MAGA candidate rages over claims he carpetbagged from two states over: 'Complete lie!'

A far-right gubernatorial candidate in Iowa is already facing questions about his residency just after winning the Republican nomination — and is going on the offensive against the accusations.

Zach Lahn, a businessman and farmer running on a platform aligned with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement, is facing criticism for his extensive ties to Nebraska, including taking private flights between the two states on average every six days. The Iowa Democratic Party, along with their nominee, state auditor Rob Sand, have jumped on this, calling Lahn a "carpetbagger" and a "part-time Iowan."

Lahn responded with a manifesto on X Tuesday.

"This is a complete lie," he said. "I'm a 6th generation Iowan living on the same farm that's been in our family for 125 years. I never said anything like this." He added that The Gazette, which covered the controversy, has "already made two corrections to this garbage story. By the time our lawyers get finished, we expect a third."

"Here's the thing: Rob Sand claims to be a different kind of politician, but he started this campaign by lying about me and my children in a deeply personal way," Lahn continued. "Meanwhile, Rob thinks every illegal deserves a place in Iowa. But our family isn't Iowa enough for him? Now you know everything there is to know about who we're really up against in this campaign. Buckle up."

Lahn won the nomination for governor in a surprise upset after key GOP factions split on the race; Trump backed his opponent, Congressman Randy Feenstra, but usual MAGA ally Turning Point USA, the student organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, sided with Lahn.