Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn is pitching new opportunities for family farms and young Iowans while defending his running mate amid questions about the candidate’s finances.
About 70 people attended Lahn’s meet and greet Friday at the Cobblestone Ballroom and Events Center in Lakeside. The Belle Plaine farmer and businessman used his speech to outline his “Iowa First” agenda, focusing on agriculture, education, water quality, health and keeping the next generation in Iowa.
One proposal he discussed is gradually increasing the share of food served in Iowa’s public schools that comes from Iowa producers, with a long-term goal of reaching 80 percent.
Lahn has argued that schools and other public institutions could create new markets for Iowa farmers, particularly livestock producers, if purchasing practices were changed to make local products more accessible.
Lahn said farmers are facing difficult economic conditions and that the state needs to address the pressures threatening family operations.
Lahn has argued that expanding opportunities for local producers, improving competition in agricultural markets and helping young people establish roots in Iowa are important to the state’s long-term future. His campaign platform includes a goal of creating 10,000 new family farms over four years.
Lahn’s broader agenda also includes improving Iowa’s water quality and addressing the state’s cancer rates. His campaign proposals call for more incentives for conservation practices, additional Iowa-focused cancer research and a stronger role for state universities in investigating potential environmental and agricultural factors.
After the speech, Lahn spoke with Storm Lake Radio in a media interview, where questions turned to immigration and assimilation.
Lahn said people who come to the United States should be proud of their heritage but embrace American identity and values.
Lahn used his own family’s German ancestry to make his point, saying his ancestors retained their German surname’s spelling but adopted American pronunciation and stopped speaking German as they assimilated into American society. He said he believes the country needs a stronger shared commitment to American identity and individual liberty.
Lahn also addressed questions about his running mate, Derek Wulf, who has faced scrutiny over reported financial difficulties and lawsuits tied to his farm.
A recent report by Iowa Starting Line cited text messages showing that a conservative political operative warned a Lahn campaign staffer about lawsuits involving Wulf on the day Lahn announced him as his running mate. The report also described subsequent discussions among campaign-connected figures about other possible candidates for the position. Court filings and a court-appointed receiver’s report have raised further questions about Wulf’s financial situation.
When asked about the messages and the controversy, Lahn first declined to comment on the specific matters raised. He then defended Wulf and questioned the motives behind the criticism.
Asked what has stood out to him during his campaign stops, Lahn criticized news coverage of the race but told Storm Lake Radio he believes his campaign is generating grassroots interest.
Lahn is facing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand in the Nov. 3 general election to succeed Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is not seeking reelection.
