Zach Lahn Projected to Win Iowa GOP Governor Primary, Upsetting Trump's Pick in a State Democrats Hope to Flip

Updated on: June 3, 2026 / 9:08 AM EDT / CBS News

Zach Lahn Projected to Win Iowa GOP Governor Primary, Upsetting Trump's Pick in a State Democrats Hope to Flip

TL;DR

  • Zach Lahn won the Republican primary for Iowa governor.
  • Lahn's victory came over Rep. Randy Feenstra, who was endorsed by former President Trump.
  • Lahn, a farmer and businessman, focused his campaign on a "Iowa First" platform.
  • He will face Democrat Rob Sand, the current state auditor, in the general election.
  • The race is considered one of the most competitive gubernatorial contests this year.
  • Iowa has trended Republican in recent years, but Democrats see potential for a flip.
  • Governor Reynolds is not seeking reelection, making this the first open gubernatorial election in two decades.
  • Sand has a significant fundraising advantage over Lahn.