Adam Steen’s Iowa Campaign Faces Criticism Over Outsourcing to China

Candidate Adam Steen Faces Scrutiny Over Outsourcing

Entrepreneur Adam Steen is promoting his candidacy for governor of Iowa by emphasizing his background in job creation. However, his business history, involving outsourcing production to China, raises questions about his commitment to local manufacturing.

Steen is among several Republican candidates aiming to replace the outgoing Governor Kim Reynolds. The primary set for June 2 will determine who will contest against the Democratic state auditor, Rob Sand, in the upcoming general election.

In 2015, Steen co-founded 27:3 Outdoors, a business focused on hunting supplies and distinguished for its turkey fans. This device helps hunters by simulating the appearance of turkeys, enabling them to approach the birds more closely. The venture, rooted in Christian values, faced challenges in local production, as Steen admitted in an October 2025 Instagram post.

“When my friend and I invented the turkey fan, we wanted to build it right here in Iowa,” Steen wrote. “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.”

Steen shares this narrative on his campaign website, using it to emphasize his determination to boost Iowa’s manufacturing sector. However, his site lacks specific policy proposals to achieve this vision.

The candidate’s political stance includes strong support for former President Donald Trump. According to Public Citizen, 200,000 jobs were offshored during Trump’s administration.

Steen expressed gratitude towards Trump, stating, “Thank you President Trump for your fearless leadership and relentless commitment to putting Americans first,” in a post on X last year.

Despite his pledge to enhance local job creation, Steen’s efforts were questioned following a campaign ad. In the ad, he declared his intention to “stop China from stealing the American dream.” However, the stock footage of farmland included in the ad was filmed in Georgia, not Iowa, with the phrase “Keep Iowa Free” prominently displayed.

The Cook Political Report currently lists the Iowa governor’s race as a toss-up, indicating a highly competitive election.

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