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Campaign Almanac: Iowa construction union backs Summit pipeline, Senate GOP eminent domain bill
Also, former Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz endorses Feenstra for governor
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The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 177 is urging Iowa lawmakers to advance legislation it says would put thousands of Iowans to work by allowing construction of the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline.
In a statement released this week, LIUNA Local 177 said its members “are tired of watching politics kill jobs and paychecks” and strongly support both the Summit pipeline project and Senate File 2067, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville. The union said the bill offers a “practical approach” to moving the project forward while respecting landowners’ rights.
SF 2067 would allow hazardous liquid pipeline companies to amend approved routes to secure voluntary easements from landowners, potentially avoiding the use of eminent domain. Supporters argue the bill balances private property rights while enabling energy infrastructure development and job creation. Critics contend it does not go far enough to protect landowners from condemnation.
The legislation advanced Thursday out of a Senate subcommittee chaired by Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, with Klimesh and Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, also serving on the panel. Petersen declined to sign on to the bill, calling it lopsided “in favor of the corporation over landowners.”
The debate comes as the Iowa House and Senate remain divided over eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. Earlier this month, the House passed legislation prohibiting the use of eminent domain for such projects. That language was later replaced in the Senate Commerce Committee with Klimesh’s proposal.
Union leaders argue SF 2067 protects landowners who do not wish to participate while allowing willing property owners to sign easements. LIUNA Local 177 President Richie Schmidt said the bill “respects ‘no’ and protects the right to say ‘yes.’” The union also highlighted Summit’s commitment to using Iowa union labor, which it says would result in thousands of middle-class construction jobs for equipment operators, welders, truck drivers and laborers.
Schultz backs Feenstra in open GOP governor’s race
Former Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz this week endorsed U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra in the race for Iowa governor, backing the Republican contender in the state’s open-seat contest.
Schultz said his endorsement was aimed at preserving conservative leadership in Iowa, arguing that Feenstra would keep the state from shifting left politically. He cited Feenstra’s support for cutting and freezing property taxes, lowering health care costs and maintaining election security, and said Feenstra would advance President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Feenstra welcomed the endorsement, thanking Schultz and outlining his campaign priorities, including reducing property taxes, strengthening Iowa’s business and agriculture climate, improving education and expanding access to affordable health care.
The 2026 gubernatorial race is open following Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement last year that she will not seek another term after holding office since 2017. Feenstra is one of five Republicans seeking the party’s nomination, alongside state legislator Eddie Andrews of Johnston, former state agency director Adam Steen of Runnells, business owner Zach Lahn of Belle Plaine, and former state legislator Brad Sherman of Williamsburg.
On the Democratic side, State Auditor Rob Sand and West Des Moines consultant Julie Stauch are competing for their party’s nomination.
Wahls notches new labor endorsements in U.S. Senate race
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 125 announced its endorsement of Zach Wahls for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, praising his record of supporting working families, union apprenticeships and fair wages.
Mike Sadler, business manager of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 125, praised Wahls for his willingness to challenge corporate interests that threaten union jobs. Wahls thanked the union for its backing and said unions are essential to Iowa’s economy and middle class, pledging to fight in the U.S. Senate for higher wages, the right to organize and federal investments that create good-paying union jobs in Iowa.
Wahls also picked up a new endorsement from the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Building & Construction Trades Council, a regional council representing 17 affiliated locals. Council leaders said Wahls has been “a reliable partner in the fight for good-paying jobs, strong apprenticeship programs and safer worksites.”
The endorsements add to an expanding coalition of labor leaders backing Wahls’ campaign.
Wahls, a state senator from Coralville, is one of four Democrats seeking the party’s nomination in Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate race. The others are state Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs, former chamber of commerce leader Nathan Sage of Indianola, and veterans advocate Bob Krause of Burlington.
Republican incumbent Joni Ernst is not seeking re-election. On the GOP side, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion and former state lawmaker Jim Carlin from Sioux City are campaigning for the nomination.
Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
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