Zach Lahn has been projected by CBS News to emerge victorious in the Republican primary for the governor of Iowa, surpassing a congressman endorsed by Trump, which sets the stage for a competitive matchup against Democrat Rob Sand in November.
Lahn, a farmer and business owner who has aligned himself with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, triumphed over a diverse group of GOP candidates on Tuesday. Sand, currently serving as the state auditor, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
This victory breaks the recent trend of Trump-endorsed candidates winning and constitutes an upset against Rep. Randy Feenstra, who was widely regarded as a leading contender but did not participate in any primary debates. Last week, President Trump endorsed Feenstra, labeling him “MAGA all the way,” and he had garnered support from several prominent figures within the Iowa GOP.
Feenstra acknowledged his defeat late Tuesday night, expressing his disappointment in a speech delivered with family members by his side.
Lahn, identifying as a sixth-generation Iowan, manages a family farm and operates Homeplace Ventures, an investment firm focused on agriculture, real estate, and technology. He previously worked with Americans for Prosperity, a conservative organization. His campaign is built on a populist agenda titled “Iowa First,” which emphasizes increasing local ownership of farmland, addressing the emigration of younger Iowans, and tackling the state’s elevated cancer rates.
“I fear every day we are losing the Iowa we love,” Lahn stated during his victory address, criticizing out-of-state investors who he claims view Iowa’s land merely as a commodity rather than a cherished legacy.
Last year, Lahn received an endorsement from MAHA Action, a group formed by associates of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He gained additional support from Turning Point Action, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, and was also backed by former Rep. Steve King, who was known for his controversial remarks on race before being defeated by Feenstra in a primary in 2020.
Three other candidates participated in the primary: Adam Steen, the former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services; state Rep. Eddie Andrews; and former state Rep. Brad Sherman.
Lahn will now compete against Sand, who has served two terms as state auditor and notably won against a Republican incumbent in 2018 after his tenure in the state attorney general’s office.
Sand’s campaign has concentrated on government accountability, criticizing Republicans for various economic challenges faced by the state, advocating for universal pre-K, and opposing a school voucher initiative introduced by GOP leaders. He aims to present a moderate stance on social issues, while Republicans attempt to portray him as a liberal disguised as a centrist.
In a video released late Tuesday, Sand extended an invitation to Republican voters, asserting that the state’s political framework is “broken,” and warned that Lahn would only perpetuate the status quo.
Once viewed as a battleground, Iowa has shifted notably toward the Republican side in recent years, with Democrats facing increasing difficulties in rural areas. Trump secured the state in three consecutive elections, including a 13-point victory in 2024, while GOP Governor Kim Reynolds won reelection by an 18-point margin four years prior. The state has not elected a Democratic governor in two decades, with Sand being the sole statewide elected Democrat, having won his last election by a narrow margin of fewer than 3,000 votes in 2022.
However, Democrats are optimistic that the challenging national and state political climate for Republicans could enhance their competitiveness in Iowa. The Cook Political Report has classified the gubernatorial race as a tossup, one of five such races nationwide this year, while the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics suggests the race leans Republican.
Reynolds, who has presided over the state since 2017, holds one of the lowest approval ratings among governors across the country. Iowa’s farmers faced difficulties last year due to the trade conflict with China, which resulted in reduced imports of American soybeans and lowered prices for one of Iowa’s key crops. Additionally, the ongoing conflict with Iran has led to increased costs for fuel and fertilizers.
Reynolds opted not to seek reelection this year, making this the first gubernatorial race in Iowa without an incumbent since 2006.
Lahn contributed $2 million to his campaign last year, but he enters the general election with a fundraising disadvantage. As of mid-May, his campaign reported just over $700,000 in available funds compared to nearly $18.3 million for Sand’s campaign. Furthermore, Sand’s wife operates the Lauridsen Group, a prominent food and health products company founded by her family, which has significantly bolstered their campaign’s funding through generous contributions from her relatives.
From the start of the year until mid-May, Sand raised approximately $9.7 million, with over $3 million sourced from his wife’s family. In contrast, Lahn raised just under $1 million.
Apart from the governor’s race, Iowa is also witnessing an open Senate race following Ernst’s decision not to run for reelection, attracting interest from Democrats, although Republicans are expected to maintain a considerable advantage. Additionally, Democrats are focusing their efforts on two of Iowa’s four House seats, particularly the 1st District, where incumbent GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won by a margin of fewer than 1,000 votes in 2024.
