U.S. Representative for Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District, Randy Feenstra, says he is happy with the proposed redistricting map released Thursday by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency. Each district contains an approximately equal distribution of the state’s population, but District Four would grow from 39 counties to 44 counties, including Sac, Calhoun, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Audubon and Guthrie. Feensta says he was elected in a rural district and that appears unchanged in this redistricting.
One of the most notable differences is the shift of Story County, which is home to Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, to District Two. Feenstra says he will miss having one of the nation’s premier agricultural research institutions as part of his constituency.
Feenstra won District Four by nearly 24 points in 2020 and plans to run for reelection in next year’s midterms. It appears the historically right-leaning district will remain firmly in Republican control under the proposed changes. As for the other three districts, Feenstra does not think the state’s congressional delegation will see any substantial ideological shifts over the next decade.
The public can offer their thoughts on the current redistricting proposal during public hearings next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Details on how to participate in those hearings can be found included below. The state legislature reconvenes Oct. 5 for a special session to vote on the proposed plans.
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https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/publicHearings
