Iowa Republican Christian Schlaefer announced his candidacy for the 4th Congressional District, saying he believes the people of Iowa are calling for change.
Schlaefer, 29, works as a software consultant and serves in his community as a firefighter and guest preacher. He and his wife, Lexis, live in Lakota, where they own a homestead.
Schlaefer said one of his top priorities is immigration.
“I think we need a major restructuring of our current immigration policies, including an immediate moratorium on immigration and a reassessment of what that means to make sure that all of the rest of our policies that also affect our daily lives are really putting Americans first, and that those things aren’t being usurped or misdirected,” he said. “Because we’re dealing with an unprecedented immigration situation in this country.”
Schlaefer said he also plans to discuss the proposed Summit carbon capture pipeline that is slated to run through the 4th District. He said he’s keenly aware of the effects on residents because it is proposed to cross his property.
“This will affect me directly as an individual,” he said. “So I think it’s very important that we continue to advance Iowan energy, American energy as a whole. But I do think we need to be very careful about using eminent domain or the federal government or the state government overstepping its bounds and disrupting the lives of everyday Americans.”
Schlaefer is the latest Republican to jump into the crowded primary field after Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra announced he would instead explore running for governor.
Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan, Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, Humboldt farmer Kyle Larsen and Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes have all previously announced campaigns.
The district is Iowa’s most heavily Republican congressional seat.
Schlaefer acknowledges he’s not the best-known candidate in the race. And he said he’d be challenging his fellow Republican primary competitors to a debate so voters can see for themselves where candidates stand.
“I think the people of Iowa are calling for the change that I’m spreading in my message,” he said. “I think we’ll allow the voters to sort that one out. But I also think we shouldn’t drag this on. I don’t think anybody in Iowa wants this to become a race of big money, of money pouring in from out of state, of people who don’t care about our issues and maybe want to prop up a candidate who doesn’t have their best interest in mind.”
On the Democratic side, Ashley WolfTornabane and Stephanie Steiner have mounted campaigns.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Republican Christian Schlaefer announces 4th District congressional campaign in 2026
Reporting by Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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