Major Upset in Iowa GOP Gubernatorial Primary

In what many are calling the biggest surprise of this primary season, businessman and farmer Zach Rahn managed to defeat four other candidates, including Congressman Randy Feenstra, who had received a late endorsement from President Trump.

Rahn’s victory came by a narrow margin—less than 1 percent, or under 1,700 votes, out of about 215,000 total cast. His support appeared to come from a mix of evangelicals, MAHA voters, and Turning Point USA, alongside a push for strategizing votes against Feenstra, who campaigned in what some described as a rather cynical manner.

Even though Trump endorsed Feenstra, Rahn still emerged as the candidate who resonated most with Trump’s base. That’s what ultimately counted.

Back in February, Brent Buchanan, noted as a top pollster in this cycle, indicated that the key to Republican success in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections could lie in merging MAHA’s message with traditional conservative values. He pointed out that many Republican candidates are often “too cautious” to take advantage of this opportunity.

Then came Learn.

His issues-focused approach seems to signal a shift away from the retail politics that have long defined Iowa.

When I initially backed Adam Steen in this gubernatorial primary, I hadn’t even heard of Rahn. My choice for Steen was based on the attributes historically valued by the Iowa Republican Party—integrity, character, faith, and experience.

For the past five years, Steen has acted like Iowa’s chief operative. He gained trust and connection during a time when Republican Kim Reynolds was a popular governor, a connection Iowa conservatives have often sought, illuminating why figures like Pat Robertson and Rick Santorum have seen success in the state.

In earlier political climates, Steen would likely have been the frontrunner instead of Rahn.

However, the electorate seems to have shifted. Many evangelicals who once frowned upon Trump’s past have instead focused on his policies. They now seem to care less about a candidate’s history and more about the current message. In the lead-up to the primary, it was clear—many Iowa voters recognized one name: Zach Rahn.

Despite Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Feenstra, Rahn stayed true to form, saying the kind of things that resonated with Trump supporters. That’s what mattered.

It’s really about issues, not backgrounds.

As the demographic of the Republican Party becomes younger, traditional identifiers are likely to hold less weight. An increasing number of young Republicans are coming from varied backgrounds, including broken homes, midlife conversions to faith, and more—factors that diverge from the traditional narrative.

They’re seeking results, not a flawless biography.

The desire for results proved strong enough to counter Trump’s late endorsement of Feenstra.

And sure, Trump’s backing made a difference. His support shifted Feenstra’s approval ratings significantly, despite the candidate facing negative feedback in recent months. This was expected to be the end for Rahn.

However, the party concluded that those candidates supported by Trump weren’t necessarily aligned with his issues as much as those he opposed.

Honestly, my late support for Rahn was a bit of a gamble; I wasn’t sure how it would unfold. Yet, I’m grateful it turned out well for the state where my children are raising their kids.

Rahn’s personal wealth allowed him to be resilient, no matter how Trump influenced the race. By effectively communicating on the right issues, he discovered what worked for him.

So to the Iowa Democratic Party and their candidate Rob Sund—get ready, because now the real fight begins.

So, let’s get on this Learn train.