Campaign Almanac: Republican Jewish Coalition endorses Iowa’s Randy Feenstra

Republican incumbent Iowa U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra announced Tuesday the endorsement of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, is facing a primary challenge on June 4 from Republican Kevin Virgil. Democrat Ryan Melton of Nevada, Iowa, is also running for the seat in November’s general election. The district covers parts of Central Iowa and most of Western Iowa.

In announcing the endorsement, coalition National Chair and former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Brooks noted that Virgil has been endorsed by former Iowa U.S. Rep. Steve King, who lost a Republican primary to Feenstra in 2020.

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King was broadly rebuked by his own party for his comments in a 2019 New York Times interview in which he seemed to defend white supremacy. The Anti-Defamation League, a New York-based Jewish civil rights organization and advocacy group, also called for King’s censure over his support of “antisemitic organizations and individuals.”

King in 2018 met with members of a far-right Austrian party with historical Nazi ties during a European trip. He also supported a white nationalist for Toronto mayor.

King has pushed back sharply against any suggestion that he or the Austrian Freedom Party are anti-Semites.

“When King represented the district, he was a source of constant embarrassment for the GOP because of his pattern of inflammatory rhetoric condoning white supremacists and antisemites,” according to a joint statement from the coalition’s Coleman and Brooks. “RJC helped Randy Feenstra end King’s political career in 2020, and we strongly support the Congressman’s campaign to defeat King’s handpicked candidate in the June 4th Republican primary.”

The group noted Feenstra supported legislation providing $14 billion in emergency military assistance to Israel and the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The latter adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism for the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws regarding education programs.

Feenstra, a two-term incumbent from Hull, and Virgil, a Sutherland resident who's an Army veteran and former intelligence worker, have recently sparred about King and support for Israel, the Sioux City Journal reported.

Progressive group endorses in Johnson County supervisor race

A progressive action organization founded to promote the policies of former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, has issued endorsement in the primary race for Johnson County supervisor.

Our Revolution, in a news release, said it is endorsing incumbent Rod Sullivan and political newcomer Mandi Remington. Five Democrats are running for three at-large seats on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in the June 4 primary.

Sullivan, initially elected as supervisor in 2004, was one of the first elected officials in the nation to endorse Sanders’ presidential campaign in 2015. Sullivan has supported establishing and voted to raise the county’s recommended minimum wage in the hopes of setting a standard for more affordable living in the county.

He also supported providing pandemic relief funds to essential workers, including undocumented workers, excluded from federal stimulus checks and previous relief programs. Our Revolution also notes Sullivan’s support and involvement in passing the county’s human rights ordinance, establishing a transgender advisory task force and ordinances promoting wind and solar energy.

Remington is the founder and director of Corridor Community Action Network that supports dozens of local nonprofits and social agencies in their work for justice and provision of day care, housing, clothes, food and other basic needs. She also volunteers of several county, city and University of Iowa boards and commissions.

“Our Revolution Iowa and Our Revolution Johnson County are confident that Rod Sullivan and Mandi Remington will be strong progressive voices on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors,” said Tom Carsner, a leader of Our Revolution Johnson County.

Grassley, Nunn, Hinson and Feenstra to join Ernst’s ‘Roast and Ride’

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Fellow Iowa Republicans U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra will be special guests at Iowa U.S. Sen. Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” fundraiser in June, her campaign announced.

They join Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Texas U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in the lineup this year. Hunt, a former Army combat pilot, will ride with Ernst in the veteran motorcycle ride in support of the Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation.

Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” is scheduled for June 1. The event begins with a motorcycle ride starting at 10:15 a.m. at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines and finishing at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event then heads indoors at the Fairgrounds’ Animal Learning Center for a program scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The event is open to all ages and general admission is free. Tickets to participate in the motorcycle ride are $20, with all proceeds going to the veterans’ group. Riders and supporters are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance at https://bit.ly/4dz9kVH.