small community of Hull, I learned hard work at a young age, and I want to take a workhorse mentality to Des Moines.”
Feenstra announced May 13 he was forming a gubernatorial exploratory committee, and he has been making moves to shore up his fundraising and name ID early to help establish himself among a field of other Republican contenders.
So far, state Rep. Eddie Andrews, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen have launched Republican campaigns for governor, and state Sen. Mike Bousselot has also formed an exploratory committee.
U.S. Reps Randy Feenstra (left) and Zach Nunn (right) listen to President Donald Trump on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrouds.
But other potential big-name contenders, such as Attorney General Brenna Bird and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, decided to forego their own campaigns for governor, leaving Feenstra as the expected frontrunner.
Feenstra is in his third term representing Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, which spans 36 counties in northwest Iowa and along the full western edge of the state. It is, by far, the state’s most conservative congressional district, which could give Feenstra an edge in a Republican primary race.
Feenstra won the seat in 2020 after ousting longtime U.S. Rep. Steve King in a Republican primary. And he handily won reelection in 2022 and 2024 as an incumbent.
More: 2026 Iowa governor’s race: Who’s in, who’s out and who’s on the fence
Randy Feenstra emphasizes support for President Donald Trump
Since launching his exploratory committee, Feenstra has repeatedly emphasized his closeness to Trump.
At a May 30 event in Sioux Center, Feenstra said he was a “key author” of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that Trump later signed into law.
Feenstra sits on the House Agriculture Committee, which oversaw changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, including about $300 billion in spending cuts over the next 10 years. He also serves on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.
“I was very close to the administration on helping write this bill, not only the tax portion of it, but also the (agricultural) portion of it,” he said at his annual Feenstra Family Picnic.
He again emphasized his work on the bill in a campaign launch video, which highlighted his work to lower taxes at the state and federal levels.
Iowa’s U.S. House Republicans have championed the federal bill’s passage, but it’s drawn the ire of Democrats who fear the cuts will harm those who will lose access to benefits.
U.S. Reps Randy Feenstra (left) and Zach Nunn (right) listen to President Donald Trump on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrouds.
More: 8 ways Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ will affect Iowans, from rural hospitals to biofuels
In his first television ad of the cycle, Feenstra also highlighted his efforts to back Trump’s agenda.
“Feenstra stood with President Trump and battled Biden and the left,” a narrator says. “He’s leading the fight to stop Communist China from buying up Iowa farmland. And Feenstra backed Trump to secure our border. Now, Iowa needs a proven conservative to take us to new heights.”
His campaign launch video shares a similar message.
Feenstra did not endorse Trump ahead of Iowa’s 2024 presidential caucuses. Like the rest of Iowa’s congressional delegation, he stayed neutral ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses.
Randy Feenstra has cash and name ID advantage in GOP gubernatorial primary
Feenstra enters the Republican primary race with a strong financial advantage over his competitors.
He’s legally allowed to transfer the money from his congressional fundraising accounts into a state campaign for governor. He reported ending the last quarter with about $1.3 million in cash on hand that could help seed his gubernatorial campaign.
His gubernatorial exploratory committee also announced raising more than $3.2 million shortly after its launch.
But candidates for governor will not have to file public fundraising reports until the start of next year, so it’s unclear exactly how much money Feenstra has on hand or where his competitors stand.
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra speaks during Iowa’s Roast and Ride on Oct. 11, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Feenstra’s financial resources have allowed him to launch a statewide television advertising buy, and he has put $400,000 into the effort.
He was the first declared or potential candidate to air TV ads, which will help establish himself among voters.
Randy Feenstra campaign launch video attacks Democrat Rob Sand
Attendees listen as Iowa State Auditor and gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand speaks during a town hall Sept. 4, 2025 at Field Day Brewing Co. in North Liberty, Iowa.
On the Democratic side, state Auditor Rob Sand reported raising more than $8 million during the last calendar year, fueled in large part by family donations. He is seen as the likely frontrunner for the party’s nomination.
Political consultant Julie Stauch is also running.
Feenstra’s launch video takes extended jabs at Sand, accusing him of being “extremely liberal.”
On the campaign trail, Sand has emphasized that he considers himself an independent but “picked my poison” when registering with a political party.
“He’s hiding his record,” the Feenstra ad says. “Liberal liar Rob Sand only sinks low. But Randy Feenstra always stands tall for Iowa.”
A spokesperson for Sand did not immediately return a request for comment.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for theDes Moines Register. Reach her by email at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Republican Randy Feenstra launches 2026 run for Iowa governor
