“Anyone But Randy”: Feenstra’s Base Problems Cause Chaos in Nasty GOP Gov Primary
DES MOINES – New reporting from the Des Moines Register spotlights Randy Feenstra’s “difficulty connecting” with voters in his own party — and why it’s become a “persistent theme” of the wide-open GOP gubernatorial primary.
As the Des Moines Register reports, Feenstra habitually skipping multi-candidate events and refusing to debate his primary opponents “irritates activists and voters who expect to hear directly from their candidates in a state known for its retail-style politics,” and has motivated Feenstra’s opponents to “push the nomination to a convention.” Feenstra’s even had trouble locking down support in his own congressional district, with voters there saying he’s “too establishment” and “soft on issues such as opposing eminent domain for the use of carbon capture pipelines.”
Feenstra has been “unable to clear the primary field” after he failed to get Donald Trump’s endorsement, and “it’s been viewed as a snub” by Republicans and Democrats alike. The Cook Political Report’s Matthew Klein said “Trump’s reluctance to endorse is notable, given the fact that Trump traveled to Iowa and has backed a candidate in every congressional race in the state this year,” adding that “Feenstra has some work to do with the base.”
What Iowa Republicans are saying about Feenstra and his problems with his base:
- Moms for Liberty Polk County chair Jenn Turner: “There’s no excitement for people to get out there and really rally behind [Feenstra] because he’s not rallied behind us. He’s not shown that he cares.”
- Cerro Gordo County GOP Chair John Rosenfeld on Feenstra skipping the Clear Lake pancake breakfast: “People are just kind of like, ‘Yep, that’s the Randy we know.’ He certainly hasn’t spent a lot of time with the people … the folks we have here today, the voters, the actual, real, true grassroots of the party.”
- Johnston resident Brian Scott: “He avoids everything. I haven’t seen him in Iowa … My overall opinion right now of Randy is not real good.”
- Former Iowa GOP Chair David Oman: “In Iowa, if you’re going to run for governor, then run for governor and be out there and introduce yourself to people and let them ask you questions.”
- Johnston Republican Melissa Collins: “Anyone but Randy. Whoever can beat Randy is my guy.”
- Iowa Republican Juli Kvale: “He’s part of the Deep State, and I don’t want anything to do with the Deep State … [I would do] everything I can to make sure (Feenstra’s) not the nominee.”
From Iowa Democratic Party spokesperson Terra Hernandez:
“No-Show Randy Feenstra continues to face major problems with his own party and can’t even lock down support in his own backyard because he’s spent his time on the campaign trail hiding from Iowans. Feenstra won’t show up, debate his opponents, or answer tough questions — it’s no surprise that members of his own party agree he’s totally unfit to be Iowa’s next governor.”
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