Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Critiques Media at Iowa Rally
CLIVE, Iowa – During a rally titled Make Iowa Healthy Again, Republican candidate Zach Lahn criticized the mainstream media for aiding public forgetfulness regarding the past and downplaying the stakes of the upcoming midterm elections. Michael Boes, the Chief MAHA Officer at Steak ‘n Shake, also disputed media narratives about the Trump administration’s efforts to enhance Americans’ health.
The MAHA PAC organized the “Get Out the Vote Rally” on October 28 in Clive, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines, as the November 3 midterm elections approach. Notable speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Lahn, Boes, various Republican candidates, and advocates from health, consumer, and agricultural sectors.
Boes shared his experiences, stating, “I want to tell a little story about what the media will never portray.” He reminisced about his time in the administration, observing Secretary Kennedy’s daily advocacy for the health of Americans and children. Boes emphasized the formidable opposition they faced from powerful interests.
“President Trump, despite what you might read, empowered us every single day,” Boes remarked, excitedly recalling how they transformed the food pyramid during that time.
Lahn, addressing the crowd, expressed his view on the media landscape, acknowledging, “There’s a couple of good ones,” before launching into a discussion about health as a pro-life issue. His statement ignited enthusiasm, prompting cheers and chants from the audience waving Make Iowa Healthy Again and Make America Healthy Again signs.
He later reflected on an interaction with a reporter who questioned whether the discussion would focus on culture or health. Lahn replied, “You don’t get it. They’re the same thing.” He elaborated on the fight for clean water and the importance of ensuring people can lead healthy lives, linking these issues closely with pro-life values.
Lahn continued, emphasizing the forgotten struggle to protect unborn children and the potential they hold. He mentioned that to preserve human wisdom, “You cannot know where you want to go if you forget where you’ve been.” He remarked that labeling this movement as merely political does it a disservice, as it encompasses much deeper concerns about future generations.
As he wrapped up his speech, Lahn reminded attendees of a warning he once heard at a funeral about the dangers of forgetting one’s roots. He suggested that the media contributes to a collective amnesia regarding significant issues at stake.
Lahn shared a personal insight about receiving endorsements from influential groups, reflecting on a friend lost to violence just 13 months prior. He encouraged attendees to engage in the upcoming election, stressing the importance of informing those considering abstaining from voting about the critical stakes involved in the cultural dialogue.
“Everybody wants prices to come down,” Lahn said, uniting the crowd in a common desire for change. Yet, he stressed that deeper issues are at play, noting that the left has long been aware of this cultural battle, while many are just waking up to the reality of it.
Lahn concluded with a rallying cry for Iowa, asserting that the state is not for sale and that their efforts prioritize future generations over exploitative groups.
His emphasis on health and cultural values paralleled points made during a recent gubernatorial debate with Democrat Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, where he highlighted threats to various institutions of Western culture. Lahn reinforced his commitment to protect girls’ sports, restrict age-inappropriate educational materials, defend the unborn, and support victims of human trafficking, stating, “We protect the most vulnerable in our society.” This stance sharply contrasted Sand’s criticism of a proposed bill to classify sex as binary based on birth verification, which Sand viewed as discriminatory.
The rally attracted a notable turnout, with reports indicating at least 500 attendees, including many filling the back of the venue.
