Iowa Rep. Steve King, Who Supported White Nationalist Views, Defeated In Republican Primary

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who advocated white nationalist views in Congress, lost the Republican primary on Tuesday to Iowa State Sen. Randy Feenstra (R), ending his nearly 20-year long tenure in the House.

Feenstra secured 46% of the vote compared to King’s 36%, with 96% of precincts reporting.

King has recently faced bipartisan criticism after asking why the terms “white supremacist” and “white nationalist” became offensive. His comments prompted the GOP to remove him from the Judiciary and Agriculture committees.

Feenstra capitalized on King’s removal from the committees, labeling himself as an effective legislator who would support President Donald Trump.

“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support over the past 17 months that made tonight possible and I thank Congressman King for his decades of public service,” Feenstra said in a statement. “As we turn to the General Election, I will remain focused on my plans to deliver results for the families, farmers and communities of Iowa. But first, we must make sure this seat doesn’t land in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress.”

Feenstra’s win increases the chances of the seat remaining in the hands of the GOP, but he will nonetheless face off in November against two-time Democratic challenger J.D. Scholten.

King blamed his loss on “an effort to push out the strongest voice for full-spectrum constitutional, Christian conservatism” in Congress.

In a video posted on Facebook, announcing his concession, King said Feenstra might have a more difficult time in the House than he anticipates.

“I called Randy Feenstra a little bit ago and I conceded the race to him and I pointed out that there’s some powerful elements in the swamp that he’s going to have an awfully hard time pushing back against,” King said.