The 10 Republican candidates who have filed to run in the 2026 primaries for the GOP nomination for Iowa governor or District 4 U.S. representative are scheduled to appear later this month in a candidate forum hosted by the Ida County Republican Party. The program will be held on Monday, Nov. 24, at the Cobblestone Event Center in Holstein and will be hosted by current Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate. The slate of gubernatorial contenders includes District 43 State Rep. Eddie Andrews, District 4 U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, former District 91 State Rep. Brad Sherman, venture investor Zach Lahn, and former Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen. Congressional candidates include: Douglas Jensen, an Air Force veteran and construction executive; Chris McGowan, an Iowa Air National Guard veteran and economic development professional; Ryan Rhodes, who founded the Iowa Tea Party and previously served as Parler’s CEO; Christian Schlaefer, a farmer and businessman; and current District 82 State Rep. Matt Windschitl. Presale tickets are available for $15 through Nov. 15 by emailing lori@iowafrw.org. Prices increase to $25 after Nov. 15. The evening begins with dinner at the center at 5:15 p.m. on Nov. 24, with the forum starting at 6 p.m.
