“We cut back on red tape, we streamlined government, we balanced the budget, we put parents back in charge of their kids’ education, we backed our law enforcement,” Gov. Kim Reynolds told the roughly 120 people gathered at Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S.

“Today, I would say without hesitation that Iowa is stronger and we’re more competitive than ever before,” she said.

Reynolds is not seeking reelection next year.

“I need a Republican in the governor’s office when I go home to my grandchildren,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, addresses local Republicans Monday night at the Ken and Jane Rasch Chili Feed. He is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, but he focused on national issues in his remarks.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, hopes to be that Republican. He is seeking the party’s nomination for governor.

But during his remarks to the gathering Monday, he spoke mostly about national issues, including the federal government shutdown.

He said the shutdown happened because congressional Democrats want all illegal aliens to have access to Medicaid, the federal and state health insurance program for the poor and disabled.

Feenstra also said that the Democrats want to give federal subsidies for ObamaCare insurance to people who make $350,000 or more.

“This is ridiculous,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talks about how the state’s farmers lead the way in voluntary adoption of conservation practices during his remarks at the Webster County Republican gathering Monday night.

He blamed the shutdown on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-New York.

Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, said he has met with President Donald Trump and learned of his support for Iowa.

“We are among his favorites,” Kaufmann said.

State Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said he sees good things in the future for Iowa.

“We’re in a position to grow as a state because we kept our financial house in order,” he said.

He said that in addition to leading the way in various farming metrics, the state is also No. 1 in voluntary adoption of conservation practices.

“We do that with a conservative approach working with our farmers,” Naig said.

Amid the elected officials addressing the crowd was Mike Sexton, who until 5 p.m. Sept. 19 was a state representative and chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He resigned that position to lead the United States Department of Agriculture’s rural development program in Iowa. He said he was furloughed by the government shutdown after being on the job for just seven days.

He said it was a hard decision for him to leave the legislature for the federal post.

“Thank you Webster County for making my legislative career a success,” he said. “Thanks for all the years of being behind me.”

Also during the event, Joe West, of Fort Dodge, was presented with the Tom Latham Award for his longtime support of the Webster County Republican Party.

Other speakers at the event were Secretary of State Paul Pate; state Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge; state Rep. Ann Meyer, R- Fort Dodge; Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener and Steve Scheffler, who represents Iowa on the Republican National Committee. Webster County Supervisor Austin Hayek gave the opening prayer.