Lanon Baccam wins Democratic primary for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, AP projects

The Associated Press projects Randy Feenstra as the GOP primary winner for Iowa's 4th Congressional District

Rep. Randy Feenstra and Kevin Virgil were both vying for the Republican nomination on Tuesday. 

Virgil is passionate about border security. He’s interested in cracking down on NGOs he says are financially supporting illegal immigration. He’s also for a constitutional amendment that would get rid of birthright citizenship.   

“Any child who’s born in the United States, regardless of the status of their parents, automatically becomes an American citizen," Virgil said. "Only one out of six countries in the world have that policy and we’re supposedly the most advanced country on earth. I don’t think that’s productive."

Virgil says that policy needs to be altered so that the U.S. brings in "the right kinds of immigrants," which he defined as people who can be productive members of society. 

When discussing Israel and Palestine, Virgil voiced support for Israel, saying the country has the right to defend itself and is taking the correct course of action. 

Feenstra is also invested in border security. He says every state is a border state.

When discussing border policy, he highlighted strategies such as building a wall, keeping the "remain in Mexico" policy, stopping the "catch and release" policy and changing border agents' pay.

Inflation is another top issue for Feenstra. He says the trick is cutting spending. 

“I just think of these agencies that are out of control, from the EPA to the IRS to the Department of Revenue," Feenstra said. "They’re their own little silos. They continue to create rules and, when they create rules, they need more money."

Feenstra also hopes to strengthen the agriculture industry, especially by expanding biofuels.

". . .We have to look at what Iowa has to offer and that's biofuels," he said. 

Expanding the export market is another part of that equation. 

RELATED: Laura Snider speaks about her bid for Iowa's 28th House district

Lanon Baccam has won the Democratic primary for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, the Associated Press projects

Rep. Zach Nunn is running unopposed for the Republican nomination in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. Nunn defeated former Rep. Cindy Axne in November of 2022. If reelected in November, Nunn would move on to his second term. 

Meanwhile, Melissa Vine and Lanon Baccam competed for the Democratic nomination. 

In previous conversations, Vine has focused on abortion access and livable wages. 

Baccam previously told Local 5 about his experience working across the aisle, as well as his background as a veteran, a first-generation immigrant and a leader at the USDA.

"I hope this campaign paves the way for more women and more moms and more people who aren't represented in Congress to run," Vine told Local 5 following Baccam's projected victory Tuesday night.

RELATED: Iowa Ethics Board orders Melissa Vine campaign, former manager to pay $500 each

The Associated Press projects Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has won the Republican primary for Iowa's 1st Congressional District. 

David Pautsch and Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks are competing for the Republican nomination in Iowa's 1st Congressional District.

Pautsch describes himself as a conservative constitutional Republican. He voiced interest in making abortion across the board illegal at a federal level.

“Whatever it takes to implement the obvious. It shouldn’t even be an issue," he said. "Our forefathers would have absolutely been rolling in their graves to think that there’s even a question of whether you want to protect life in the womb."

Additionally, Pautsch is looking at overhauling the criminal justice system. 

"One of the biggest tests is to have litmus tests for judges," Pautsch said. "You ought to be able to figure out what a woman is. You have a Supreme Court justice who said she couldn't even answer the question."

Pautsch also wants people to get charged and sentenced more quickly in the legal system.  

He added that he believes the state and the U.S.'s morals should be based on Judeo-Christian ethics, speaking out against the Satanist display being allowed at the Iowa Capitol.   

“Our state does not honor Satan. Simple fact," he said. "It’s not an issue of ‘Oh, they have a First Amendment right for these sorts of things.’ This is where moral neutrality creates stupidity."

Pautsch does not believe Supreme Court justices should be making enforcement decisions through the lens of "moral neutrality."

Local 5 has reached out to Miller-Meeks, the incumbent, but she has not responded. 

Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican, and Sarah Corkery, a Democrat, are both running unopposed for their parties' nominations. 

Hinson has held the seat since November 2022.