Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, on Monday officially launched his campaign for governor in a 2026 race that could see several serious primary contenders, CBS News reports.
Feenstra, who has served in Congress since 2021, filed the paperwork for a gubernatorial run one month after GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she would not seek reelection.
Feenstra did not release a statement, and his office declined to comment when asked by the Des Moines Register.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart on Monday released a statement slamming Feenstra following news of his campaign filing, saying, "Whether in Washington or Des Moines, Congressman Randy Feenstra has been a reliable foot soldier for the misguided partisans and insiders ruining our state."
The congressman is widely expected to face off against Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who is considered by Republican insiders to be President Donald Trump’s favored candidate but has not yet announced whether she will run for governor.
Other possible GOP candidates include Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, state Sen. Mike Bousselot, and state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann.
Iowa state auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, also announced his campaign for governor on Monday. If elected, Sand would be the first Democrat to win a gubernatorial election in Iowa since Chet Culver in 2006.