Washington, DC — All four Republicans who represent Iowa in the US House are seeking reelection, including fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra.
Feenstra’s 2024 race is a General Election rematch with Ryan Melton, a Democrat from Webster City. Feenstra’s Republican opponent in the June Primary got 40 percent of the vote and that candidate — Kevin Virgil — endorsed Melton in August. The primary reason? Melton and Virgil both oppose the use of eminent domain to seize land for a carbon pipeline. Feenstra says he’s also opposed to eminent domain, but the pipeline is a state issue, not a federal issue and he calls Virgil anti-agriculture.
[RIkay2024fourth3] :08 :the Democrat Party.”
Melton says he expects to get some protest votes from Republicans. There are 90 thousand more registered Republicans than Democrats in the district and Iowa State University political science professor Dave Peterson says that’s a big advantage for Feenstra. “Melton is running a valiant campaign,” Peterson says, “but he’s just outmatched in this district and Feenstra’s going to win this one pretty easy.”</em>
Melton says his candidacy is partly a party-building exercise, as there are more Democrats in the fourth congressional district running for other offices.
[RIkay2024fourth4] :08 :in our district.”
Feenstra, who is from Hull, says his top priorities for 2025 would be securing the southern border and extending the Trump-era tax cuts.
[RIkay2024fourth2] :04 :balanced budget.”
The fourth district covers 36 counties and includes the cities of Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Spencer, Algona, Fort Dodge, and Marshalltown. It includes all four of our northwesternmost Iowa counties.
