Iowa Democrats now without Fourth District candidate as Melton suspends campaign

WEBSTER CITY — A little more than a month after launching his third bid for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District, Democratic candidate Ryan Melton, an insurance manager, announced Tuesday he's suspending his campaign.

"This was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make, but I know after a lot of prayer, conversation, and thought that I need to suspend my campaign at this time," Melton said on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter.

Melton said the decision was based on a number of factors including job loss, a health concern and his family missing him while he's been out on the road campaigning in Iowa's most-Republican district.

"It was an honor to fight the good fight on your behalf, and I will continue to, just in different ways," Melton said. "It's the biggest sacrifice I've ever made for the greater good, but I don't regret a single minute, and am proud of the fact that the party out here in the 4th is in a much better place now than it was when I first began running."

Melton, who lives in Webster City, ran in 2022 and 2024 against Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, and lost by more than 30 points each time. However, Melton has pointed out online and in campaign dispatches that his performance did improve (by about 2.5 points) between the two cycles.

In the 2024 cycle, Kevin Virgil, a Republican from Sutherland who primaried Feenstra, told Fourth District voters to back Melton in the general election. Melton said Tuesday he's proud of that "unprecedented endorsement."

"I know in my heart they can’t just keep taking their rank and file for granted. It will eventually catch up with them," Melton said of Iowa's GOP leadership.

With the announcement, Iowa's Fourth Congressional District is currently without a declared Democratic candidate for the 2026 election. Despite the strong Republican lean of the 36-county district, Melton said those who are even remotely interested in running should do so.

"We need more working people that struggle every day along with most Americans to run for every office, and I’ll always make time for you if you want to call me to inquire," he said. "Also, even if you are in a district that may seem unwinnable on Election Day, run anyway, because if you tell the truth and run as a sacrifice for the greater good, you’ll find so many wins out there."