In all likelihood, Rep Steve King (R-IA) is making his last appearance in the pages of UMB today, as he lost his primary run for the GOP nomination to his position to represent Iowa’s 4th district on Tuesday:
State Sen. Randy Feenstra (R) unseated Rep. Steve King (R) in the Republican primary for Iowa’s 4th congressional district on June 2, 2020. Feenstra received 45.7% of the vote to King’s 36.0%. None of the three other candidates received more than 10% of the vote. Local and national media identified incumbent Steve King (R) and top fundraiser Randy Feenstra (R) as leading candidates. A May 2020 article in Politico described the primary as King’s “toughest race since he was elected to the House almost 20 years ago.” [Ballotpedia]
Rep King, who lost all of his committee assignments following some unfortunate remarks concerning race, was the master of the passive-aggressive defense, which consists of “Hey, why are you misinterpreting my remarks?!” It appears the 4th district GOP voters were either tired of those remarks, or his loss of influence in matters agricultural. He’s also fairly bitter, but I shall omit those remarks, as they play the victimhood card.
Feenstra is a doctrinaire Republican:
“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support over the past 17 months that made tonight possible and I thank Congressman King for his decades of public service,” Feenstra said in a statement. “As we turn to the General Election, I will remain focused on my plans to deliver results for the families, farmers and communities of Iowa. But first, we must make sure this seat doesn’t land in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress. Tomorrow, we get back to work.”
Feenstra had won marquee endorsements and financial support from conservative groups in Washington, including the Chamber of Commerce and the National Right to Life Committee. He told voters he wanted a seat on the House Agriculture Committee — something King no longer has. And he boasted a much greater campaign war chest, reporting over $415,000 on hand at the end of March compared to fewer than $30,000 for King.
“The 4th District needs a seat at the table — an effective conservative voice,” Feenstra said in a recent debate. “Our district, our President, deserve an effective conservative leader in Congress.” [CNN]
While the invocation of the opposing Party’s speaker as a boogieman is fairly traditional in political hoo-rah, support from conservative organizations and his support for the President mark Feenstra as another far-right Republican. Given that the primary included five candidates, and none of the other three broke 10%, it’s quite likely the fourth district remains a bastion of far-right Republicans, and in November will remain in Republican hands.
