U.S. House — Iowa 4th District 2026

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.

In plain terms: 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

Cook PVI

R+15

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

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

Trump's America First Agenda

Central campaign theme: "America First, Iowa Always." Strong supporter of border security, energy independence, and federal spending cuts.

Opposing Eminent Domain for Private Use

Significant position on the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline controversy — places him on the side of farmers in the eminent domain debate.

Agriculture & Small Business

Frames Chamber background as expertise on how federal regulation impacts Iowa businesses and family farms.

Position on Dawson's Priority Issues

Federal Healthcare Programs

Aligned with Trump-era federal spending cuts; has not committed to protecting Medicare/Medicaid from further cuts.

Worker & Union Rights

Pro-business orientation from Chamber background.

Corporate Monopolies

Chamber background represents business interests; has not made anti-monopoly enforcement a campaign issue.

Endorsements

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

Dave Dawson (D)

Democratic nominee · Woodbury County prosecutor · Former Iowa state representative

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 (Drug Costs, Rural Hospitals, Mental Health)

Top campaign theme. Wants to lower prescription drug costs, expand rural healthcare access, and keep rural hospitals open. Strong supporter of restoring ACA subsidies.

Wages & Working Families

Will push policies increasing wages and supporting working families. Notes regional wage gap with neighboring states.

Cracking Down on Corporate Monopolies

Strongly supports antitrust enforcement against corporate monopolies that "hurt farmers, small business owners, and consumers."

Position on McGowan's Priority Issues

Trump's America First Agenda

Generally opposes Trump-era policies, particularly the One Big Beautiful Bill's Medicaid cuts.

Eminent Domain for Carbon Pipelines

Position not directly stated; likely opposes pipeline use of eminent domain.

Federal Spending

Concerned about national debt; argues new federal spending should be paid for, but opposes cuts that fall on Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security.