Feenstra files paperwork for 2026 gubernatorial run

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra filed paperwork Monday to launch a bid for governor, the first high-profile Republican to do so in the open GOP primary field.

Feenstra filed the paperwork for “Feenstra for Governor” with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board Monday, a needed step to launch a gubernatorial campaign. It came hours after Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, filed the same report for his campaign for governor, which he announced earlier Monday.

The GOP congressman, representing Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House, has not officially announced his campaign, and a spokesperson for Feenstra did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the bid. But the filing means he has entered a potentially large field of Republicans vying to become the party’s nominee in the wake of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2026.

Former state Rep. Brad Sherman is the only Republican to have officially launched his campaign for governor, which he announced in February before Reynolds had exited the race. But alongside Feenstra, others are expected to join the race ― state Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, launched an exploratory committee for the governor’s race in April. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and House Speaker Pat Grassley have also said they are considering a run for the governor’s seat in 2026, but have not officially made any decisions on running.

Feenstra is the only member of Iowa’s all-Republican House delegation to say he was considering a run ― U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn all said they do not plan to run for the position. He had told reporters at an April Marshalltown event that it was a “fair statement” to say he was keeping his options open on a gubernatorial campaign, according to the Des Moines Register.

The 4th District, representing much of northwest Iowa, is considered a conservative stronghold in the state. Feenstra has represented the district in Congress since the 2020 election, when he beat former U.S. Rep. Steve King in the Republican primary. He served as a state senator from 2009 until his election to federal office, and as Sioux County treasurer from 2006 to 2008.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart released a statement Monday criticizing Feenstra following the filing for a gubernatorial campaign.

“Whether in Washington or Des Moines, Congressman Randy Feenstra has been a reliable foot soldier for the misguided partisans and insiders ruining our state,” Hart said. “Meanwhile, Iowa is now 49th in economic growth and losing manufacturing jobs while Rep. Feenstra has failed to deliver a farm bill, voted to gut Medicaid, and supported Iowa’s unaccountable voucher program that’s jeopardizing Iowa’s fiscal budget. We need a new direction and Randy Feenstra is just more of the same failed leadership.”

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/u-s-rep-randy-feenstra-files-pap…