Fourth Congressional District candidates were allowed to ask another candidate a question during Tuesday’s debate. Randy Feenstra was the target of the other three candidates who participated.
It started with an exchange between Congressman Steve King and Feenstra over the Heartbeat bill and whether Feenstra would criticize National Right to Life for fighting against the Heartbeat bill at the federal level.
Feenstra, who was endorsed by National Right to Life, never answered the question. He also never disagreed with the premise of the question.
You can watch that exchange:
The candidates were asked about exceptions for abortion. Jeremy Taylor pointed out that Feenstra’s life at conception bill wasn’t about life or leadership, it was about Feenstra.
He highlighted Sen. Jake Chapman’s bill from two years earlier. Chapman had 20 cosponsors.
Feenstra ignored the criticism of his life at conception bill.
“But like with Congressman King, that’s not an answer to the question. Just wanted to note that,” Taylor said.
Bret Richards asked Feenstra about term limits and if Feenstra would support term limits.
Feenstra started his answer, and Richards asked if there was a number.
“What is the number for Congress,” he asked.
“I believe 12 years is very sufficient,” Feenstra said.
“Ah, that’s not what I asked. See, that’s the politician answer,” Richards said.
“I’ll come back in 12 years,” Feenstra said.
“Thank you, got him to answer one,” Richards said.
For what it is worth, when Feenstra was first elected to the Iowa Senate, he told the Sioux County Index Reporter:
“I’m in this as a career. I want to make a difference in politics. This is not my last stop. I want to work my way into leadership.”
Finally, Taylor asked Feenstra about putting politics above principles. He referenced a vote on expanding sports gambling. Feenstra had said he would not allow the bill to be brought forward in committee in 2017 as it was a major expansion of gambling.
However, in 2019, Feenstra not only allowed a bill that legalized fantasy sports in his committee, but it also legalized sports betting.
And not only did he allow it in committee, but he also voted for it in committee only to turn around and vote against it on the floor.
There was one major change from 2017-2019. Well, two.
One, Feenstra decided to run for Congress.
And, two, Christopher Rants set up the Iowa Four PAC to help Feenstra’s congressional run.
Rants is also the head lobbyist in Des Moines for fantasy sports companies.
