Iowa Gubernatorial Primary Election — Candidate Comparison
This page presents a side-by-side comparison of candidate priorities and promises in the Iowa gubernatorial primary election.
Candidates:
- Randy Feenstra (Republican) — Candidate in the Iowa gubernatorial primary election
- Eddie Andrews (Republican) — Candidate in the Iowa gubernatorial primary election
- Zach Lahn (Republican) — Candidate in the Iowa gubernatorial primary election
Candidate Priorities and Promises in the Primary Election
The table below compares the publicly stated priorities and promises of candidates competing in the primary election. Information is compiled from official campaign websites, public statements, and other verifiable sources to help voters understand where candidates stand on key issues.
About
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Congressman Randy Feenstra is a husband, father, and fourth-generation Iowan who is running for Governor to take Iowa to new heights. He met his wife of 32 years, Lynette, while working at the local Pizza Ranch and they raised four children together in the same community where they grew up — Hull, Iowa. In his youth, Randy had a paper route and woke up at 3 AM for his job at the local bakery. Randy later worked in the private sector as Head of Sales for a large candy company, taught business at his alma mater, Dordt University, and oversaw the insurance division across several Iowa State Bank branches in Northwest Iowa. He also served as Hull City Administrator, Sioux County Treasurer, and Chairman of the Iowa Senate Ways and Means Committee, where he authored the largest tax cut...
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
Eddie is a husband, father, pastor, and small business owner who has always been driven by a strong sense of community and a commitment to practical solutions that improve everyday lives. Born and raised in Iowa, Eddie understands the hopes and challenges faced by Iowans from all walks of life. Before entering public office, Eddie built a career as a tech entrepreneur and youth mentor, launching programs like #Mentoromics that teach young people coding, entrepreneurship, and leadership. He also founded bilingual and multicultural community groups, driven by a belief that opportunity and belonging should be accessible to all. Eddie was first elected to represent Johnston, Urbandale, Saylor, and Crocker Townships in the Iowa House in 2021. Known for knocking thousands of doors ...
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
Who Is Zach Lahn? Zach Lahn is not a politician but another Iowan like you. He is a father, farmer, and a businessman. He is 6th generation Iowan, his own biggest donor, and does not answer to large corporations or special interest — only to God, his family, and the people of Iowa.
Achievements
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
As part of his committee assignments, Randy was instrumental in writing President Trump’s signature package of tax cuts for working families and included important investments in Iowa’s agriculture industry, including increasing the exemption threshold for the federal death tax. In honor of 21-year-old Iowan Sarah Root who was killed by a drunk driving illegal immigrant, he also led the charge to pass Sarah’s Law, which was the first piece of legislation signed by President Trump during his second term. Sarah’s Law ensures that illegal immigrants who harm or kill American citizens are detained and prosecuted for their crimes. As Governor, Randy’s vision is to accomplish four important goals. He will fight to make Iowa the friendliest state for business and agriculture...
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
In the legislature, Eddie has led on some of Iowa’s most pressing challenges—especially in mental health and education. He played a key role in expanding psychiatric residency programs, strengthening mobile crisis response teams, and providing better support for families facing mental health struggles. Eddie has also been a strong voice for education, advocating for school choice and innovative programs that prepare Iowa’s youth for the demands of the 21st century. He successfully led efforts to raise teacher pay, expand educational options, and authored Iowa’s landmark Parental Rights Bill. Eddie believes that effective leadership starts with listening to every voice—regardless of political affiliation—and working together to find common-sense solutions...
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
Priority 1
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Make Iowa the most business and ag-friendly state: As Governor, Randy’s top priority will be driving down costs and making life more affordable for Iowans. On day one of his administration, he will cut and freeze property taxes for Iowa families, farmers, seniors, and small businesses. On his statewide tour, Randy has heard too many stories from seniors who can’t afford to live in their homes and small businesses who can’t keep their doors open on Main Street because of high property taxes...
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
IOWA FIRST: CORE PHILOSOPHY Iowa First is more than a slogan—it's a commitment to prioritize Iowa families, Iowa-owned businesses, and Iowa's long-term health over corporate interests, out-of-state investors, and political expediency. Iowans deserve things they can count on: a government that prioritizes people, low taxes, clean water, healthy kids, safe communities, and excellent schools. Local ownership and stewardship matter—those who live here care most about our communities...
Priority 2
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Deliver world-class education for our kids: Randy’s parents were both teachers for over 30 years, his wife taught kindergarten for 24 years, and he taught business at his alma mater, Dordt University. In the Feenstra family, education is in their DNA and it’s a passion for Randy. As Governor, Randy will deliver world-class education for our kids from preschool through college. That means we teach the fundamentals of reading, writing, math, and history – not DEI and other political ideologies.
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
COMMON-SENSE CONSERVATIVE POLICIES Protect Life Every life is a gift from God and it is our duty to protect life before birth, as well as after birth by addressing chronic health issues facing our kids. No Benefits For Illegal Immigrants. We will ban benefits for illegal immigrants, and stop issues H1B visas for jobs that Iowans can do in state government and in our universities. Focus On Affordability. Lessening the tax burden on Iowans, food freedom policies and banning Wall Street...
Priority 3
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Keep our kids in Iowa: Randy doesn’t want Iowa’s top export to be our kids. He wants our kids to have the confidence and opportunities to build their lives, jumpstart their careers, and start their families right here in Iowa. That means we must make housing more affordable, lower the cost of childcare, and reduce prices for food, gas, electricity, and energy. For young farmers, Randy wants to ensure they can continue our proud agricultural traditions in Iowa, which is why he led...
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
CONFRONT THE CANCER CRISIS Independent Safety Testing Conduct independent state safety tests on products used in Iowa. Hold Companies Accountable Pursue antitrust suits against monopolistic agricultural input companies to help our farmers. University Research Redirection The University of Iowa (one of the best medical research colleges in the country) must aim its efforts at solving Iowa's cancer crisis. Clean Water Priority Give incentives to our farmers to use prove solution...
Priority 4
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare for all Iowans: Randy was a volunteer EMT for 15 years in his hometown of Hull, so he understands the importance of rapid emergency response and high-quality, affordable healthcare. We need ambulances to arrive in minutes, not hours, when someone has a heart attack or a stroke. That’s the difference between life and death. Randy will also be laser-focused on lowering healthcare premiums, reducing the cost of pharmaceuticals, expanding access to...
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
SAVE THE FAMILY FARM Foreign And Out-Of-State Ownership Restrictions 1. Lower property taxes for Iowans by raising property tax rates on Wall Street institutional investors. 2. Confiscate any land illegally owned by China and sell that land back to young families and veterans. Antitrust Action Against Agricultural Monopolies File antitrust suits against the big agricultural input companies that have formed monopolies and are extorting our farmers. No Eminent Domain For Private...
Priority 5
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Standing up to China: China poses a significant threat to Iowa agriculture and our national security. It’s why Randy has led the fight to ban China and our foreign adversaries from buying Iowa farmland and is working with President Trump to ensure that our family farms are passed from one generation to the next. The Trump administration’s National Farm Security Action Plan also includes Randy’s bill to keep China away from our farmland and punish foreign entities that try to recklessly...
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
MAKE IOWA EDUCATION #1 AGAIN Revoke Teaching Licenses For Political Indoctrination If a teacher is caught pushing a political agenda in the classroom, teaching license will be revoked, period. The Governor Must Be The #1 Advocate For Public School Kids Focus on making public schools so good they are competing with private schools. Innovation Zones Create innovation zones to free up superintendents, principals, and teachers to innovate. End Teaching To The TestEliminate or...
Priority 6
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Keeping our borders secure: Randy knows that we are a nation of laws and our laws must be enforced. That’s why he has worked with President Trump to secure the border, fully fund ICE, and deport violent illegal immigrants after Biden let millions of unvetted migrants into the United States. Randy was also at the White House when President Trump signed the first piece of legislation of his second term, which included his bill – Sarah’s Law – to detain and prosecute illegal immigrants who ...
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
KEEP IOWA'S KIDS IN IOWA Economic Incentives To Stay Create tax rebates for young Iowans who stay or return to Iowa for down payment assistance for home ownership. Solve Our Other Issues, And Our Young People Will Stay And Come Back If we solve the water, cancer, education and farming issues facing our state, Iowa will be the most attractive place in America for our young families to live.
Priority 7
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
Protecting our conservative values and constitutional rights: As a father of four and a Christian, Randy will always protect the right to life, defend the unborn, and promote strong family values. He believes that God creates every life for a purpose and a reason, which is why he helped write and pass the heartbeat bill in the Iowa Senate. Randy will also protect the Second Amendment rights of Iowans because the Constitution is clear – the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
Promise 1
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I will always support our law enforcement and partner with President Trump to support ICE and CBP." March 27, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"I will continue to fight for the rights of private land owners in this state! No EMINENT DOMAIN for PRIVATE GAIN!" March 18, 2026
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
May 20, 2026: "For far too long, rural Iowa has been ignored. As Governor, I will stop sending economic development dollars to multinational corporations and bring real investment back to our small towns and rural communities." @ZachLahn
Promise 2
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I’ll make Iowa the most business- & ag-friendly state in the country. That means lowering input costs, opening new export markets, strengthening crop insurance & supporting homegrown Iowa biofuels. I will always ... March 26, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"I humbly ask for your vote in the June 2 Republican primary to: • Get Iowa education back to #1 • Stop eminent domain abuse • Phase out property taxes with a system that truly works for Iowans • Fix our health crises of cancer ..." March 14, 2026
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
May 9, 2026: "Iowa should have led on this & as Governor we will. There will be a complete moratorium on new data centers and we will end welfare for these $100b companies. If they want to be in Iowa - make us an offer..." @ZachLahn
Promise 3
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I’ll partner w/ President Trump to support our ICE agents & stop liberal cities from putting illegals over Iowans." March 25, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"From getting Iowa education back to #1, mental health access, to ending eminent domain abuse, to lowering property taxes, Iowa deserves leadership that listens and delivers." January 8, 2026
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
April 21, 2026: "When I’m governor, we will reclaim our education system and restore it to the people of Iowa." (Accompanied by a video on teaching freedom.) @ZachLahn
Promise 4
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I’ll work with our producers to make Iowa the most business- and ag-friendly state in the country." March 25, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"I’m running for Governor to cut property taxes that weigh down hardworking Iowans, eliminate wasteful spending so you can keep more of what you earn, and build a government that listens to you, not special interests." November 12, 2025
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
April 18, 2026: "We will lead the fight against Ag monopolies in Iowa when I’m Governor." (In context of antitrust actions against big meat/data services like Agri Stats.) @ZachLahn
Promise 5
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I’ll work to build on the strong foundation that he laid for the conservative movement in Iowa." March 24, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"As a candidate for Governor of Iowa, I’m dedicated to leading the effort to protect property rights by opposing eminent domain abuse from private industries and reforming property taxes with the ultimate goal of eliminating..." October 24, 2025
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
April 15, 2026: "The endless extraction from Iowa is over when I’m Governor." (On ending giveaways to data centers.) @ZachLahn
Promise 6
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I will make Iowa the most business- and ag-friendly state in the country & deliver for the Iowa farmer." March 24, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"And as Governor, I'll work with legislators to expand these freedoms." (in context of medical freedom, parental rights, religious freedoms, and protections against vaccine-related discrimination) October 10, 2025
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
April 9, 2026: "As Governor I will end H1B hiring in Iowa’s Universities & state government. And a criteria for any state contract will be number of Iowans that are employed as a percentage of the company workforce. If you want to be more..."
Promise 7
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I will defend our conservative values and deliver results for Iowa." March 23, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"As Iowa’s next governor I will lead with integrity, openness and transparency." October 2, 2025
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
March 22, 2026: "As Governor, I’ll require full transparency on who owns our land, take back land illegally owned by China, and make Wall Street pay, delivering tax relief to Iowa family farms." @ZachLahn
Promise 8
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
As Governor, I will lower and freeze property taxes for Iowa families, farmers, seniors, and small businesses. By putting more money in people's pockets, we will grow our economy." March 23, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"our #PeopleFirst fight to: ✅ Eliminate unfair property taxes ✅ Protect landowners from eminent domain abuse ✅ Crush violent crime & human trafficking" August 19, 2025
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
March 16, 2026: "As governor, Iowa will lead on ensuring services are reserved for legal citizens. This isn’t even controversial. Benefits are for citizens of our state and country." @ZachLahn
Promise 9
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I’ll protect Iowa’s voter ID laws and keep our elections secure." March 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
"As Governor, I’ll continue this work on a larger scale: ➡ Defending parental rights ➡ Expanding mental health care access ➡ Crushing human trafficking ➡ Eliminating unfair property taxes" July 11, 2025
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
February 19, 2026: "Want to build a data center in Iowa when I’m Governor? Plan to pay 5x the normal property tax rate. And we’ll use those funds to give property tax relief to Iowa residents. Don’t like that..." @ZachLahn
Promise 10
Score: / 22 Randy Feenstra:
"As Governor, I will: ✅Cut & freeze property taxes ✅Make Iowa the most business- & ag-friendly state in the country ✅Deliver world-class education for our kids ✅Keep our kids in Iowa with great jobs & opportunities ✅Deliver..." March 17, 2026
Score: / 22 Eddie Andrews:
Score: / 22 Zach Lahn:
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