Lahn touts Trump endorsement, Hinson cites Democrats’ optimism at GOP dinner

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds rallied Iowa Republicans Friday at the Republican Party of Iowa’s annual Lincoln Dinner fundraiser in Des Moines.

Reynolds touted her efforts in trying to turn out Republicans for November’s general election, saying that she plans to visit all 99 counties before her term ends.

“We’re going to do one last 99 county tour before I’m done because I really miss being out in the state and just connecting with people,” Reynolds said. “They fire me up. They give me energy. I’m anxious to get back out on the stage and spend some time just saying thank you to Iowans.” 

The event at Hilton Des Moines Downtown was part of the “Governor Kim Reynolds Legacy Tour,” a series of events aimed to commemorate Reynolds’s time as governor. Reynolds is not seeking reelection and will retire at the end of her term in 2027.

Jeff Kaufmann, Republican Party of Iowa chair, hosted a “fireside” chat with Reynolds. Other prominent statewide Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, also spoke at the event.

Kaufmann opened the speaking session by railing against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, saying he is “afraid” to be a Democrat and is “running away” from his party in his campaign.

Kaufmann added that Republicans like Lahn and Hinson are proud to be party members, and will encourage voters to support the party’s cause.

Protesters criticize Lahn

Before the event, more than 40 protesters gathered outside of the Hilton, waving signs that called out Lahn for publicly supporting Reynolds’s job as governor.

“We need a change in Iowa,” Des Moines resident Deborah Gadlin said during the demonstration. “We don’t want to be number one in cancer. We don’t want to be last in economic growth, we don’t want to have terrible education, we don’t want to have water that you can’t drink. We don’t need a Kim Reynolds 2.0.” 

Lahn did not directly respond to the protesters during his speech, but doubled down on his support for Reynolds, thanking her for her service.

“You passed the largest tax cut for the middle class in the history of our state, and you passed school choice reform,” Lahn said. “That’s the envy of so many states in the nation. We have so much to thank you for, and I thank you.”

In addition to tying himself to Reynolds, Lahn also touted the endorsement he received Friday from President Donald Trump.

“I will tell you, something very special happened today to me,” Lahn said. “A boy who grew up north of Sioux City in a small town of less than 300 people. I was endorsed for this campaign by President Donald J. Trump.”

Trump had endorsed one of Lahn’s opponents, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, in the GOP primary election.

Lahn added that he treats the opportunity to run for governor as a sense of duty, saying he is a political outsider who “stands on the shoulders of the people.”

“So as I stand here, I say as someone who is standing on the shoulders of people, it’s not a prize that I’ve won, but a great responsibility that I’ve won,” Lahn said.

Hinson says D.C. Democrats are ‘optimistic’ about Iowa

While introducing Hinson, Kaufmann claimed that her opponent, Democratic Rep. Josh Turek, had missed 60% of his votes in the Iowa House, including the state’s version of the farm bill.

“In fact, he was saying the other day he wants an eye on the farm bill, and when he gets to Washington, D.C., he’s going to make sure there’s a farm bill. Guess what? He missed the vote on the farm bill in the Legislature,” Kaufmann said. “I mean, talk about hypocrisy.”

During her speech, Hinson criticized Turek’s alleged connection to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, saying Schumer is willing to spend “unlimited” money on the Iowa Senate race.

“Let me be very clear here. Chuck Schumer is on the ballot this year, and he goes by the name of Josh Turek,” Hinson said. “We’re not going to let him win.”

Hinson said Democrats in Washington, D.C., are optimistic that the party could make gains in Iowa, warning against “dark money” spending.

“Some Democrats in Washington see this as their greatest opportunity this year to take back not only the Senate seat and our congressional seats, but the governor’s mansion as well,” Hinson said. “Chuck Schumer is ready to spend unlimited amounts of money here in Iowa. In fact, he spent more than $10 million through a super PAC to try to get his preferred candidate across the finish line. That’s more money that they spent on any other candidate in the entire country. That’s a pretty good signal of what they’re willing to do to try to take this place back.”

Earlier Friday, Hinson claimed Turek supported California Proposition 12, which imposes livestock confinement regulations on meat products sold in the state. Turek’s campaign denied he supports the California law but acknowledged he opposes Hinson’s proposed “Save Our Bacon Act,” which he said was “pro-China” and is jeopardizing approval of a new federal farm bill.

Branstad honors Reynolds

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who has been dealing with health issues, recorded a video, which was played at the fundraiser alongside videos from current GOP governors and Trump administration officials, thanking Reynolds for her service as governor.

“We worked together to get the state’s financial house in order and focus on the things that are important: economic development and education,” Branstad said. “When I was chosen by President Trump to be ambassador to China, I felt confident the state was in good shape, and she sure proved herself when the COVID crisis hit.” She did a great job of keeping us informed, keeping our schools and businesses open. Congrats to Kim Reynolds on being an outstanding governor and making Iowa a better place.”

Reynolds thanked both Branstad and his wife, Christine, for being mentors, and for Branstad choosing her as his lieutenant governor.

“We got to have lunch with Terry and Chris this afternoon. I was very blessed to have an amazing mentor and friend, and somebody that really both of you that just really gave us an opportunity to really step up and serve together,” Reynolds said. “We’re so blessed and so fortunate.”