Feenstra is right choice for governor

In 2023, ahead of the Iowa caucuses, I was one of the first state legislators in Iowa to endorse President Donald Trump and his campaign for a second term. His record of results in his first term — and Joe Biden’s total failures in between — made it clear we could not risk a continuation of the liberal, America Last policies that left our nation more vulnerable, our economy weaker, and our border wide open. Fortunately, as I knew we would, Iowa delivered President Trump an enormous victory over Kamala Harris, cementing what Iowans knew all along: Iowa is a common sense state.

It's why I am proud to endorse my friend — Congressman Randy Feenstra — for governor of Iowa. He is exactly the common sense, conservative leader our state needs. He has the experience and conservative values to deliver for Iowa on day one, and his record — just like President Trump’s — speaks for itself.

I got to know Randy when we worked together in the Iowa Senate. We banned sanctuary cities, enacted voter ID, and eliminated the state death tax. While serving as chairman of the Iowa Senate Ways and Means Committee, Randy wrote and passed the largest tax cut in Iowa at the time. The legislature has since cut taxes several other times, but it was Randy who got the ball rolling, demanding that we do as much as we could to deliver tax relief for Iowans.

He then took that workhorse mentality to Congress. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Agriculture Committee, he wrote the historic package of tax cuts for working families that President Trump signed into law. He increased the federal death tax exemption for Iowa farmers, expanded the child tax credit for Iowa families, eliminated taxes on tips and overtime for Iowa workers, and secured a new $6,000 deduction for Iowa seniors. With his extensive background in business, Randy also ensured that provisions to support our small businesses and invest in Iowa manufacturing were included. What Randy did boils down to this: he worked with President Trump to stop the largest tax hike in U.S. history.

Iowa needs a governor who is one of us and shares our values. Born and raised in Sioux County, Randy knows the challenges facing rural communities and has solutions to make our state stronger. Having worked as city administrator in his hometown and Sioux County Treasurer, he knows what it takes to balance a budget and invest in Main Street. Randy has never forgotten where he came from. It’s because he met his wife and raised his kids in the community where he still lives today. It’s the community where he woke up at 2:45 in the morning to bake doughnuts before school, delivered newspapers, and worked at the local Pizza Ranch. It’s the place where he got his start in business and taught the next generation of Iowa leaders at Dordt University.

Randy Feenstra has a vision to take Iowa to new heights, and that’s what our state needs. Someone who loves Iowa, wants the best for our families, and shares the values that make Iowa such a special place. I urge all Iowans to join me in supporting his election.

Republican state Rep. Craig Johnson represents all of Delaware and much of Buchanan counties.