Kyle Larsen, a farmer from the north central Iowa town of Humboldt, has declared his candidacy for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.
Larsen is running as a Republican. He said he’s driven by three things in his life: faith, family and farm.
“Here’s what I want folks to know about me — I’ve never held public office before," Larsen said. "I am running to give a voice to hardworking people across western and north central Iowa. They deserve someone in Congress who has experienced life the way they have."
The farmer and land appraiser announced he wanted to center his campaign around lowering costs, protecting seniors, and ensuring Iowa’s ag-based economy has a strong voice in Washington, D.C.
"Our family farms are hurting and our rural way of life is being threatened by elites in Washington who think they know better," he added. "For too long, career politicians have been thinking only about themselves and how they can win the next election, not what’s best for the country."
Larsen said the 4th District is a top producer of pigs, eggs, soybeans and corn, and can’t afford to be represented by someone who doesn’t understand the challenges of rural life.
“That gets so frustrating, because politicians will keep coming to town hall doors and say, ‘We love our farmers, we support you. We always have your back.’ We hear it over and over again, but do they really think about the family farms in rural Iowa every day? I disagree,” Larsen said. “We, as the state of Iowa, need to make sure that we have someone at the table who cares deeply and will speak very loudly to make sure Iowa agriculture in rural Iowa is heard loud and clear in DC. And that's important to me, and why it's so important that we have a seat at the table.”
He plans to prioritize new economic opportunities, expand market access and protect the rights of landowners. He also wanted to work with President Donald Trump to “Make Rural America Great Again.”
“I am the only candidate in this race who will prioritize serving on the U.S. House Ag committee and ensure that Iowa farmers have a real voice in Congress,” Larsen said. “Whether it’s the Farm Bill, trade, eliminating harmful death and estate taxes, or combating ill-informed activists and social media 'influencers,' these issues need attention, and it’s why I am running.”
Larsen admitted even though President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” isn’t perfect, he said it does provide benefits to farmers, including bigger equipment deductions and increasing the so-called “death tax” from $13 to $15 million.
“As an appraiser, I've personally dealt with this and have explained that someone’s grandparents and parents worked their tails off, built a beautiful multi-generational farm and operation, and it’s worth around $25 million, here's a $6 million tax bill. I think it's completely wrong. It robs the hard-working American farmer, an Iowa farmer, and is very disrespectful, and something we need to fix and work harder to fix,” Larsen added.
There are three Republicans in the race for what appears to be an open seat since incumbent Randy Feenstra is exploring a run for governor in 2026. The head of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Chris McGowan of Sioux City, and state House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley previously announced their candidacies.
“The big thing I want people to know is I'm an Iowa farm kid, born and raised right here in the district in the Humboldt County area. Farming is my roots — I care deeply about it,” Larsen said. I'm very proud that my two little girls will get to be raised right here in the Humboldt community, just as I was. I want to make sure other families get the same opportunities I had, and that there are opportunities for their grandkids as well.”
So far, one Democrat has announced her candidacy — Ashley WolfTornabane, a stay-at-home mom from Storm Lake.
After launching an exploratory committee, Republican state Sen. Lynn Evans of Aurelia dropped out. He plans to seek reelection to the Iowa Senate in 2026 instead.
The 4th Congressional District includes 36 counties in western and northwest Iowa and the cities of Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Ames and Marshalltown.
