The Republican Jewish Coalition is jumping into a closely watched GOP primary in conservative northwest Iowa, directing its lucrative donor network to support a state senator challenging controversial Rep. Steve King.
In backing Randy Feenstra over King, the RJC said it was compelled to act after considering King’s long history of incendiary comments and association with questionable political figures. The group cited King’s endorsement of a white supremacist who ran for mayor of Toronto in 2018 — and an interview with the New York Times the same year in which he appeared to argue that the terms “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” are not offensive.
“We have made it clear for some time that Rep. King does not represent the values of the Republican Jewish Coalition or the Republican Party,” RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said in a statement. The group maintains close ties to President Trump.
King’s staunch opposition to illegal immigration has attracted a national following among conservative activists.
But in the past couple of years, the veteran congressman has come under fire from Republicans in Washington and Iowa for his use of rhetoric deemed racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic. Republicans also have criticized King for associating with anti-Semites. After King limped to reelection in 2018, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California stripped the congressman of his committee assignments.
King claims his comments have been twisted by his political opponents who take issue with his views on immigration and his pro-life stance. In an interview with the Washington Examiner last August, after a town hall meeting with voters in Iowa, King said, “None of my language was offensive.”
The RJC’s endorsement of Feenstra could make a difference if the group’s members answer the call to open their wallets. As of March 31, King’s campaign reported cash reserves of just under $27,000 — a paltry sum that could hamstring the congressman in Iowa’s June 2 primary.
