Republican Ryan Rhodes has launched a campaign for Congress in Iowa's 4th District, saying it's time to "drain and then set fire to the Washington swamp."
“This race isn’t about left versus right — it’s about two very different visions for the future of conservatism,”Rhodes said in a news release. “We’re no longer just talking about tax policy — we’re fighting a spiritual and cultural war for the soul of our country. I will not shy away from those hard truths. I’ll be a relentless voice for faith, family, freedom, and the forgotten men and women of the Heartland.”
Rhodes said he's running on a platform of "no compromise" when it comes to protecting the Second Amendment, recognizing that an unborn fetus has "personhood" rights, defending the border and ending "corporate welfare."
"California could have stayed in California. New York could have stayed in New York," he said in the release. "It’s time to take the fight to them and MAKE AMERICA IOWA!"
Rhodes, a 43-year-old Ames resident, served as the CEO of the conservative social media site Parler before stepping down earlier this year, although he said he still serves on the board.
He also was the founder of the Tea Party in Iowa.
In an interview, Rhodes said he thinks Republican President Donald Trump represents embodies the ideals he set out to champion with the Tea Party movement roughly a decade ago.
"Somebody's finally getting in there, cutting government and trying to get us back on the right direction," Rhodes said. "And I know he has so much more he wants to continue doing, so each new piece of legislation is a new bite of the apple to get the government under control."
Rhodes previously worked for Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson and helped conduct outreach for Michelle Bachmann during their GOP Iowa caucus campaigns.
The 4th District seat is expected to be open in 2026 as current Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra moves aggressively toward a gubernatorial run.
It is the most heavily Republican district in the state, and the GOP primary race will very likely determine who will be elected to Congress.
It has already attracted three other Republican contenders: Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan, Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl and Humboldt farmer Kyle Larsen.
On the Democratic side, Ashley WolfTornabane and Stephanie Steiner have mounted campaigns.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 4th District Republican Ryan Rhodes will run for Congress in 2026
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