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Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl announces 4th Congressional District run • Iowa Capital Dispatch [1]

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Date: 2025-07-08

Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl officially launched a run for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District Tuesday, seeking to fill the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra as the congressman considers a gubernatorial bid.

Windschitl, a 41-year-old former Marine from Missouri Valley, has been a longtime member of the Iowa House. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2006 at age 22, and has taken on leadership roles in the years since — he was elected House majority leader in 2019, and previously served as assistant leader and speaker pro tempore for the House GOP caucus.

Now, he is looking at a move from the Iowa House to the U.S. House. In a news release announcing his run Tuesday, Windschitl said he would “bring Iowa’s conservative values to Washington” if elected.

“Our freedoms are constantly under attack from the Left — I will continue to fight to secure our borders, and protect our farmers and families who need a strong advocate to fight against bureaucratic red tape and inflation,” Windschitl said in a statement. “I’m ready to join President Trump and fight back.”

He also thanked Feenstra, the current representative for Iowa’s 4th District, for his work in Congress and more recently for “his critical role in helping pass President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Iowa’s 4th District, covering much of northwest Iowa, is a longtime GOP stronghold, and has been represented by Feenstra since 2021. In the 2020 election season, he won the Republican primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve King, and went on to win the general election against Democrat state Rep. J.D. Scholten — who is now running in 2026 against Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

Feenstra is retiring from Congress to run for Iowa governor. Shortly after Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2026, Feenstra announced an “exploratory” committee for Iowa governor.

Though he has not yet officially announced a shift from “exploring” a run for governor to running for the position, Feenstra has received major endorsements from top Iowa Republicans in recent days. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst endorsed his run for governor Monday and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks gave an endorsement earlier in July. Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, who is running for state auditor in 2026, gave her endorsement for his gubernatorial run Tuesday, saying she supported him “because I know he delivers for Iowa.”

“In the Iowa Senate, Randy and I both voted for tax cuts, increased government efficiency and accountability which all protect the budgets of hardworking Iowa families and seniors,” Cournoyer said. “I look forward to continuing to work with him as State Auditor to help take Iowa to new heights.”

Aiming to take over for Feenstra in the U.S. House, Windschitl said he would focus on conservative policies in Washington, D.C., such as protecting gun access, securing the U.S. border, “standing for life and protecting the unborn,” and pursuing lower taxes.

Two other Republicans are also looking at runs for the 4th District seat in 2026. Iowa Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, announced an exploratory committee for the congressional race in May, and Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan announced his bid for the seat in June. Democrat Ryan Melton, who ran campaigns against Feenstra and lost in 2022 and 2024, had announced his 2026 4th District campaign earlier in the year, but suspended his run in June.

Windschitl said in campaign launch that he was ready to compete for the seat in 2026.

“I’ve never backed down from a fight — not in the Marines, not in the Iowa Legislature, and not now,” Windschitl said. “I’ll bring that same tenacity to Washington to stand up for the people of Iowa.”

As Windschitl aims to move from the Statehouse to Congress, he plans to step down as House majority leader while serving out the remainder of his term representing House District 15, the Des Moines Register reported.

This means Iowa House Republicans must elect a new majority leader. While House GOP officials did not respond to requests for comment about leadership elections, President Donald Trump referred to Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, as “majority-leader elect” during his remarks at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Thursday, July 3.

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[1] Url: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/08/iowa-house-majority-leader-matt-windschitl-announces-4th-congressional-district-run/

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