The Iowa Federation of College Republicans announced endorsements in all four Republican primary races for United States Congress on Wednesday.
The group announced it is endorsing Rep. Ashley Hinson in the First District; Bobby Schilling in the Second District; Bill Schafer in the Third District; and Sen. Randy Feenstra in the Fourth District.
“Typically federations haven’t done this in the past,” said IFCR President Chuck Klapatauskas. “We’ve been told it is unprecedented and we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation because we want to see the Party head somewhere and we don’t want to sit on the sidelines.”
While some in the GOP may prefer to see the group stay out of primaries, Klapatauskas said the group is not an entity of the GOP.
“We want to voice our concerns,” he said. “We think that the candidates we have chosen will be the onest who can beat their opponents come this November.
Hinson, he said, seems like a “pretty clear choice” as she is running a “dominant” campaign.
“I have tremendous respect for (former Congressman) Rod Blum and I knew him personally, but she has the energy and the persona that he didn’t in 2018 and we see that as being able to topple Finkenauer in November. She really has a great persona and great commitment and background with the Eastern District.”
Schilling’s win in a traditionally blue district in Illinois gives hope he can do the same in Iowa.
“That will really benefit him,” Klapatauskas said. “That brings an interesting quality to the table that will be needed for this November. We also like that he has proven to be a traditional and whole-hearted conservative on gun rights, social issues and, most importantly, the pro-life movement.”
Like Hinson, Klapatauskas said Schafer possesses a neat and invigorating background. Schafer is bringing a unique energy and qualities “that can beat Axne this fall,” Klapatauskas said.
“Axne has shown she can raise money and beat a traditional Republican,” Klapatauskas said. “We think Schafer will be able to topple that and bring something to the table. If elected to Congress, he can really spearhead a new era of the conservative movement.”
As for the Fourth District, Klapatauskas said Feenstra’s record in the Iowa Senate is “tremendous.”
“With that and the campaign he has run, he’s really able to win that seat from J.D. Scholten, who is going to have a tremendous amount of money and outsiders coming in to try and help win over that seat,” Klapatauskas said.
Schilling said that he is extremely honored to receive the group’s endorsement.
“These young leaders are the future of our party, and I’m proud of the work they do to spread conservatism at Iowa’s universities,” he said. “It takes real courage for Republican students to stand up for what they believe in on campus. Far-left professors and administrators too often single out campus conservatives and try to remove their First Amendment rights through fear and intimidation. I’m proud of Iowa’s College Republicans, and I’m excited to see what this young group does for the future of our conservative movement.”
Schafer also provided comment, saying he too is honored by the support.
“I am truly humbled at the resolve of these young, great Americans who have demonstrated an impressive conviction to their conservative principles and our federal republic,” Schafer said.
