Campaign almanac: Ernst, Miller-Meeks endorse Randy Feenstra for governor

A handful of Iowa Republican lawmakers have announced they are backing U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra's run for governor.

Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, launched an exploratory campaign in May after Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she will not seek re-election next year. Since then, he has raised nearly $4 million and has aired statewide TV ads as he aggressively moves toward a formal run.

Iowa lawmakers supporting Feenstra’s campaign include Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Iowa Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer. Iowa Treasury Secretary Roby Smith endorsed Feenstra in May.

"Randy Feenstra is a proven conservative who has delivered results for Iowa in Congress, and I know that he will take that same workhorse mentality to Des Moines. It’s why I’m proud to endorse Randy Feenstra for Governor of Iowa,” Ernst said in a statement Monday. “Randy has worked with President Trump to secure our border, cut taxes for Iowa families, invest in our rural main streets, and support our farmers and agricultural communities. As Governor, he will grow our economy, stand with law enforcement, and take Iowa to new heights.”

Cournoyer, who is running for state auditor, said she is “proud to endorse” Feenstra for governor in a social media post Tuesday.

"Randy Feenstra is a champion for Iowa values -- fiscal responsibility, defending life, and supporting farmers and rural communities. I'm proud to endorse Randy Feenstra for governor because I know he delivers for Iowa,” Cournoyer wrote. “In the Iowa Senate, Randy and I both voted for tax cuts, increased government efficiency and accountability which all protect the budgets of hardworking Iowa families and seniors. I look forward to continuing to work with him as State Auditor to help take Iowa to new heights.”

Miller-Meeks endorsed Feenstra in a social media post earlier this month and doubled down on it Tuesday in a statement.

“I’m proud to endorse my friend and colleague, Randy Feenstra, to be Iowa’s next Governor. Randy backed President Trump to secure our border, led the fight to ban China from buying Iowa farmland, and fought Biden’s radical agenda. He also worked hard to renew the Trump Tax Cuts and protect Iowa families,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement. “Randy Feenstra is a strong and principled conservative who will stand with President Trump and take Iowa to new heights. I encourage Iowans to support proven conservative Randy Feenstra for Governor.”

These endorsements come nearly a week after Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she will not run for governor. Iowa political observers expected Bird to join the primary after Reynolds withdrew from the race.

Republican state Rep. Eddie Andrews, of Johnston, and former state lawmaker Brad Sherman, a Republican from Williamsburg, have launched gubernatorial campaigns. Republican state Sen. Mike Bousselot, of Ankeny, also has announced an exploratory campaign for governor.

State Auditor Rob Sand, the only statewide elected Democrat, is considered the front-runner for his party's nomination for governor. Julie Stauch, a West Des Moines consultant and adviser to several Democratic candidates, also has launched a campaign.

Cook Political Report downgrades Republican chances in Iowa U.S. Senate race

As candidates continue to enter the Iowa U.S. Senate race, political forecasters are downgrading Republicans’ chances of keeping the seat.

In June, the Cook Political Report changed Iowa's U.S. Senate rating from "Strong Republican" to "Likely Republican."

The rating was altered after Republican Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's comments at a town hall in Parkersburg garnered national attention and backlash.

While Ernst was responding to a question about the impacts of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending package, which includes reductions to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program spending, attendees shouted over her, one saying people are “going to die” from the cuts.

“Well, we all are going to die,” Ernst responded.

She followed up her comment with a sarcastic apology video the next day.

Shortly after, Sabato’s Crystal Ball changed its rating of the race from "Strong Republican" to "Likely Republican," citing Ernst's comments and Sioux City Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten's campaign announcement.

Ernst, whose seat is up for election in 2026, has not officially announced a re-election campaign, but she hired a campaign manager in June. Former Republican Iowa state lawmaker Jim Carlin, of Sergeant Bluff, launched a campaign for the seat last month.

A number of Democrats also have mounted campaigns for the seat, including Scholten, state Sen. Zach Wahls, of Coralville, and Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage.