Shock loss by Trump candidate in Iowa has GOP insiders fearing the worst: report

[turbinetree]

By Tom Boggioni
Published June 3, 2026 9:30 AM ET

A rare loss by a Republican who waltzed into Tuesday's primary with a high-profile endorsement from Donald Trump has raised concerns that a change is in the air for November’s general election.

According to a report from MS NOW, authored by Hunter Woodall and Alex Tabet, the fact that Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) lost the GOP primary for Iowa governor nomination to rival Zach Lann has Republicans “anxious” about what voters want, with the added threat that Lann’s Democratic opponent might be the next governor.

Iowa's political terrain has shifted dramatically over two decades, the report notes. Once a presidential battleground, the state has evolved into reliably Republican terrain, voting for Donald Trump three times. In most election cycles, that track record would virtually guarantee a comfortable GOP victory this fall, even as momentum builds on the left -- but this year is proving different.

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-iowa-2676991046/

[UpInArms]

1. Maybe iowa is waking up

https://www.kmaland.com/do-you-support-president-trumps-anti-weaponization-fund/poll_50a18f51-489a-4f8b-96c9-6e127a64319d.html

Do you support President Trump's "anti-weaponization fund?"

21.5%
Yes


71.6%
No


6.9%
Don't know

[JPPaverage]

2. This guy Lahn might be worse than trump

And yes, I do believe that the rest of the state is finally waking up. At least here in Eastern Iowa.

[The Revolution]

7. Yeah, I saw his ads

Gives me the creeps.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Who knew that being a pedophile was not a dealbreaker

For the party that wants to force pregnancies. Hmm, hmm, hmm. Jesus has left the building.

[DoBW]

4. from Buttigieg

Something remarkable is happening in Iowa with @joshturek4iowa.bsky.social's campaign.

Congratulations on earning the nomination, Josh. Looking forward to hitting the trail with you soon.

— Pete Buttigieg (@petebuttigieg.bsky.social) 2026-06-03T01:44:26.615Z

[DoBW]

6. "It's Turek" /// check it out

There’s something brewing here in Iowa.

— Josh Turek (@joshturek4iowa.bsky.social) 2026-06-02T18:29:31.850416817Z

[riversedge]

8. Great to see that Pete B will be campaigning Josh

[MineralMan]

5. That's good news.

I hope similar things are going to show up in many places.

There is, I think, a quiet abandonment of MAGA out there. They've seen it. They've lived it. Now, they don't like it.

I'm hopeful for the midterms.