An Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate backed by President Donald Trump fell short of victory during a Tuesday election, marking a rare loss for the president this primary cycle.
Zach Lahn upset U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra. Now the party will have to regroup and refocus as Lahn will face Democrat Rob Sand in November.
Advertisement
“Lahn — one of five GOP candidates — received 37.7% of the vote, surpassing the 35% threshold required to win outright and avoid a Republican convention, according to the Iowa Secretary of State’s unofficial results,” said the report.
The good news is that Republicans can now avoid a drawn-out and expensive primary battle and can instead focus all of their resources on defeating Sand.
The context will be for an open gubernatorial seat after Gov. Kim Reynolds decided not to seek reelection. It’s the first open seat in two decades, Axios reported.
Lahn campaigned on an “Iowa First” agenda, rejecting outside influence and funding, including money from AIPAC.
He was endorsed by RFK Jr.’s MAHA Action and has pledged to bar illegal immigrants from receiving state benefits, while ending H-1B visas for state government and university jobs.
Advertisement
He also went viral recently for vowing to fight for Iowa farmers.
“They treat Iowa land like it’s a commodity instead of our inheritance. They treat us like numbers, not neighbors,” Lahn said.
Lahn said investors are buying up Iowa farmland and pricing the next generation of farmers out of the market.
“Our young people are leaving faster than 46 other states because they don’t see enough opportunity here,” Lahn declared.
“Wall Street hedge funds and foreign interests are buying and selling our land. Driving up costs so our kids are priced out of the market,” Lahn added.
“We have to find out what Big Ag and Big Pharma knew about the safety of their products and when they knew it,” Lahn said.
“Iowa has the fastest growing cancer rate in the world. We all know something is terribly wrong,” Lahn said.
“This will not go on when I’m governor. We are losing the wisdom of a generation,” Lahn declared.
“I know many people have stood before you on election night making promises, because that’s what politicians do. I’m not a politician,” he said.
“They treat Iowa land like it’s a commodity instead of our inheritance.”
“They treat us like numbers, not neighbors.”
Republican nominee for governor, Zach Lahn, says investors are buying up Iowa farmland and pricing the next generation of farmers out of the market.
“Our young… pic.twitter.com/QUKbsFAXfP
— Farm Action (@FarmActionUS) June 3, 2026
Meanwhile, Tony Dungy, an NFL Hall of Fame coach who won a Super Bowl in 2007 with the Indianapolis Colts, has endorsed a former colleague – of sorts – in her race to win a Senate seat in nearby Minnesota.
Dungy came out in support of Michele Tafoya, who is running as a Republican for a seat being vacated by Sen. Tina Smith (D).
As noted by Outkick, the endorsement makes sense since both worked together for more than 10 years on the NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast, he as an analyst and she as a sideline reporter.
“I’ve known Michele Tafoya for over 30 years, and I can tell you this: Michele is the real deal,” Dungy said in the endorsement video.
“She’s grounded in faith, guided by strong values, and committed to doing what’s right, even when it’s not popular,” he continued.
“Michele and I worked together in broadcasting for over a decade, and what impressed me most about her is her character,” said the former top coach.
“She loves this country, she cares deeply about families and kids, and she knows that leadership means accountability and service,” Dungy continued.
“Michele isn’t a career politician. She’s an independent thinker and a common sense conservative who’s ready to stand up for Minnesota.”
“Our state needs principled leadership, and that’s why I support Michele Tafoya for the United States Senate,” Dungy continued in his video.
The runoff is Aug. 21.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
