Republican Kyle Larsen is dropping his bid for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District and will instead support candidate Chris McGowan’s campaign for the seat, citing lagging fundraising and wanting more time with his family as his reasons for bowing out of the race.
Larsen, a third-generation farmer and land appraiser who lives in Humboldt, said in a news release Monday, Sept. 29 that he will instead “provide valuable insight on ag issues” to McGowan’s team leading up to the 2026 midterm elections.
He plans to advocate for family farms, rural Iowa and a “robust Farm Bill,” the federal legislation governing agriculture and food policies, including crop insurance and Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Iowa Republican Kyle Larsen announced a run for the 4th Congressional District in 2026.
Larsen had launched his campaign in July with a platform focused on “faith, family and farm” and said he was drawn into the race because Iowa’s agricultural economy “needs a fighter.”
The 4th District race is expected to be an open-seat contest as incumbent U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, eyes a gubernatorial bid. Feenstra formed a gubernatorial exploratory committee in May and has aired ads, signaling his move aggressively toward a formal run.
“Rural Iowa is struggling and whoever represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District has to understand that,” Larsen said. “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.”
Because he entered the race after the fundraising deadline for the second quarter spanning April 1 through June 30, no report will be available until October showing how much money Larsen raised.
Larsen serves as Humboldt County Farm Bureau voting delegate and said he will stay involved in local, state and federal politics, including showing up at the state Legislature to share his perspective with lawmakers.
Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan is running for Congress as a Republican in Iowa’s 4th District.
McGowan, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president, said when he launched his campaign in June that he’s running for Congress because he believes agriculture and small businesses “are the backbone of our national economy.”
“As the only candidates that are married with kids in Iowa, Chris McGowan and I share the same values on family,” Larsen said. ” His dedication to his wife and children shows me he will be loyal to the families of Iowa. Chris shares the same passion for growing our manufacturing economy, ag economy and local Main Street. This allows family farms to prosper and for Iowa families to grow with confidence.”
Other Republicans vying for the 4th District include state Rep. Matt Windschitl, the former Iowa House majority leader from Missouri Valley, and Christian Schlaefer, a software consultant from Lakota.
The Democratic candidates are Ashley WolfTornabane, a stay-at-home mom from Storm Lake who previously was an instructional assistant at her public school district; Stephanie Steiner, another stay-at-home mom who lives outside of Sutherland and previously worked as a nurse; and former state Rep. Dave Dawson, a lawyer who lives in Lawton.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Republican Kyle Larsen drops 4th District bid, backs Chris McGowan
