Randy Feenstra


Randall L. Feenstra is an American politician and businessman serving as a member of the Iowa Senate from the 2nd district since 2009. A Republican, he was Sioux County Treasurer from 2006 to 2008. He is the Republican nominee for Iowa's 4th congressional district in the 2020 election, having defeated longtime incumbent Steve King in the primary on June 2.

Early life and education

Randy Feenstra was born to parents Lee and Eleanor Feenstra on January 14, 1969. He is of Dutch ancestry. Feenstra graduated from Western Christian High School, where he played basketball. He received a bachelor's degree from Dordt University, then called Dordt College, and his MPA from Iowa State University.

Career

Feenstra began his career as sales manager for the Foreign Candy Company, later serving as city administrator of Hull, Iowa for seven years. In 2006, he was elected Sioux County Treasurer, replacing Robert Hagey. Randy Jacobsma replaced Feenstra in a 2008 special election, as Feenstra won his first term in the Iowa Senate that year.
Feenstra was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 2008 with 24,595 votes, running unopposed. He was reelected in 2012, again without opposition. He ran for a third uncontested term in 2016. In the Iowa Senate, Feenstra has served on the Capital Projects, Fiscal, Tax Expenditure, Transportation, Ways and Means, and State Government Committee.
While serving on the Iowa Senate, Feenstra worked for ISB Insurance in Hull, operated by Iowa State Bank. In 2017, he joined the faculty of Dordt University, after having taught there in an adjunct capacity since 2011.

2020 U.S. House campaign

In 2019, Feenstra announced he would challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Steve King in the 2020 Republican primary in Iowa's 4th congressional district. His state senate district includes most of the northern portion of the congressional district. King, a nine-term incumbent, has a record of making inflammatory remarks, including support of the term "white nationalist." Republican Party leadership supported Feenstra in the primary. During the course of the primary, Feenstra raised more money in contributions than King, and was supported by the United States Chamber of Commerce and National Right to Life Committee. Feenstra's candidacy has also been supported by conservative political commentator and radio host, Ben Shapiro, who urged his Twitter followers to donate to Feenstra's campaign. Feenstra defeated King in the June 2 Republican primary. Feenstra received 45.7% of the vote, whereas King received 36% of the vote.

Personal life

Feenstra married his wife Lynette in 1996. The couple has four children.