Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, emerged victorious Tuesday in his primary challenge against a former CIA officer and retired Army Ranger after a fight over who was the more conservative candidate.
Feenstra overcame a challenge from Kevin Virgil, who had tried to take the nomination from the lawmaker. Feenstra is seeking a third term in Congress.
Feenstra had vastly outspent his opponent during the race. As of mid-May, Feenstra had spent $3.3 million on the race and had nearly $1.1 million in the bank.
Virgil spent about $83,000 and had just over $4,000 on hand.
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Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, questions Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young during a House Budget Committee hearing on President Biden's fiscal year 2023 budget on March 29 of 2022. (Rod Lamkey-Pool/Getty Images)
Feenstra touted his record on issues such as securing the southern border, fighting for farmers in the Hawkeye State, standing up to China and supporting Israel. Virgil has criticized Feenstra's votes in favor of aid to foreign countries, including Israel, and said that he opposes doing so unless it is in the country's interest.
“Israel is a sovereign state and has every right to defend itself as well as it should. But I don't think that sending billions of dollars of foreign aid when you often know that the Israeli government doesn't even ask us for help, is a good strategy that puts American interests first,” Virgil said in an interview with CBS News.
Virgil was endorsed by former Rep. Steve King, who represented the area but lost his bid for a 10th term to Feenstra in the 2020 primary. Feenstra is endorsed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
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Virgil said in a recent debate that he decided to run because he believes Feenstra “has quietly proven himself to be one of the worst conservatives in Congress,” according to The Des Moines Register.
But Feenstra told the Register that Virgil is “the liberal between the two of us” and said Virgil hadn't lived in Iowa for years before deciding to return to his home state to run for Congress. Virgil said he planned to return to Iowa for some time.
Kevin Virgil challenged Rep. Randy Feenstra for the Republican nomination in Iowa's 4th District. (Virgil for Congress)
The two have also feuded over energy issues that directly affect the state, including regulations related to ethanol.
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The 4th District is the safest congressional seat for Iowa Republicans. Voters backed Trump in 2020 with 62% of the vote, compared to 36% for Biden. It means Feenstra is the favorite to win the fall general election.
Feenstra will face Democrat Ryan Melton, a candidate he previously defeated handily in the 2020 race.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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