Entrepreneur Adam Steen’s Campaign Focuses on Iowa Manufacturing Amid Outsourcing Controversy
Adam Steen, a candidate in the Iowa governor race, is presenting himself as a staunch advocate for local job creation, despite his company’s decision to outsource production to China. Steen, who is among several Republicans aiming to take over from retiring Governor Kim Reynolds, will potentially face Democratic state auditor Rob Sand in the upcoming general elections, following the June 2 primary.
In the business sphere, Steen is recognized for co-founding 27:3 Outdoors in 2015. This Christian-based hunting supply company gained attention for its turkey fans, an innovative device designed to mimic the natural appearance of turkeys, assisting hunters in their pursuits. Despite the local origins of the idea, the manufacturing process did not stay within state lines.
Steen acknowledged in an Instagram post from October 2025 that these fans are assembled overseas. “When my friend and I invented the turkey fan, we wanted to build it right here in Iowa,” Steen expressed. “But we couldn’t find a local manufacturer willing to take it on. In the end, we were forced to outsource to China, and it made me sick.”
This experience, as detailed on his campaign website, has fortified Steen’s determination to boost manufacturing within Iowa. However, specific strategies for achieving this goal have not been outlined on the platform.
Furthermore, Steen is an outspoken advocate for former President Donald Trump. During Trump’s tenure, a report from Public Citizen noted that 200,000 American jobs were relocated overseas. Steen publicly expressed his appreciation for Trump’s policies, stating, “Thank you President Trump for your fearless leadership and relentless commitment to putting Americans first,” in a post on X last year.
The apparent contradiction between Steen’s campaign message and his business practices was highlighted in a recent campaign advertisement. Promising to “stop China from stealing the American dream,” the ad featured imagery of farmland with the declaration “Keep Iowa Free.” Notably, this footage was sourced from Georgia, not Iowa.
The Iowa governor’s race remains competitive, with The Cook Political Report categorizing it as a toss-up, indicating no clear frontrunner at this stage.
