Here's who Trump has endorsed in Iowa's GOP primary races

Republican President Donald Trump has wielded his considerable influence in a slew of GOP primary races this year, toppling incumbents in favor of more MAGA-aligned candidates across the country.

As the Iowa primaries arrive June 2, Trump is fresh off another winning night in Texas where his endorsed candidate, Attorney General Ken Paxton, defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff election.

In Iowa, Trump's endorsements have been powerful as candidates jockey for position in a range of primary elections. But he's largely stuck to backing Iowa's incumbent Republicans who have supported him in Congress.

Trump weighed in early on a range of primary races, and he offered a last-minute endorsement in the gubernatorial primary just days before the election.

Here's a look at who Trump has endorsed in Iowa's 2026 primary races.

1st Congressional District — Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Trump endorsed Mariannette Miller-Meeks in a Novemebr 2025 social media post, calling her "an incredibly strong advocate" for Iowans in the 1st District.

It was a big endorsement for Miller-Meeks, who had not earned the president's full-throated backing since her initial election in 2020 and has faced some skepticism from the MAGA base.

Miller-Meeks faces a primary challenge from David Pautsch, a businessman and founder of the Quad Cities Prayer Breakfast. Pautsch, a self-proclaimed MAGA Republican, came within 12 percentage points of Miller-Meeks in a 2024 primary race despite raising less than $40,000 and boasting relatively low name identification.

2nd Congressional District — Joe Mitchell

Trump made his endorsement of Joe Mitchell in a social media post just after visiting Iowa for a January 2026 rally, saying "Joe has proven he has the courage and wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful state and nation."

Mitchell, of Clear Lake, is a former state representative and founder of Run Gen Z, a group that aims to elect young conservatives to office. He also worked for the Trump administration as chief of staff at the Federal Housing Finance Agency as well as serving briefly as a regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The endorsement came after State Rep. Shannon Lundgren and former U.S. Rep. Rod Blum ended their Republican primary campaigns. But state Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, remains in the race.

The seat is vacant as Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson runs for U.S. Senate to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst.

3rd Congressional District — Zach Nunn

Trump initially backed incumbent 3rd District U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn for his 2026 reelection effort in May 2025, before Nunn had even formally announced his campaign.

Nunn briefly flirted with running for governor later that summer after Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird took her name out of the running.

But Trump broke the news on social media that Nunn would forego the governor's race and continue his run for the 3rd District, which is one of the most closely contested U.S. House races in the country.

The president again posted his backing for those efforts.

"Just spoke to Great Combat Veteran Zach Nunn, and he is committed to the mission of, HOLDING THE MAJORITY," Trump wrote on social media. "… Zach Nunn has my Complete and Total Endorsement. HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!"

4th Congressional District — Chris McGowan

Trump endorsed Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan in a crowded Republican primary race for Iowa's 4th congressional district.

At the time, McGowan was one of four Republicans vying for the nomination after the seat was vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who is running for governor.

But after Trump's endorsement, the remaining contenders all eventually ended their campaigns, leaving McGowan as the sole 4th District Republican on the June 2 primary ballot.

U.S. Senate — Ashley Hinson

Trump threw his support behind Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson just days after she announced she would run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

Hinson has promised to be Trump's "top ally in the United States Senate."

Trump's backing capped off a flurry of high-profile endorsements that helped solidify Hinson's place as the race frontrunner.

She faces a primary challenge from former state Sen. Jim Carlin, who has pitched himself as the true conservative in the race.

Governor — Randy Feenstra

Trump had not weighed in on Iowa's contested gubernatorial primary for months. But he offered a last-minute endorsement Friday, May 29, to U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra.

It's a coup for Feenstra, who had been working to win over the party's grassroots, MAGA-aligned base — many of whom have viewed Feenstra with skepticism.

"Highly Respected American First Congressman, Randy Feenstra, is running for Governor of Iowa, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024, getting the highest Vote in the History of Iowa," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "Randy is MAGA all the way!"

Four other Republicans are seeking the nomination: state Rep. Eddie Andrews, businessman Zach Lahn, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former state administrator Adam Steen.

Each of the candidates has cast himself as a MAGA conservative, with Feenstra in particular working to align himself with the president. Feenstra's advertising features Trump prominently, and he boasts about working with Trump to write portions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

(This story has been updated to add new information)

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She writes about campaigns, elections and the Iowa Caucuses. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.