Campaign Almanac: U.S. Homeland Security chief Noem to speak at Ernst’s Iowa fundraiser

DES MOINES — Kristi Noem, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary and former South Dakota governor, will be a featured guest speaker at Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s annual Roast and Ride fundraiser next month.

Ernst announced earlier this year she will not seek re-election to a third, six-year term in the U.S. Senate.

Ernst’s annual event features a motorcycle ride — the proceeds from which benefit an Iowa veterans-related charity — and a hog roast and rally. This year’s ride will benefit Blue Star Mothers of Iowa, a nonprofit that supports military families.

Noem will participate in the motorcycle ride, Ernst’s campaign said in a press release.

Ernst also will speak at the event, along with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra.

Hinson is campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat that will be open thanks to Ernst’s decision.

Ernst’s 2025 Roast and Ride is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11. The motorcycle ride will once again start at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines and wind its way to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The hog roast and rally will be held at the Fairgrounds’ Elwell Family Food Center.

Tickets to the hog roast and rally will be free to the public, Ernst’s campaign said. Participation in the motorcycle ride costs $23.18. Tickets and more information on the event can be found at iowasroastandride.com.

The 2025 Roast and Ride falls on the event’s 10-year anniversary. Ernst’s first Roast and Ride was held in June of 2015 and has been held annually, with two exceptions: the 2020 event — during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic — featured only the motorcycle ride and smaller rallies across the state, and no Roast and Ride was held in 2021.

“Roast and Ride brings out the best of Iowa — patriotism, community, and the pride of honoring our veterans,” Ernst said in a campaign press release when this year’s event was announced in May. “It’s always a highlight of my year, and I’m looking forward to Oct. 11 for another unforgettable day of Harleys, hogs, and giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.”

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Larsen drops out of 4th District race, endorses McGowan

Iowa 4th Congressional District candidate Kyle Larsen announced Monday he is dropping his election bid and endorsing fellow Republican candidate and Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGown.

Larsen, a Republican farmer and land appraiser from Humboldt who vowed to focus his platform on “faith, family and farm,” cited campaign fundraising headwinds and time away from his family as reasons for suspending his campaign in a press release.

“Rural Iowa is struggling and whoever represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District has to understand that,” Larsen wrote in the press release. “Over the last several months it has become clear that mounting a campaign for this district requires far more funds and time away from family than I can spare. When I entered this campaign, it was to give Iowa agriculture a voice. I still plan to work on state and federal policy, just no longer as a candidate for this seat.”

Larsen launched his campaign in July and was the third Republican to jump into the race after Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra of Hull, who represents the district, announced an exploratory campaign for Iowa governor in May.

Three other Republicans are running for the seat, including Iowa state Rep. Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley, Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes of Ames and Christian Schlaefer of Kossuth County.

Former Democratic State Rep. Dave Dawson of Lawton, Storm Lake stay-at-home mom and former education assistant Ashley WolfTornabane, and Sutherland nurse Stephanie Steiner are running as Democrats.

Windsor Heights mayor endorses Trone Garriott

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Windsor Heights mayor Mike Jones endorsed Sarah Trone Garriott in the Democratic primary for Central Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.

Trone Garriott, a state legislator from West Des Moines, is running for Congress in the district’s Democratic primary against Jennifer Konfrst, a state legislator from Windsor Heights. They are vying for their party’s nomination to challenge Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn.

“There’s too much on the line; we need a candidate who will win this district, and Sarah has a proven track record,” Jones said in a press release from the Trone Garriott campaign. “She’s won battleground elections, first in my district, and now, representing a district that voted for Donald Trump. She’s dedicated to her community, and if we want to beat Zach Nunn and flip the House, Sarah is the candidate who can get it done.”

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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