'Closer than we would like': Rep. Steve King faces tough primary challenge that is backed by GOP leaders

Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King will face off against four other primary candidates Tuesday night, and the embattled congressman confirms the poll numbers between him and his closest challenger are tight.

“Well, it's closer than we would like. But we've been on top in every legitimate number, and in absolutely every published poll, so that tells me that the voters are gonna make their decision,” he told the Washington Examiner on Thursday.

“But one thing is that none of my opponents have criticized a single vote that I put up in 18 years in this Congress," said King, first elected to the House in 2002. "I don't have a single personal accuser of anything. It's all left-wing press. So, I always don't believe the left-wing press. We polled that, so I should be in pretty good shape, but we shall see.”

The Iowa congressman won his last reelection by 3% and has just over $32,000 cash on hand as he heads into the final days of his primary campaign in an R+11 Cook Political Report-rated district.

In a recent poll, King held a narrow lead over his nearest Republican primary opponent, state Sen. Randy Feenstra.

It is not necessary for King to win completely in order to earn the Republican nomination, as the contest goes to a convention if no candidate receives over 35% of the total primary vote. However, King or Feenstra, or both, are likely to meet that ceiling.

King, 71, was removed from his committee assignments by the House Republican Steering Committee early last year after making controversial comments about white supremacy during an interview with the New York Times.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters there is no guarantee King will be reassigned to his committee seats should he be reelected.

Several House GOP leaders have contributed money to Feenstra's primary bid against King.