Feenstra sets sights on Rob Sand at Sioux Center tour launch for governor

In the two weeks since he formally launched his bid for governor of Iowa on Oct. 28, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra has been campaigning as though he's already in the general election.

Whether in campaign ads or in press interviews, the three-term sitting congressional representative from Iowa's largest and reddest district has made sure to include a multitude of attacks on Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, the Democratic Party front-runner for the 2026 election to succeed Gov. Kim Reynolds.

It was no different Monday night during his campaign launch event at the De Yager Student Activity Center on the Dordt University campus in Sioux Center.

“Rob Sand, he won't tell you what he believes,” Feenstra told a crowd of about 100 people. “Maybe he thinks the truth is too mean. Perhaps he wants everyone to believe that he agrees with you or maybe he just doesn't dare to stand up for you.”

Despite peppering the roughly 10-minute speech with attacks on Iowa's two-term auditor, the event overall had a more genial feel. A number of Feenstra's colleagues from his time spent teaching business classes at Dordt were in attendance, as were fellow Republican Party members such as Sioux Rapids State Rep. Megan Jones and current 4th Congressional District candidate Chris McGowan. Family friends were there too and even a friend from Feenstra’s local gym came out to the event. His wife, Lynette, gave remarks before her husband, calling him a servant of others, and introduced him as other family members sat in the crowd.

“We are so blessed to live in this rural community of Iowa and people on the coasts, the big cities, I don't think they understand is what we have here in small towns is neighbors helping neighbors,“ Feenstra said. “This is something we hold dear … something worth fighting for.“

When he spoke with press after formally announcing his gubernatorial bid, Feenstra said he wants to prioritize: making Iowa the most ag friendly state in the country, giving students access to “world class education from preschool to college,” curbing the state’s sizable “brain drain” issue and ensuring that Iowans “have access to high quality, affordable, accessible health care.”

He again touched on those issues Monday night and even mentioned his wife having taught kindergarten and his parents working at a private school. However he didn't dive deep into many details on those assorted plans.

Feenstra, the former Sioux County treasurer, did tout his work on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which raised the cap on state and local tax deductions, increased the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, slashed Medicaid spending and was signed into law by President Donald Trump in July.

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While he talked about how proud he was of helping craft the tax policy for the bill, Feenstra confessed his unease at being in Washington.

“Washington isn’t me. I want to be back home. I want to be together with you,“ Feenstra said. “I want to be right here fighting and taking the state to new heights.“

Feenstra and his wife each used the phrase “new heights” during their speeches and it's been part of the sloganeering for the nascent campaign. References to “standing tall” have also been commonplace. So too has the idea of being a "workhorse."

"Iowa needs a leader that stands tall and I am going to take the state to new heights," Feenstra said Monday night, melding the two phrases.

"This is the contrast, Iowa values versus liberal politics. Truth versus slogans. Workhorse versus show horse. Standing for what's right or not standing at all," he said.

Though he's one of six Republicans either officially running or exploring a bid for governor, Feenstra didn't talk about his primary opponents at all during his speech or in comments to the press following the event.

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Who’s running for Iowa governor?

"I am a fourth generation Iowan, born and raised right here. (I) live in the same town I grew up in. I want everyone to have the American dream I've had," Feenstra said when asked about what differentiates him from others in the race. "From being a city administrator to working at the Foreign Candy Company to lugging hogs at the local packing plant. I want to lead this state. I want to make sure that we take this state to new heights."

Zach Lahn, a business owner from Belle Plaine, just hopped in the race this past week. He joined Feenstra as well as State Rep. Eddie Andrews of Johnston, former state administrative services director Adam Steen and Williamsburg pastor Brad Sherman. State Sen. Mike Bousselot of Ankeny is exploring a bid.

At present, Feenstra appears to have the financial edge, having raised $3.2 million through his exploratory committee. He's also rolled out statewide ads and a number of endorsement from legislators he worked with as state senator. All six men have been invited to a Republican candidate forum at the Cobblestone Event Center in Holstein on Nov. 24.

One eventgoer, John Nitz, said he and his wife intend to explore all of their options for governor but that they are very positive on Feenstra. As was Fred Sick who said Feenstra's been very supportive of the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

"I've known Randy too long and worked with him too long and I know he’s a good guy and will do what he says," Sick said.