IA-04: Three Democrats compete in Iowa 4th Congressional District primary
Though Iowa’s 4th Congressional District is considered a longtime Republican stronghold, three Democrats are competing in the June 2 primary to become the candidate competing for the open seat in the 2026 election.
The district, which covers much of northwest Iowa including Ames, Sioux City and Council Bluffs, is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who took the seat in the 2020 election after winning the primary against incumbent former U.S. Rep. Steve King.
The closest election for the seat, after its creation through the 2010 redistricting process, was in 2018, when King faced now-state Rep. J.D. Scholten, D-Sioux City, for the seat, as he faced criticism for controversial remarks related to abortion, immigration and race. Republicans’ 3% margin of victory in 2018 for King grew to 25% in the 2020 election when Feenstra became the nominee. But Feenstra is not seeking another term in office — he is running as a GOP candidate for Iowa governor in 2026, where he is running in a five-person primary.
With Feenstra’s exit, several Republicans including former Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl and Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes announced their campaigns to become the GOP nominee. But the field narrowed after President Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Chris McGowan, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president. McGowan is now running unopposed to become the Republican nominee for the seat.
https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/05/28/three-democrats-compete-in-iowa-4th-congressional-district-primary/
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