Trump Expected to Return to Iowa Ahead of Midterms, GOP Candidate Says

Former President Donald Trump plans to campaign in Iowa again as Republicans gear up for the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to Rep. Randy Feenstra, the Republican frontrunner in the Iowa gubernatorial race, former President Donald Trump is expected to return to Iowa in the coming months to campaign and rally support ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Feenstra said Trump's engagement will "absolutely" benefit Republicans, noting the former president's continued popularity in the state.

Why it matters

Trump's return to Iowa is seen as crucial for energizing the Republican base in a state he carried by 13 points in the last election. With the midterms expected to be a challenging environment for the party in power, Trump's ability to turn out voters could be a major asset for GOP candidates in Iowa and across the country.

The details

Feenstra, who is running for governor, said Trump plans to return to Iowa in August for the state fair, which he described as a "big bash" that the former president will attend. Feenstra also suggested Trump may make additional visits to the state in the lead-up to the midterms. During Trump's latest trip to Iowa, he met with local voters and even prayed with one supporter, according to Feenstra.

  • Trump is expected to return to Iowa in August for the state fair.
  • The Iowa gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who remains a dominant figure in the Republican Party.

Rep. Randy Feenstra

Republican Congressman from Iowa and the frontrunner in the state's 2026 gubernatorial race.

Rob Sand

Democratic state official who is expected to face Feenstra in the 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He's coming back. So we have the 250th anniversary — that's going to be at the state fair. He's come down for that. We're going to have a big bash, it's going to be exciting. That's gonna be a big deal.”

— Rep. Randy Feenstra, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate, Iowa (foxnews.com)

“He turns out voters like nobody else. He had 77 million Americans that voted for him in the last election talking about making America great again. Now he's talking about lowering prices, making things more affordable.”

— Rep. Randy Feenstra, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate, Iowa (foxnews.com)

What’s next

The Iowa State Fair is scheduled to take place from August 13-23, 2026, where former President Trump is expected to make an appearance and rally support for Republican candidates.

The takeaway

Trump's continued popularity in Iowa and his ability to energize the Republican base make his return to the state a crucial component of the GOP's strategy for the 2026 midterm elections. As the party in power typically faces headwinds in midterm cycles, Trump's involvement could provide a significant boost for Republican candidates in Iowa and across the country.