Earlier this week, conservative Iowa State Senator Randy Feenstra announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives — in the seat currently held by GOP Rep. Steve King:
INBOX: Steve King to face primary challenge from Iowa State Senator Randy Feenstra
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 9, 2019
Big news from Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. Republican State Senator Randy Feenstra announces run for Congress. 9 term Congressman Steve King currently holds that seat. Sets up interesting potential primary matchup for 2020. pic.twitter.com/ilQCdEeCgd
— Dave Price (@idaveprice) January 9, 2019
Full statement from Randy Feenstra, Iowa state senator challenging Steve King in a primary pic.twitter.com/NwwXJ6REkg
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 9, 2019
Feenstra’s announcement should come as welcome news to the GOP, because in case it wasn’t clear before, Steve King has long overstayed his welcome:
Wow, @SteveKingIA. Just… wow.https://t.co/UUhQQmPlgB pic.twitter.com/qH1E7JPf2R
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) January 10, 2019
White supremacist sentiments are sadly nothing new for Steve King, but that statement is jaw-dropping even for him.
What goes through Steve King's head when he says things like this? Does he honestly think this stuff is going to go over well? https://t.co/gNPcKNr1TU
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 10, 2019
Recommended
Whatever’s going through Steve King’s head isn’t good. That much is for damn sure.
JFC
— Moni Sengupta ? (@moshimisen) January 10, 2019
Beyond hope.
— Marcus (@marcuskerr) January 10, 2019
Steve King needs to be run out on a rail.
We have known this about @SteveKingIA for a long time. Can we throw him out already?
— John Paruch Ⓥ (@Paruch_John) January 10, 2019
He's gotta go next primary pic.twitter.com/lAGuJkTQ5c
— Thomas Meagher (@ThMeagher) January 10, 2019
Congress ought to vote to censure him, and then he ought to be primaried ASAP. https://t.co/W2qRdWvAjj
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 10, 2019
Get him as far away from Congress and the GOP as possible. Republicans can — and must — do better than Steve King.
Donate to his primary challenger, Randy Feenstra, here. I plan on doing so. https://t.co/0RJIs63svi
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 10, 2019
***
Update:
King has issued a statement in response to the backlash:
My statement on the New York Times article. pic.twitter.com/IjBHgZYgRD
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) January 10, 2019
Sure, pal.
So now Rep. Steve King is pretending he doesn't know how rhetorical questions work.
“White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” – @SteveKingIA https://t.co/WQtgVJdnZB
— Jeryl Bier (@JerylBier) January 10, 2019
Given his history, we’re not inclined to give King the benefit of the doubt. Just because he rejects the labels doesn’t mean they’re not totally accurate.
***
Related:
‘He’s a disgrace’! GOP Rep. Steve King goes all-in, endorses white supremacist for Toronto mayor
WHOA: NRCC Chair Steve Stivers calls out Rep. Steve King; ‘We must stand up against white supremacy’
Join the conversation as a VIP Member