Why Did Iowa Republicans Snub The Trump-Backed Candidate?

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

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