How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you, such as fuel prices, the farm economy and tariffs, health care or the war with Iran.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget, including trade, farm bill and renewable fuel policy. The Senate also confirms federal judges and approves treaties. Statewide Amendment 1 would make it harder for the Legislature to raise income taxes.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words, endorsements and who funds each campaign.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. The 4th District runs along Iowa’s western border and east to Ames, Fort Dodge and Marshalltown, according to Iowa Public Radio’s first debate report. It covers 36 counties and is the state’s most conservative House seat. Republicans outnumber Democrats more than two to one among active voters, according to Iowa Public Radio’s race overview. ​

The seat is open because Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) ran for governor and lost the Republican primary. Feenstra won the seat in 2024 with 67.0% of the vote. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Safe Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s race overview. The district uses the map Iowa adopted in 2021, according to the Iowa Legislature’s district map law.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Chris McGowan of Sioux City is a lawyer and an Iowa National Guard veteran. McGowan formerly led the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and the Siouxland Initiative, according to Iowa Public Radio. Five of McGowan’s six children serve in the military. McGowan won the Tuesday, June 2 Republican primary with 99.3% of the vote after the other Republican candidates withdrew, according to McGowan’s Ballotpedia profile.

Democrat Dave Dawson of Lawton grew up in Washta and earned a law degree from the UCLA School of Law. Dawson has prosecuted cases for Woodbury County for 19 years, specializing in child abuse, according to KTIV’s Dawson profileand Dawson’s legislative record. Dawson won the June 2 Democratic primary with 39.0% of the vote to 30.5% for Stephanie Steiner and 30.3% for Ashley WolfTornabane, according to Dawson’s Ballotpedia profile.

Independent Jermaine Decker is running as a write-in candidate, so Decker’s name will not be printed on the ballot. Decker says “My first priority is fighting corruption, because if the system itself is broken, no new policy will truly serve the American people.”

Where They Stand

Tariffs and the farm economy. Dawson says tariffs have hurt farmers and says “If I were in Congress, I would be voting tomorrow to end these tariffs that have destabilized our markets.” Dawson supports a long-term farm bill and says “Farmers want open markets for their products, not more federal handouts.” McGowan acknowledges the strain on agriculture but defends the president’s goal of fairer trade. McGowan would push to keep tariffs from applying retroactively to negotiated deals.

Fuel and energy. McGowan calls for more domestic energy production. McGowan says that if the canceled Keystone XL pipeline were running, “we wouldn’t be paying the prices that we’re paying at the fuel pump.” Dawson supports restoring wind and solar tax credits. Both candidates back year-round sales of E15 gasoline.

The national debt. McGowan calls the national debt McGowan’s top priority, telling voters “Folks, we’re $40 trillion in debt.” Both candidates support a balanced budget amendment.

The steel mill. Dawson questions tax incentives for the proposed $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel mill in Lee County and wants guarantees that its jobs stay and pay well. McGowan points to McGowan’s economic development experience and urged lawmakers to advance the project.

The war with Iran. Dawson calls the war unconstitutional because Congress did not authorize it and says “It is time to end the war in Iran, which is not making Americans safer.” McGowan wants a quick resolution and calls Iran a rogue nation.

Health care. Dawson supports restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits and creating a public option. Dawson says “We should have healthcare as a right in this country for everyone who wants it.” McGowan wants a bipartisan overhaul and says “These problems will not be solved by one party or another.”

Artificial intelligence and data centers. McGowan says “I do think there’s a need for some guardrails, and I don’t believe that we can defer all that to the private sector.” Dawson says “We can’t have an industry regulating itself because it can become dangerous” and wants protections against AI-generated sexual images of children. On data centers, McGowan says “If data centers are going to come, they must pay their entire way.”

Immigration. Dawson says “No one should enter the U.S. without authorization.” The candidates disagree on enforcement, but both support expanding legal work visas to help employers fill jobs.

In Their Own Words

Chris McGowan, on when military action is justified, at the Sept. 30 debate:

“Number one, the threat must be imminent. Number two, the threat must be grave. And number three, we must have exhausted diplomacy.”

Dave Dawson, on the steel mill incentives, at the same debate:

“We seem to always give the biggest tax breaks to the largest companies.”

Questionnaires And Debates

McGowan and Dawson debated on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at KTIV in Sioux City, and again on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Press on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The two agreed at the Woodbury County Fair in August to keep their campaigns civil. McGowan said “Both of us had a very civil conversation and agreed to run campaigns that were rooted in civil discourse and respect.” Dawson and Decker completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey, and McGowan did not. Dawson answered KTIV’s candidate questionnaire.

Endorsements

Before the primary, President Donald Trump endorsed McGowan on Wednesday, Feb. 4, according to KTIV. Trump wrote that McGowan “will fight hard to Grow the Economy, Promote our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Cut Taxes and Regulations.” McGowan’s endorsements page also lists:

AllCiv’s endorsement data lists the National Education Association among Dawson’s backers.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • McGowan reported raising $862,816 and spending $418,901, with $443,915 on hand.
  • Dawson reported raising $259,241 and spending $217,264, with $41,976 on hand and no debt.
  • Decker has not reported any fundraising.

AllCiv’s Iowa 4th District race page shows $173,000 in outside spending in the race. All of it supported McGowan, according to Ballotpedia’s FEC data. Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings, while smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total.

The Incumbent’s Record

No incumbent is on the House ballot. Feenstra will leave Congress in January after losing the Republican primary for governor to Zach Lahn, according to Iowa Public Radio.

Challengers’ Records

Dawson represented District 14 in the Iowa House from 2013 to 2017. Dawson says the Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association gave Dawson its Gold Star Award in 2016 for legislative work on public safety. McGowan and Decker have not held public office.

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges, and approves treaties. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race a Toss-up, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Lean Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s Senate race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Democrat Josh Turek is a state representative (D-Council Bluffs) first elected in 2022. Turek is a four-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball with two gold medals and directs the Ryan Martin Foundation, according to Turek’s legislative biography. Turek won the June 2 Democratic primary with 62.6% of the vote to 37.3% for Zach Wahls.

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), of Marion, has represented northeast Iowa in Congress since 2021. Hinson earlier served in the Iowa House and worked as a television journalist, according to Hinson’s Gazette questionnaire. Hinson won the June 2 Republican primary with 74.0% of the vote to 25.7% for Jim Carlin.

Libertarian Thomas Laehn, 44, of Jefferson, is the Greene County attorney and a former political science professor. Laehn holds a doctorate from Louisiana State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa, according to Laehn’s Gazette questionnaire. Laehn was first elected county attorney in 2018.

Where They Stand

Iran. Turek pledges to “fight to end this war in the U.S. Senate, day one” and wants a return to diplomacy, according to Iowa Public Radio’s Senate debate coverage. Hinson opposed a resolution to limit the president’s war powers but has called for the war to end. Laehn calls the war “immoral, unconstitutional, and contrary to our national interests” and would cut off funding for wars Congress has not authorized.

Immigration. Hinson opposed the 2024 Senate border bill, saying it “would have let uncapped numbers come across our southern border,” and calls Turek too liberal on the border. Turek broke with Democrats in 2024 to back a state bill letting police arrest people who reentered the country illegally. Turek also backs earned citizenship for people who came to the country legally.

Cost of living. Hinson backs these measures:

  • No tax on tips or overtime.
  • Permanently lower taxes on Social Security.
  • Reform of pharmacy benefit managers.
  • Year-round E15 fuel.
  • Child care cost relief.

Hinson says “We cannot tax our way out of Washington’s spending problem.” Laehn calls inflation “the most pressing issue facing Iowa families” and supports a balanced budget amendment.

Data centers and water. Hinson says communities should decide on data centers and that data centers should supply their own power and water. Hinson also backs voluntary, locally led conservation to improve water quality. Laehn says “Congress has no jurisdiction to regulate data centers.”

Abortion and education. Hinson calls Hinson “pro-life and pro-family,” with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Hinson supports access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and over-the-counter birth control. Laehn is anti-abortion but says Congress lacks authority to pass personhood laws. Laehn would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.

Ethics. Hinson accused Turek of taking a legislative per diem while missing work, and Turek accused Hinson of growing Hinson’s wealth in Congress. Hinson says the family sold its personal stocks in 2021 and that its added wealth came from the sale of a family business.

In Their Own Words

Ashley Hinson, at the Iowa PBS debate, Wednesday, Oct. 7:

“I’ll be President Trump’s ally when it is important for Iowa, but I will push back on him.”

Josh Turek, at the same debate:

“We need to have a pathway to earned citizenship for those that have come here legally.”

Thomas Laehn, in The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire, on campaign finance:

“Introduce major campaign finance reform legislation overturning Citizens United.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Turek and Hinson debated on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Press on Oct. 7, moderated by Kay Henderson, Stephen Gruber-Miller and Erin Murphy. The two met again on WHO-13 on Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to the Des Moines Register. Laehn was not included in either debate. Hinson and Laehn answered The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire.

Endorsements

Before the primary, Trump endorsed Hinson. Also before the primary, Gov. Kim Reynolds endorsed Hinson in January, according to the Gazette’s report on the Reynolds endorsement, which notes Senate Majority Leader John Thune also backs Hinson. After the primary, former President Barack Obama endorsed Turek on Thursday, July 30, in a video of the two playing basketball, saying “Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa,” according to Fox News.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from FEC reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Turek reported raising $24,290,521 and spending $21,217,670, with $3,072,851 on hand.
  • Hinson reported raising $14,147,973 and spending $13,903,059, with $2,172,989 on hand.
  • Laehn reported raising $83,667 and spending $74,632, with $9,035 on hand.

AllCiv’s Iowa U.S. Senate race page shows $34.8 million in outside spending in the race.

The Incumbent’s Record

Ernst, the incumbent, is not on the ballot. Ernst announced on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, that Ernst would not seek a third term.

Challengers’ Records

Hinson serves on the House Appropriations and Ethics committees and the House select committee on China. This Congress, Hinson has voted in 635 of 645 roll call votes and voted against most Republicans 8 times out of 597, according to AllCiv’s vote data. Hinson has cosponsored 238 bills, and the 33 bills Hinson sponsored drew 221 cosponsors.

A VoteVets ad says Hinson “voted to cut coverage for 100,000 Iowans” by supporting the 2025 tax and spending law. KCRG’s fact-check found that 100,000 is the top of KFF’s estimate of 60,000 to 100,000 Iowans. The ad also says 20 rural Iowa hospitals were pushed to the brink. KCRG found that claim relied on data from before the law, and a July 2026 update listed eight Iowa rural hospitals at risk, citing low private insurance payments.

Turek is in a second term in the Iowa House and has not served in Congress. Laehn taught political science at McNeese State University for four years before law school and has not served in a legislature.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

All three of these groups grade Hinson’s House votes:

The Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index ranks House members by how often they work across party lines. Each group picks different measures, so their ratings measure different things.

Also On Your Ballot

Amendment 1: Two-Thirds Vote for Income Tax Increases. A Yes vote would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers, 67 of 100 House members and 34 of 50 senators, for either of these:

  • Raising individual or corporate income tax rates.
  • Creating a new state income tax.

A No vote keeps the simple-majority rule. Local option taxes are not covered, and lawsuits over a bill’s passage would have to be filed within a year, according to Iowa Public Radio’s Amendment 1 explainer. The Legislature approved the amendment in 2024 and again in 2026, when the House passed SJR 11 57 to 21 on Sunday, May 3, according to the House floor vote record.

Iowans for Tax Relief President Chris Hagenow says the amendment would protect taxpayers as political control shifts and calls warnings of cuts “scare tactics.” Common Good Iowa Executive Director Anne Discher says it could push lawmakers toward sales taxes, which weigh more on lower-income Iowans. Discher warns, “When we run out of the surplus dollars, hard decisions are going to be made.” Your county auditor lists every city, school and county measure on your ballot.

Before You Go

Today

* Election Day is today, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* Register at the polls: You can still register at your precinct today by showing proof of identity and residence.
* Mail ballots must reach your county auditor by 8 p.m. today, when polls close, according to the Secretary of State’s general election notice. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at your polling place, but you may surrender an absentee ballot there and vote in person, according to Election Protection’s Iowa guide.
* ID: Bring any of these:
Starting July 1, another voter can no longer vouch for your identity. A voter without ID may cast a provisional ballot and bring documents to the auditor by noon the Monday after the election.
* An Iowa driver license or nondriver ID.
* A U.S. passport.
* A military or veteran ID.
* A tribal ID.
* An Iowa Voter ID card.
* Questions: Call the Iowa Secretary of State at 1-888-SOS-VOTE, or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Mailed absentee requests were due at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.
  • In-person early voting ran at county auditor offices from Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Monday, Nov. 2.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Ballot Measures

Endorsements

Scorecards

Voting Information

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