Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, conceded to Republican Zach Lahn after the polls closed on Tuesday night in Iowa’s GOP gubernatorial primary. Lahn, a farmer and businessman, campaigned on an "Iowa First" platform and achieved an upset victory over Feenstra, who was considered the frontrunner. Besides Feenstra, Lahn also surpassed former state Rep. Brad Sherman, former Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen, and state Rep. Eddie Andrews to advance to the November general election.
Lahn had a lead of approximately 1,600 votes over Feenstra shortly after midnight Eastern Time with 99% of the votes counted, according to The Associated Press. Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, had significant support, including a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
In his concession speech, Feenstra expressed his support for Lahn, stating, "I just called Zach Lahn, and said, ‘Hey, you got to carry this torch. We got to keep this state red.'" Lahn will face Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand in the general election, who advanced unopposed through the Democratic primary. Early ratings suggest the general election could be competitive, with The Cook Political Report moving the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss Up." If Sand wins, he would be the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa since 2006.