(Adnkronos) – Randy Feenstra, the Republican endorsed by Donald Trump who called him “all Maga,” was defeated in the Iowa gubernatorial primary. The congressman was defeated by Zach Lahn, an agricultural entrepreneur, who secured the vote of conservative electors, allowing him to win, albeit by a narrow margin, thus signaling a weakening of Trump’s grip on the GOP electoral base, which had been demonstrated so far this primary season. In particular, Lahn attacked Feenstra for his support of the pharmaceutical industry, presenting himself as a supporter of Maha, the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which is inspired by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy in opposing pesticides and criticizing excessive deference to Big Pharma.
The divisions that have emerged within Iowa Republicans, where Trump won by a 13-point margin in 2024, are giving Democrats more hope than usual for the November elections in the state, which holds particular political importance as it is where the presidential primaries begin every four years.
Democrats’ hopes are focused not only on the gubernatorial election, for which they have nominated state official Rob Sand, but also on the Senate seat that will be vacated by Joni Ernest, a Republican who has decided not to run. Democrats, who yesterday chose local representative and former Paralympic basketball champion Josh Turek to challenge Republican Ashley Hinson, believe that widespread resentment in the agricultural state against Trump’s tariff policy could work in their favor.
