
Why Did Iowa Republicans Snub The Trump-Backed Candidate?
From Left, Right & Center by KCRW
June 5, 2026 · 50 min
About this episode
The episode discusses Iowa Republicans' choice in the gubernatorial primary and the implications of their decision on Trump-backed candidates and immigration policies.
Iowa Republicans picked Zach Lahn over the Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in the gubernatorial primary. Lahn’s a farmer who spoke about the pain of high fertilizer prices and cancer caused by pesticides, earning him support from the MAHA. Was this some rebuke of Trump, or just voters looking for the right person to make their lives better? Critics say ICE detainees face horrific conditions. Trump won over a lot of voters arguing that tough immigration policies were needed to keep the country safe. Does what’s unfolding at these detention centers cross a line? Plus, the President’s short-lived Anti-Weaponization Fund seems to be dead, and one listener asks when AI political ads cross a line. Producer: Leo Duran Host: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee , executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur , senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
People in this episode
Host: David Greene
Guests: Mo Elleithee, Sarah Isgur
Topics covered
- Iowa gubernatorial primary
- Trump-backed candidates
- immigration policies
- ICE detention conditions
- political advertising
- fertilizer prices
- pesticide cancer
Keywords
- Iowa Republicans
- Trump
- gubernatorial primary
- Zach Lahn
- Randy Feenstra
- ICE
- detention centers
- political ads
- fertilizer prices
- pesticides
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, MAHA, ICE
More episodes of Left, Right & Center
- The World Cup Is Getting Outplayed By Politics · June 12, 2026 · 50 min
- Introducing "Intention to Treat: Money and Misdiagnosis" · June 1, 2026 · 25 min
- Senate Control Rides On Paxton, Texas’ Flawed GOP Pick · May 29, 2026 · 50 min
- Trump’s $1.8B Fund Draws Cries of ‘Brazen Corruption’ · May 22, 2026 · 50 min
- The Gerrymandering Rush Is Leaving Voters In the Dust · May 15, 2026 · 55 min
- The Abortion Debate Returns With Risks For Both Parties · May 8, 2026 · 50 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Left, Right & Center podcast page.