Who's running in Iowa's 4th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Economic development and job creation.
Property rights, including opposing eminent domain for private gain such as the proposed CO2 pipeline.
Building up the military while being 'extremely prudent' about using it.
Opposing democratic socialism: 'We need to put it in the ash heap of human history.'
Keeping transgender women out of women's locker rooms, which he calls a choice between 'crazy and common sense'.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
President, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce; Iowa Air National Guard veteran.
Unopposed in the June 2, 2026 Republican primary; former candidates Matt Windschitl, Ryan Rhodes and Kyle Larsen withdrew and endorsed him.
Endorsed by President Trump, Sen. Joni Ernst, former Gov. Terry Branstad and Speaker Mike Johnson, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
President Trump, Sen. Joni Ernst, former Gov. Terry Branstad, Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Whip Tom Emmer have endorsed McGowan.
— Listed endorsements, Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
McGowan 'may already be measuring drapes' and 'is campaigning like he's on third base', counting on the district's Republican lean instead of meeting voters across the district, much as Randy Feenstra avoided unfriendly crowds and debates.
— Bruce Lear, retired Iowa State Education Association regional director, Bleeding Heartland guest column
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC or Dawson campaign criticism of McGowan by name was found. McGowan and Dawson have both said they are interested in a debate; none had been scheduled in a loaded source.
Expanding health care and Medicaid coverage, protecting rural health care, and more mental health facilities and counseling for children.
Addressing Iowa's cancer rates with more research.
Cleaning up rivers, lakes and streams, and protecting private land ownership from corporations.
Term limits and a ban on congressional stock trading; passing a farm bill.
Public town halls with voters of all parties.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Iowa House of Representatives, District 14, 2013–2017.
Assistant Woodbury County attorney.
Won the June 2, 2026 Democratic primary with 39.1%.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Dawson by name was found; McGowan declined to attack him when asked. A Bleeding Heartland guest column by retired educator Bruce Lear praises him as a hard-working 'happy warrior' who is 'aggressively earning every vote'. Searched: 'Dave Dawson' with McGowan, NRCC, Iowa GOP and criticism; Sioux City Journal, KTIV, Radio Iowa and Iowa Capital Dispatch coverage.
His campaign website and fundraising were not found in a loaded source.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Iowa's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: Iowa's districts are drawn through the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency process, and no 2026 redraw or pending congressional map litigation was found. This is an open seat: Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra left it to run for governor and lost the Republican primary. Primaries were held June 2, 2026. The roster matches the Iowa Secretary of State's official general election candidate list (August 2026), which shows two candidates: Republican Chris McGowan, unopposed in his primary after President Trump's endorsement, and Democrat Dave Dawson, who won his primary with 39.1% over Stephanie Steiner and Ashley WolfTornabane. Army veteran Jermaine Decker is listed by Ballotpedia as an independent write-in candidate and is not profiled. The district covers 36 counties in northern and western Iowa, including Sioux City, Ames and Council Bluffs; registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 120,000. Candidates are listed in the order of the Secretary of State's candidate list; that is not necessarily the printed ballot order, and it implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Iowa ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.