Iowa State Senator Randy Feenstra defeated controversial Representative Steve King in the Republican primary in the state’s 4th District on Tuesday, ending the firebrand congressman’s nearly two-decade run in the House. 

The win increases the likelihood the heavily Republican district will remain in GOP hands. Feenstra will face off in November against Democrat J.D. Scholten, who is running for the seat for a second consecutive time and was unopposed in his party’s contest.

Feenstra was leading with 46 percent of the vote compared to King’s 36 percent, with 96 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press.

“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support over the past 17 months that made tonight possible and I thank Congressman King for his decades of public service,” Feenstra said in a statement.

“As we turn to the General Election, I will remain focused on my plans to deliver results for the families, farmers and communities of Iowa,” he added. “But first, we must make sure this seat doesn’t land in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress.”

King has a reputation of being the most controversial member of Congress. His remarks about race and immigration have drawn the ire of both Democrats and Republicans.

Republican leaders in the House moved to strip King of his committee assignments in the chamber last year after he made comments to The New York Times questioning why the terms “white supremacist” and “white nationalist” became offensive.  

King’s often inflammatory and racially sensitive remarks along with removal from key House panels, including the Judiciary and Agriculture committees, prompted a myriad of primary challenges. Four Republicans hoped to oust King on Tuesday, there were fears that they would split the anti-King vote, even though Feenstra was considered the top challenger, who ultimately won.