What happened
Iowa Republican gubernatorial nominee Zach Lahn skipped a White House event where President Donald Trump announced a new $15 billion steel plant in Iowa. Lahn had a prior fundraising commitment and was unable to attend, despite being in support of the project. The steel plant is expected to create 1,700 permanent jobs and 6,000 construction jobs in Southeast Iowa.
President Trump made the announcement at the White House, with several Republican leaders from Iowa in attendance, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sen. Joni Ernst, and Reps. Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks. The project is seen as a significant investment in the state's economy, which has been struggling.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand also commented on the announcement, calling it a
