DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — In a surprising turn of events Tuesday night, businessman Zach Lahn defeated President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, Rep. Randy Feenstra, in Iowa’s Republican primary for governor, marking an uncommon primary loss for Trump after a series of recent electoral successes.
The close victory exposed divisions within Trump’s support base in the traditionally conservative state, giving hope to Democrats who believe they can capture the governor’s mansion this fall. The outcome also represents a significant moment for the Make America Healthy Again movement, which has criticized the Trump administration’s support of pesticides and rallied behind Lahn’s advocacy for sustainable farming practices and opposition to large agribusiness companies.
“I will take on the big ag cartels. I will break up their monopolies, and I will get Iowa farmers a fair deal,” Lahn declared during his victory address Tuesday evening.
Supporters of the MAHA movement, a varied group backing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with goals spanning from ending vaccine requirements to promoting soil health and organic agriculture, celebrated the victory as evidence their political agenda was connecting with voters.
“This election is a signal that pro-pesticide does not mean pro-farmer,” stated Tony Lyons, the president of the Kennedy-aligned MAHA PAC, which endorsed Lahn. “Zach Lahn made transitioning away from toxic chemicals the cornerstone of his campaign and won this election decisively with strong farmer support.”
Until launching his gubernatorial bid in November, Lahn, a farmer and former conservative political director, remained largely unknown across Iowa. Throughout his campaign, he promoted positions that resonated with the state’s conservative base, including complete abortion restrictions and removing liberal concepts from educational curricula.
The candidate, who operates an investment firm and resides on a century-old family farm in eastern Iowa, took advantage of activist concerns about Feenstra, attacking him for avoiding primary debates and maintaining minimal campaign presence.
Additionally, he established himself within the MAHA movement, strongly criticizing corporate farmland consolidation and recognizing health issues related to agricultural practices and water contamination.
The agricultural powerhouse state maintains an influential farm lobby that has resisted mandatory chemical reduction regulations in waterways. However, severely contaminated drinking water has emerged as a pressing concern as agricultural runoff has driven nitrate levels higher, necessitating costly filtration systems in Des Moines, the state capital.
During a May debate, Lahn characterized water treatment facility improvements as a “Band-Aid.” He stated his gubernatorial objective would be to “decrease the nitrate load in the water in the future so we have less stress on that system.”
Over recent months, MAHA movement supporters strongly endorsed Lahn as their frustration mounted with the Trump administration and its Environmental Protection Agency for policies they consider contrary to improving America’s health.
This year, they protested after Trump signed an executive order designed to increase production of glyphosate, a disputed herbicide component. They also staged a demonstration at the Supreme Court in April opposing glyphosate manufacturer Monsanto’s Trump-supported attempt to avoid legal liability.
Lahn has rejected liability protections for pesticide manufacturers. He emphasized campaign themes related to these concerns during his primary victory remarks Tuesday night.
“Iowa has the fastest growing cancer rate in the world,” Lahn stated. “We all know something is terribly wrong. But too many politicians from Washington, D.C., to Des Moines have had their heads stuck in the sand while big ag and big pharma printed money. This will not go on when I’m governor.”
MAHA movement leaders responded to Lahn’s win by claiming it as their achievement.
“MAHA has done its job proving it’s politically radioactive to stand with chemicals over children,” Turning Point USA podcaster Alex Clark posted on social media. “Iowa knows pesticides are causing cancer which is exploding in their state. Tonight they opted for change.”
The president remained silent about Iowa’s gubernatorial contest until the previous week, when he endorsed Feenstra as “MAGA all the way” and promised he would “fight tirelessly” for the state on matters including economic issues, border protection and law enforcement support.
Earlier primary victories had demonstrated the president’s endorsement influence, helping to overcome two senators — John Cornyn of Texas and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana — along with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
However, Feenstra’s defeat represents a blow to the president and provides an opportunity Democrats will likely attempt to exploit.
State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Democrat currently in statewide office, secured the party’s gubernatorial nomination. Running uncontested in the primary, Sand has refined his centrist message, highlighted his rural background and accumulated an $18 million campaign treasury.
Following his Tuesday loss, Feenstra conceded to Lahn and expressed willingness to unite for party benefit. He revealed calling Lahn to encourage him to “carry the torch.” In his victory speech, Lahn previewed his November campaign against Sand using conventional conservative rhetoric.
“Rob Sand wants you to believe he’s a moderate,” he declared. “We’ve seen this movie before.”
