Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra has launched an exploratory committee as he signals strong interest in running for governor of Iowa in 2026.

“Since Governor (Kim) Reynolds announced her decision not to seek re-election, Iowans from every corner of the state and walk of life have asked me to run,” he said in a statement Tuesday, May 13. “The outpouring of encouragement and my desire to continue giving back to our great state has brought me to today’s announcement. I want to thank Governor Reynolds for her strong, conservative leadership for Iowa.”

Feenstra is in his third term representing Iowa’s 4^th Congressional District, which spans 36 counties in northwest Iowa and along the full western edge of the state. It is, by far, the state’s most conservative congressional district, which could give him an edge with likely Republican primary voters.

He won the seat in 2020 after ousting longtime U.S. Rep. Steve King in a Republican primary. And he handily won reelection in 2022 and 2024 as an incumbent.

Feenstra filed the paperwork necessary for a gubernatorial campaign May 12 with Iowa’s Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

In a release, he touted his commitment to supporting Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda.

“I’ve stood with President Trump and fought against Joe Biden’s radical policies,” he said in a statement. “I’ve led the fight to stop Communist China from buying our farmland and backed President Trump every step of the way as we’ve secured the border. I’m fighting every day to renew the Trump Tax Cuts, protect the family budget, and support our main street businesses. As governor, I will stand with President Trump, defeat the left, and help usher in America’s next golden age.”

He said he will begin raising money and having conversations with Iowans around the state.

If Feenstra does enter the race, he would do so with a strong financial advantage. He’s legally allowed to transfer the money from his congressional fundraising accounts into a state campaign for governor. He reported ending the last quarter with about $1.6 million in cash on hand that could help seed a gubernatorial campaign.

The seat opened after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds made a surprise announcement in April that she would not seek reelection in 2026.

More: ‘A wide-open race’: How Kim Reynolds’ surprise decision shakes up Iowa’s 2026 elections

Former Republican state Rep. Brad Sherman had said prior to Reynolds’ announcement that he would run for governor.

Multiple other Republicans have signaled their interest in the race since Reynolds’ announcement. They include Attorney General Brenna Bird, state Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, state Sen. Mike Bousselot, House Speaker Pat Grassley and state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann. Bousselot has also launched a formal exploratory committee.

More: Will they run for Iowa governor in 2026? Our early handicap of 10 potential GOP candidates

Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand announced May 12 he would seek his party’s nomination.

Sand also enters the race with a sizeable financial advantage. He announced at the end of last year he had raised more than $8 million. And he announced May 13 that his campaign had raised $2.25 million in his campaign’s first 24 hours.

Democrats sought to undermine Feenstra’s potential candidacy after news broke that he had filed paperwork with the state.

“Whether in Washington or Des Moines, Congressman Randy Feenstra has been a reliable foot soldier for the misguided partisans and insiders ruining our state,” Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a statement. “Meanwhile, Iowa is now 49th in economic growth and losing manufacturing jobs while Rep. Feenstra has failed to deliver a farm bill, voted to gut Medicaid, and supported Iowa’s unaccountable voucher program that’s jeopardizing Iowa’s fiscal budget. We need a new direction and Randy Feenstra is just more of the same failed leadership.”

Feenstra is scheduled to hold his annual fundraiser, the Feenstra Family Picnic, May 30 in Sioux Center alongside U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.

May 12, 2025

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It. Don’t Risk It. high-visibility enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, is May 19-June 1, 2025. 

It is perceived everyone wears a seat belt, but data shows that’s not true. In 2024, 44% of traffic fatalities in Iowa were unbuckled; that translates to 108 lives lost. In a GTSB survey of over 1,450 Iowans, 88% reported always buckling up in the front seat. Only 67% always buckle in the back seat. 

“No matter the type of vehicle you’re traveling in, where you’re seated, or what type of road you’re driving on, the best way to protect yourself in a crash is to buckle up,” says Brett Tjepkes, Iowa GTSB Bureau Chief. “Unfortunately, many families are suffering because their loved ones did not follow this simple step. If this enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers not buckling up, we’ll consider the mission a success.”

If you know a friend or a family member who does not wear a seat belt, please talk to them about changing their habits. Help GTSB and law enforcement spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to be properly restrained when traveling.

GTSB works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce death and injury on Iowa roads using federally funded grants.
Click It. Don’t Risk It. campaign resources
 

ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes seven divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state, and federal government agencies and the private sector to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service, and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Professional Development and Support Services Division, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.

Iowa Department of Public Safety

215 E. 7th St.

Des Moines, IA 50319

https://dps.iowa.gov