Iowa U.S. House IA-4: McGowan vs. Dawson

About the Office

A U.S. Representative serves a two-year term in the U.S. House, representing approximately 770,000 Iowans in their district. The House has 435 voting members, who write and pass federal legislation, control federal spending and taxes, conduct oversight of federal agencies, and have sole authority to initiate impeachment proceedings.

Your House member is your direct voice in federal lawmaking, casts one of 435 votes on every federal law, and handles constituent casework with federal agencies like Social Security, Medicare, the VA, and immigration services.

The District

Iowa 4th Congressional District (Northwest & West Iowa)

Covers 36 counties — the largest geographic congressional district in Iowa. Includes Sioux City, Ames, Council Bluffs, Mason City, and Marshalltown. Cook PVI: R+15. Rated Safe Republican.

Race at a Glance

Race Type

Open Seat

Trump 2024

35 of 36 counties

Election Day

Nov 3, 2026

Open seat created when Rep. Randy Feenstra ran for governor (and lost the GOP primary to Lahn). Trump endorsed McGowan in late 2025, clearing the GOP primary field. Dawson defeated two opponents in the Democratic primary with 39.1%.

The Candidates

Each candidate's positions are drawn from primary sources: campaign communications, voting records, debates, and direct interviews.

Chris McGowan (R)

Republican nominee · President, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

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Bio

Age 58. Native of Sioux City, Iowa. St. John's University (MN) B.A.; Ave Maria School of Law J.D. Iowa Air National Guard 1990-1996, ending as intelligence officer.

Career

Fortune 500 account executive at Honeywell. Worked at U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit during law school. President of Siouxland Chamber of Commerce since 2011. Chair of the Iowa Chamber Alliance. Trump-endorsed in late 2025, clearing the GOP primary field.

Primary Issues

Economy, Agribusiness & Agriculture

Supports Trump's tariff agenda as creating "a level playing field" for Iowa farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses.

Border Security & "America First"

Trump-endorsed and ran under the slogan "America First, Iowa Always". McGowan supports the administration's deportation priorities, ICE/Border Patrol funding, and ties border security to combating fentanyl.

Eminent Domain & Property Rights

As an attorney, he has publicly called the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court decision wrongly decided and explicitly opposes the use of eminent domain for the carbon capture pipeline.

Endorsements

President Donald Trump
Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan

Donor Information

Total individual contributions: 300
In-state: 162 (54.0%) Out-of-state: 138 (46.0%)
Small-dollar donors ($100 or less): By count: 2 of 300 (0.7%) By dollar volume: $200 of $632,028 (0.0%)

1. Kevin Heiss — Lawton, IA — $14,000

CEO/President of Riverside Technologies, an IT service provider.

1. Louise Roach — Sioux City, IA — $14,000

1. Douglas E. Skinner — Dakota Dunes, SD — $14,000

Source: Federal Election Commission (FEC), Schedule A, as of July 23, 2026. fec.gov/data

Dave Dawson (D)

Democratic nominee · Woodbury County prosecutor · Former Iowa state representative

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Bio

Age 51. Born in Cherokee, Iowa, raised in Washta. Lives in Lawton, Iowa (Woodbury County, 23 years). Iowa State University B.A.; law degree. Married to Liza Dawson; three children. Former church elder.

Career

Practiced law in Chicago 2000-2002. Has served nearly two decades as a prosecutor in the Woodbury County Attorney's Office. Specializes in cases involving child abuse, drug dealers, and sex offenders. Twice argued and won cases before the Iowa Supreme Court. AFSCME union member for over 20 years. Served in Iowa House 2013-2017.

Primary Issues

Healthcare & Cancer Research

Would fight to lower prescription drug costs, expand rural healthcare access, keep rural hospitals and nursing homes open, and invest in medical research to address Iowa's cancer crisis. Notably backs a public option for healthcare.

Investing in Rural Communities

Expanding broadband, repairing roads and bridges, strengthening family farms, making housing more affordable, and supporting small businesses. Held town halls in all 36 counties during the primary.

Raising Incomes & Cracking Down on Monopolies

Pushing wage increases, supporting working families, and using antitrust action against corporate monopolies that hurt farmers, small business owners, and consumers.

Endorsements

State Rep. J.D. Scholten (D-Sioux City)
State Sen. Catelin Drey (D-Sioux City)
AFSCME Iowa Council 61

Donor Information

Total individual contributions: 267
In-state: 249 (93.3%) Out-of-state: 18 (6.7%)
Small-dollar donors ($100 or less): By count: 118 of 267 (44.2%) By dollar volume: $5,546 of $92,715 (6.0%)

1. Keith Whipple — Cedar Rapids, IA — $7,000

2. Rita DeJong — Sioux City, IA — $6,000

Previous candidate for Iowa House District 6.

3. Fourth District Democratic Central Committee — Nevada, IA — $5,000

Iowa's democratic leadership PAC.