ALTOONA — Former congressman Steve King threw his support behind Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn at a campaign event in Altoona, contending that Lahn is the only conservative in the race with momentum.
“There’s one conservative that’s got momentum. There’s one conservative that’s got the resources to fight this out to June 2nd, and do a good job of it,” King said at the Thursday, April 23 event.
Lahn, who is funneling $1 million into television advertising, is one of five Republicans running in the June 2 gubernatorial primary race.
He will be joined on the ballot by state Rep. Eddie Andrews, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former state administrator Adam Steen.
“That was an honor for me,” he said after King introduced him at the event, noting that King had been his congressman growing up.
“You don’t back down,” Lahn praised King. “You have a spine and a backbone. You stand for what you believe in, and you are not for sale. Thank you for your service to the state of Iowa.”
King served nine terms in the northwestern 4th Congressional District until he was unseated by Feenstra in a primary race.
King has a long history of inciting controversy with comments about race, immigration and more. He was ultimately stripped of his committee assignments after reportedly telling the New York Times: “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?”
King denied supporting white nationalism and white supremacy at the time.
The former congressman has remained popular in MAGA-friendly Iowa since his ouster, particularly for his advocacy opposing the use of eminent domain for the construction of a proposed carbon capture pipeline.
He said he’s confident Lahn would also oppose the use of eminent domain for the project if he’s elected governor.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She writes about campaigns, elections and the Iowa Caucuses. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Steve King endorses Zach Lahn in Iowa governor’s race
Reporting by Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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