Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra has filed paperwork to run for governor of Iowa in the 2026 election.
Feenstra, a third-term congressman from Hull, Iowa, won his 2024 reelection with over 67 percent of the vote; if he proceeds with a gubernatorial campaign, it would create an open seat in the heavily Republican 4th District. Feenstra first came to Congress after defeating longtime incumbent Rep. Steve King in a Republican primary in 2020.
Monday’s filing of a state of organization form with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board allows Feenstra to raise funds for a gubernatorial campaign ahead of any public announcements. CQ Roll Call reviewed the public filing.
Feenstra, who was also a tax writer in the Iowa state Senate, has been particularly active on tax and trade policy since joining the Ways and Means Committee in the 118th Congress. The Ways and Means panel is scheduled on Tuesday to begin marking up its portion of the budget reconciliation bill designed to implement President Donald Trump’s tax policy agenda.
Iowa’s incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, made a surprise announcement last month that she would not seek reelection. Feenstra could be the first of many well-known candidates to enter the race. The widely reported names of potential candidates include state House Speaker Pat Grassley — grandson of Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa — as well as state Attorney General Brenna Bird and state Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig.
CBS News first reported on Feenstra’s intention to enter the contest. Rob Sand, the Democratic state auditor, also entered the race on Monday.
