Randy Feenstra

Last updated

Lynette Feenstra
​
(m. 1996)​
Randy Feenstra
Randy Feenstra 117th U.S Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Iowa's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Children4
Education Dordt University (BA)
Iowa State University (MPA)
Website House website

Randall Lee Feenstra (born January 14, 1969)[ citation needed ] is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Iowa's 4th congressional district. The district covers the state's western border and its northwestern quadrant, including Sioux City, Ames, Council Bluffs, and Marshalltown.

Contents

A member of the Republican Party, Feenstra served in the Iowa Senate from the 2nd district from 2009 to 2021. He was the Sioux County treasurer from 2006 to 2008.

Feenstra defeated incumbent Steve King in the primary election for the Republican nomination for Iowa's 4th congressional district in 2020. He defeated Democratic nominee J. D. Scholten in the general election by almost 25 points and was sworn into Congress on January 3, 2021.

Early life and education

Randy Feenstra was born to parents Lee and Eleanor Feenstra on January 14, 1969. [1] [2] He is of Dutch ancestry. [3] Feenstra graduated from Western Christian High School, where he played basketball. [4] [5] He received a bachelor's degree in business communications from Dordt University, [6] [7] then called Dordt College, and his MPA from Iowa State University. [8] [9]

Local government and Iowa Senate

Feenstra began his career as sales manager for the Foreign Candy Company, [1] [10] known for being the first US company to import Warheads, later serving as city administrator of Hull, Iowa for seven years. [11] In 2006, he was elected Sioux County Treasurer, replacing Robert Hagey. [11] [12] Randy Jacobsma replaced Feenstra in a 2008 special election, [13] [14] as Feenstra won his first term in the Iowa Senate that year.

Feenstra was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 2008 with 24,595 votes, running unopposed. [15] He was reelected in 2012, again without opposition. [16] He ran for a third uncontested term in 2016. [17] In the Iowa Senate, Feenstra served on the Capital Projects, Fiscal, Tax Expenditure, Transportation, Ways and Means, and State Government Committee. [18]

While serving in the Iowa Senate, Feenstra worked for ISB Insurance in Hull, operated by Iowa State Bank. In 2017, he joined the faculty of Dordt University, after having taught there in an adjunct capacity since 2011. [19] [20]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

In 2019, Feenstra announced he would challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Steve King in the 2020 Republican primary in Iowa's 4th congressional district. His state senate district includes much of the northwestern portion of the congressional district. [21] King, a nine-term incumbent, has a record of making inflammatory remarks, including support of the term "white nationalist." [22] He had been stripped of his committee seats for asking why "white nationalist" was offensive. Feenstra noted this in announcing his campaign, saying that King's "caustic nature" had left the 4th "without a seat at the table." [23]

Republican Party leadership supported Feenstra in the primary. [24] [25] [26] [27] Feenstra raised more money during the primary than King, and was supported by the United States Chamber of Commerce and National Right to Life Committee. [28] Feenstra's candidacy was also supported by conservative political commentator and radio host Ben Shapiro, who donated and urged his Twitter followers to donate to Feenstra's campaign. [29]

Feenstra won the June 2 primary [30] [31] with 45.7% of the vote to King's 36%. [32] [33] Much of Feenstra's margin came from dominating his state senate district, which he carried with almost 75% of the vote. [21] He defeated J. D. Scholten in the general election by a large margin, [34] [35] winning every county in his district except Story County.

2020 Republican primary election for Iowa's 4th Congressional District [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Randy Feenstra 37,329 45.5
Republican Steve King (incumbent)29,36635.9
Republican Jeremy Taylor 6,4187.8
Republican Bret Richards6,1407.5
Republican Steve Reeder2,5283.1
Write-in 1760.2
Total votes81,957 100.0
2020 election for U.S. Representative of Iowa's 4th Congressional District
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Randy Feenstra 237,369 62.0
Democratic J. D. Scholten 144,76137.8
Write-in 8920.2

2022

Feenstra ran for reelection in the district for the 2022 elections. He defeated Democrat Ryan Melton and Liberty candidate Bryan Holder by a wide margin. [37]

2022 election for U.S. Representative of Iowa's 4th Congressional District [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Randy Feenstra (incumbent)186,46767.3+5.3
Democratic Ryan Melton84,23030.4−7.4
Liberty CaucusBryan Jack Holder6,0352.2N/A
Write-in 2760.1
Total votes277,008 100.00
Republican hold

2024

In 2024, Feenstra defeated Kevin Virgil in the fourth district's Republican Party primary, and faced Democratic candidate Ryan Melton for a second time in the general election. [39] [40] Feenstra won 74 percent of the vote and a third term in office. [41] [42]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress: [43]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Iraq

In June 2021, Feenstra was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. [46] [47]

Israel

Feenstra voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. [48] [49]

LGBTQ+

In 2022, Feenstra voted against the Respect for Marriage Act and was the only representative from Iowa's congressional delegation to do so. [50]

Personal life

Feenstra married his wife Lynette in 1996. They have four children. [51] [52]

Feenstra is a Christian. [53]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Latham (politician)</span> American politician (born 1948)

Thomas Paul Latham is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative for Iowa from 1995 to 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party. On December 17, 2013, Latham announced he would not seek reelection next term, becoming the third member of the U.S. House to announce his retirement on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve King</span> American politician (born 1949)

Steven Arnold King is an American far-right former politician and businessman who served as a U.S. representative from Iowa from 2003 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Iowa's 5th congressional district until 2013 and the state's 4th congressional district from 2013 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa's 4th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Iowa

Iowa's 4th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Iowa that covers the western border of the state, including Sioux City and Council Bluffs. Up north, it extends eastwards into Ames, Boone, Fort Dodge, and Marshalltown. It has been represented by Republican Randy Feenstra since 2021, who defeated longtime incumbent Steve King in 2020. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+16, it is the most Republican district in Iowa, a state with an all-Republican congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Mulder</span> American politician

Dave W. Mulder is an American politician and educator who served as a member of the Iowa Senate for the 2nd District from 2005 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa Senate</span> State of Iowa legislative body

The Iowa Senate is the upper house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 50 seats in the Iowa Senate, representing 50 single-member districts across the state of Iowa with populations of approximately 60,927 per constituency, as of the 2010 United States census. Each Senate district is composed of two House districts. The Senate meets at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the state's four U.S. representatives. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. Primary elections were held on June 5, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Taylor (politician)</span> American politician

Jeremy J. Taylor is an American educator and Republican politician. He served a single term on the Iowa House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013, and was a member of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors between 2014 and 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the four U.S. representatives from the state of Iowa, one from each of the state's four congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including Governor of Iowa and United States Senate. Primary elections were held on June 4, 2014. As no candidate won more than 35% of the vote in the 3rd district Republican primary, that nomination was decided at a party convention on June 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the four U.S. representatives from the state of Iowa, one from each of the state's four congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on June 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Iowa</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Iowa, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Primaries were held on June 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the four U.S. representatives from the State of Iowa, one from each of the state's four congressional districts. The elections coincided with the gubernatorial election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The state congressional delegation flipped from a 3–1 Republican majority to a 3–1 Democratic majority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skyler Wheeler</span> American politician

Skyler Wheeler is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as member of the Iowa House of Representatives, representing the 4th district since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. D. Scholten</span> American politician

James Dennis Scholten is an American paralegal, politician and professional baseball pitcher for the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He is from the state of Iowa, and is a member of the Iowa House of Representatives for District 1. Scholten was the Democratic nominee for Iowa's 4th congressional district in the 2018 and 2020 elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the four U.S. representatives from the state of Iowa, one from each of the state's four congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Iowa</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Iowa. Incumbent Republican Senator Chuck Grassley defeated Democratic nominee Michael Franken to win re-election to an eighth term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the four U.S. representatives from the State of Iowa, one from each of the state's four congressional districts. The elections coincided with the other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. These were the first congressional elections held in Iowa after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Iowa gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Iowa. Incumbent Republican Governor Kim Reynolds won re-election to a second full term in a landslide, defeating Democratic nominee Deidre DeJear with 58.0% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Taylor (politician)</span> American political scientist and politician (born 1961)

Jeffrey Taylor is an American political scientist, politician, and a Republican Party member of the Iowa Senate from District 2 since January 11, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on November 5, 2024, to elect the four U.S. representatives from the State of Iowa, one from all four of the state's congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The primary elections took place on June 4, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa</span>

The 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the State of Iowa, one from each of the state's congressional districts. The elections will coincide with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

References

  1. 1 2 Mahoney, Mark (January 12, 2019). "Hull state senator to run for Congress". N'West Iowa Review. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. ↑ Visser, Jeanne. "Feenstra will run for State Senate". Sioux County Index–Reporter. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  3. ↑ Kampeas, Ron (May 20, 2020). "Jewish Republicans tackle a thorny question: What to do about Republicans like Steve King?". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved June 6, 2020. Alternative URL
  4. ↑ Geleynse, Jesse (April 24, 2011). "Iowa legislature needs to continue eligibility debate". Le Mars Daily Sentinel. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ Kilen, Mike (March 15, 2016). "The Iowa town where basketball is king". Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. ↑ Votzmeyer, Colin (November 8, 2022). "Randy Feenstra reelected representative for Iowa's 4th Congressional District". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ "What the 3 candidates running for Iowa's 4th Congressional District say about abortion, guns". Des Moines Register. October 1, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Feenstra touts conservative record in Legislature". The Messenger. May 16, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ Kealey, Katherine (June 3, 2020). "Randy Feenstra beats Steve King in the Republican 4th District primaries". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ Kealey, Katherine (May 24, 2020). "Congressional Republican candidates speak on constitutional rights, abortion and COVID-19". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Hull city administrator now county treasurer", Sioux Falls Argus Leader, September 3, 2006, page 12.
  12. ↑ "Feenstra announces bid for Senate seat". Le Mars Daily Sentinel. March 4, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  13. ↑ "MINUTES OF SIOUX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORSMEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008" (PDF). Sioux County Board of Supervisers. November 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Primary: Voters will select who faces Culver". Sioux County Index Reporter. June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Democrats keep Senate, House". Des Moines Register. Newspapers.com. November 5, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  16. ↑ "2012 General Precinct Vote Totals by County". Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  17. ↑ Hoogland, Steve (November 8, 2016). "Wheeler wins Iowa House seat". N'West Iowa Review. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Senator Randy Feenstra". The Iowa Legislature. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  19. ↑ Lawrence, Tom (August 1, 2017). "Feenstra to become Dordt professor". Sioux Center News. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Feenstra leaving insurance business for college position". Sioux County Index Reporter. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  21. 1 2 J. Miles Coleman (July 30, 2020). "House Primaries: A Little More Action This Year Than Usual". UVA Center For Politics. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  22. ↑ Gabriel, Trip (January 15, 2019). "A Timeline of Steve King's Racist Remarks and Divisive Actions". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  23. ↑ Cillizza, Chris (January 11, 2019). "How in the world is Steve King still in Congress?". CNN. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  24. ↑ Easley, Jonathan (May 17, 2020). "GOP rallies behind effort to defeat Steve King". The Hill. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King gets a GOP challenger, Iowa Sen. Randy Feenstra". Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  26. ↑ Cillizza, Chris (January 11, 2019). "How in the world is Steve King still in Congress?". CNN. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  27. ↑ Hayworth, Brett (April 16, 2020). "Scholten, Feenstra continue to dwarf King in Iowa 4th District congressional fundraising". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  28. ↑ Gabriel, Trip (May 27, 2020). "Despite Racist Remarks, Steve King Might Win Tuesday's Iowa Primary". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  29. ↑ Fisher, Alyssa (January 10, 2019). "Ben Shapiro Condemns Steve King For Asking Why 'White Supremacist' Is Offensive". The Forward. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  30. ↑ Zhou, Li (June 2, 2020). "Embattled Rep. Steve King has lost his primary". Vox. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  31. ↑ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (June 2, 2020). "Steve King loses Republican primary race to Randy Feenstra, ending King's decades long political career". Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  32. ↑ Mutnik, Ally; Arkin, James; Montellaro, Zach (June 2, 2020). "Steve King ousted on historic primary night". Politico.
  33. ↑ Forgey, Quint (June 3, 2020). "Trump congratulates Randy Feenstra for unseating Rep. King". Politico. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  34. ↑ Hayworth, Bret (November 4, 2020). "Feenstra takes office in January after routing Scholten to succeed King in Iowa's 4th district". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  35. ↑ Richardson, Ian; Akin, Katie (November 2, 2020). "Republican Randy Feenstra defeats Democrat J.D. Scholten in Iowa's 4th Congressional District". Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Primary Election - 2020 CANVASS SUMMARY" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  37. ↑ Hernandez, Samantha (November 8, 2022). "Incumbent Republican Randy Feenstra easily wins Iowa's 4th Congressional District race". Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  38. ↑ "2022 General Election CANVASS SUMMARY". November 8, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  39. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (May 30, 2024). "Randy Feenstra, Kevin Virgil spar over conservative credentials before 4th District primary". Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  40. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 4, 2024). "Rep. Randy Feenstra defeats Kevin Virgil in Iowa's 4th Congressional District GOP primary". Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Randy Feenstra defeats Ryan Melton in Iowa's Fourth Congressional District". Des Moines Register. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  42. ↑ Opsahl, Robin; Koons, Cami (November 5, 2024). "Randy Feenstra easily wins re-election to U.S. House 4th District". The Gazette. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Randy Feenstra". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  44. ↑ "MEMBERS". RMSP. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  46. ↑ "House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq War authorization". NBC News . June 17, 2021.
  47. ↑ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 172". clerk.house.gov. June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  48. ↑ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  49. ↑ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  50. ↑ "Vote Smart". Vote Smart. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  51. ↑ "Feenstra launches re-election bid". Chronicle Times. January 6, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  52. ↑ "Iowa Senator Feenstra files for re-election". Chronicle Times. March 7, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  53. ↑ "Feenstra talks faith, more at Unity Christian". January 21, 2023.
Iowa Senate
Preceded by Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 2nd district
2009–2021		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 4th congressional district
2021–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
298th		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.