ICYMI: Iowans Take Notice As No-Show Feenstra Is Absent From Another GOP Forum

Why is Randy Feenstra Refusing to Face His Competitors?

DES MOINES – No Show Randy Feenstra is at it again. He’s refusing to attend a Siouxland Patriots Gubernatorial Forum scheduled for December 8 – just days after promising he would. 

After thrice refusing to answer radio show personality Simon Conway about whether he’ll participate in a primary debate, no-show Randy Feenstra has so far refused to show up at events his Republican rivals attend. 

Feenstra failed to show up to a gubernatorial debate hosted by the Plymouth County Republicans on November 18, and a Republican Fall Fire Up held in Jefferson on November 20.

Iowans really started to take notice of Feenstra’s absences when he skipped an Ida County GOP forum last week. 

Here’s what folks had to say about Feenstra skipping the Ida County Forum:

SIOUX CITY JOURNAL: Our Opinion: Jeers to Feenstra for missing forum; cheers for area state champions

“What was Feenstra doing instead on the day of the Ida County forum? He was crisscrossing the state, making campaign stops in Dubuque, Clear Lake, Mason City and Council Bluffs.

On Tuesday, he met with voters at the Pizza Ranch in Sioux City, just a 45-minute drive from Holstein. During the Sioux City stop, Journal reporter Jared McNett asked whether he plans to appear with GOP candidates in the future. Feenstra responded “Absolutely. It’s just a matter of when they occur. But I look forward to that.”

We’ll be holding him to that.”

DES MOINES REGISTER: Iowa governor candidates take aim at absent Randy Feenstra in forum

“I’m sorry that Randy Feenstra didn’t show up,” said Cathie Hahn, a 73-year-old Galva resident. “I really kind of wanted to hear him, because I probably won’t vote for him again. And that’s my personal opinion. I haven’t seen a lot out of him, let’s put it that way.”

FAIRFIELD JOURNAL: Feenstra skips Ida County forum, challengers slam immigration 

“Feenstra did, however, send a staffer to work his table at the Ida County GOP event. This meant that Feenstra staffer had to sit awkwardly at the table while the other candidates pointed out the elephant that wasn’t in the room.”

Iowa Public Radio: GOP candidates for governor and Iowa’s 4th District tout conservative priorities at forum

“Referencing Feenstra’s absence, he noted, “Adam [Steen] mentioned Randy Feenstra not being here; that’s sort of becoming a pattern, you know.”

THE GAZETTE: Feenstra says he plans to appear with other candidates at future GOP events 

“Asked whether he hopes to appear with candidates at future events, Feenstra said “Absolutely. It’s just a matter of when they occur. But I look forward to that.”

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