MAHA Farmer Beats Trump-Endorsed Congressman in Iowa Governor Primary

It was MAHA versus MAGA in the Iowa Republican primary for governor, with the movement backed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. beating a candidate backed by President Trump.The Make American Healthy Again movement celebrated the upset win by Zach Lahn, a farmer and businessman over Congressman Randy Feenstra. Mr. Trump gave a late endorsement to Mr. Feenstra, calling him “MAGA all the way” but it wasn’t enough to protect his job.The race showed divisions in different constituencies in Mr. Trump’s base. Mr. Lahn was the first candidate the MAHA Action advocacy organization has endorsed. He has promised “Clean food. Clean water. Honest medicine.” Mr. Lahn has also called for a ban on all mRNA vaccines, another MAHA priority.The MAHA movement has been critical of some decisions by the Trump administration. Mr. Trump in February signed an executive order shielding manufacturers of the weedkiller glyphosate from litigation. Many “MAHA moms” have blamed the herbicide for causing cancer.Mr. Lahn has called cancer a crisis and says the state has the fastest growing cancer rate in the world. “We all know something is terribly wrong,” Mr. Lahn said during his victory speech Tuesday evening.“Thrilled with @ZachLahn win! No one should doubt the power of the MAHA voter – we proved it in Iowa,” activist Kelly Ryerson — known online as Glyphosate Girl — said in an X post.Turning Point Action, the political wing of the organization Charlie Kirk founded, endorsed Mr. Lahn on the same day that the president backed Mr. Feenstra.“Congratulations to Zach Lahn on his victory! He will be a great Governor for all Iowans,” Erika Kirk said in an X post.Mr. Kennedy had visited Iowa two weeks ago to join Governor Kim Reynolds for the signing of MAHA legislation aimed at improving nutrition and addressing the root causes of chronic disease.Prediction market Kalshi had Randy Feenstra with an 80 percent chance to win the primary.Mr. Lahn will face State Auditor Rob Sand in November’s general election. Mr. Sand is the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Iowa. The winner will replace Governor Kim Reynolds, who decided not to seek a third term.Democrats are hoping that Mr. Lahn’s win will increase their chances of taking the governorship. They’ve already started to paint Mr. Lahn as a carpetbagger who spends more time in Kansas than in Iowa. Mr. Lahn flies frequently between the two states to visit children he has from a previous marriage.

MAHA Farmer Beats Trump-Endorsed Congressman in Iowa Governor Primary

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