Campaign Almanac: Former Iowa U.S. Rep. Rod Blum weighs congressional comeback

• Former Iowa Congressman Rod Blum teases a 2026 comeback bid in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District after Ashley Hinson launches a U.S. Senate run.
• Another Republican enters a crowded GOP primary field for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District seat as GOP incumbent U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra eyes running for Iowa governor.
• Over 20 current and former Iowa Democratic lawmakers endorsed Council Bluffs state Rep. Josh Turek’s U.S. Senate bid
• Republican congressional candidate Matt Windschitl announced formation of an Iowa Agriculture Leaders advisory group to guide his campaign for Iowa’s 4th District seat.

Republican former Iowa U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, who represented Iowa’s former 1st Congressional District from 2015 to 2019, teased a run for Congress in the state’s open 2nd District seat in 2026.

The seat is currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion, who announced on Tuesday she will seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by GOP incumbent Joni Ernst, who hours earlier published a video announcing she will not seek re-election to a third term.

Blum, 70, served two terms in Congress, defeating Democratic former Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy in 2014 in a Republican upset and securing re-election in 2016 before losing to Democrat Abby Finkenauer in 2018.

A longtime software executive and Dubuque native, Blum thanked supporters in a social media post he said had encouraged him to run for Congress again.

The post says, "… it was the honor of my lifetime to represent our district for four years, standing squarely with President Trump and backing his America First agenda. Stay tuned!"

Blum did not immediately return messages sent by The Gazette Wednesday seeking comment.

Hinson’s decision to run for Senate in 2026 sets up a competitive primary contest to succeed her, and could likely draw a large field of contenders. Blum’s entry into the race would bring both name recognition and prior congressional experience to the contest.

No Republicans have formally entered the race, but state Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, said she is weighing a bid. In a social media post, Lundgren praised Hinson as a strong conservative voice and said the district must continue to be represented by an “America First” Republican.

The 22-county district includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque, Decorah, Grinnell and Mason City. Republicans hold a voter registration edge of about 23,000, and former President Donald Trump carried the district by 10 points in 2024.

National Democrats have nonetheless targeted the seat as competitive. Declared Democratic candidates include state Rep. Lindsay James, nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Ball, former Kirkwood dean Kathy Dolter and former state park manager Don Primus.

Schlaefer enters GOP primary for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District

Kossuth County resident Christian Schlaefer is set to formally launch his campaign for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District on Saturday at the Clay County Fair, according a news release.

The 29-year-old farmer, businessman and community leader describes himself as an “uncompromising conservative voice.” The announcement also refers to Schlaefer as a "fresh voice distinct from establishment politics."

In 2024, Schlaefer ran as a Republican in the primary election for the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors. He lost in the primary to Amber Garman, according to reporting by the Sioux City Journal.

Schlaefer joins a growing Republican field seeking the seat currently held by Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, who is exploring and expected to soon launch a bid for Iowa governor after Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she will not seek re-election next year.

Four other Republicans are already running in the Fourth Congressional District: Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes, Siouxland Chamber President Chris McGowan, House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl and Humboldt farmer Kyle Larsen. Former Democratic State Rep. Dave Dawson, Storm Lake stay-at-home mom and former education assistant Ashley WolfTornabane, and Sutherland nurse Stephanie Steiner are pursuing the Democratic nomination.

The sprawling 36-county 4th District, which covers much of western Iowa, remains one of the state’s most solidly Republican strongholds.

Turek picks up endorsements from Iowa legislators in U.S. Senate bid

Council Bluffs Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek’s campaign for U.S. Senate gained momentum this week as more than 20 current and former Democratic Iowa legislators endorsed his bid.

The two-time Paralympic gold medalist, who represents one of Iowa’s most conservative districts, was praised by lawmakers as a tireless advocate for working families. Democrats endorsing his campaign included House Minority Whip Sean Bagniewski, former Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith and state Rep. J.D. Scholten of Sioux City, who suspended his own Senate campaign last month to back Turek.

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"Josh isn’t going to be easily turned away by anything, including special interests in Washington, which is why I’m proud to endorse him for U.S. Senate,“ state Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, D-Waterloo, said in a statement released by Turek’s campaign.

Other supporters cited Turek’s work on health care, particularly Medicaid. Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz said Turek is the strongest messenger on the issue.

“While Joni Ernst and Washington Republicans are putting politics before Iowans — gutting our health care to pay for tax cuts for billionaires — Josh will show up every day ready to fight for every Iowan,” Scheetz said.

Bagniewski called Turek “focused on the issues that matter most to Iowans,” while Jochum said his life story makes him uniquely equipped to represent the state.

Turek has touted strong grassroots fundraising, media exposure and millions of views on his campaign launch video.

Other Democrats campaigning in Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate election are state Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville, Des Moines school board leader Jackie Norris, former chamber of commerce leader Nathan Sage of Indianola, and former state lawmaker and Veterans National Recovery Center president Bob Krause of Burlington.

Windschitl campaign launches Iowa Ag Leaders advisory group

Republican congressional candidate Matt Windschitl on Thursday announced the formation of an Iowa Agriculture Leaders advisory group to guide his campaign for Iowa’s 4th District seat.

The group includes farmers, producers, elected officials and industry advocates from across the state. Windschitl, a Marine Corps veteran and state representative from Missouri Valley, said the council will provide both grassroots support and policy guidance as he campaigns in the heavily agricultural district.

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Windschitl has represented western Iowa in the Iowa House since 2007 and served as House majority leader before entering the race for Congress. He has been recognized as “Legislator of the Year” by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and repeatedly named a “Friend of Agriculture” by the Iowa Farm Bureau.

“As a partner in a fourth-generation livestock and row crop farming operation, I know Matt Windschitl has always been a tireless advocate for agriculture,” said Becky Sexton of Calhoun County, one of the group’s members. “Whether it is fighting through red tape or standing up for rural communities, Matt has your back.”

Other members include state Sen. Tom Shipley of Adams County, state Rep. Shannon Latham of Franklin County, state Rep. Megan Jones of Clay County and more than a dozen producers from across western and central Iowa.

“I’ve always fought for farmers and our agriculture community in the Iowa House, and I’ll continue that fight in Washington,” Windschitl said.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau