Who's In the Race

Democrat Dave Dawson faces Republican Chris McGowan in the Nov. 3 general election in Iowa's 4th Congressional District. The seat is open: Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) left to run for governor. ​

Dawson is a former Iowa state representative who served from 2013 to 2017 and works as a prosecutor in the Woodbury County Attorney's Office. He won the Democratic primary with about 39 percent of the vote over runner-up Stephanie Steiner. Chris McGowan was born and raised in Iowa's 4th Congressional District, and his children are the fifth generation of his family in northwest Iowa. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

What They Stand For

Dawson has said his top issue is to "expand health care options and research" to make care more accessible and affordable, according to the Des Moines Register.

McGowan has called for a bipartisan overhaul of the health-care system, according to KWIT. He has also supported:

  • Opposing additional federal incentives for the proposed $15 billion steel plant in southeast Iowa, according to KEYC;
  • Caution about suspending the federal fuel tax as a way to lower fuel costs, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch; and
  • A more prudent approach to entering wars, with more information on conflicts shared with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show McGowan raised about $680,000 through June 30 and had about $329,000 in the bank. Dawson raised about $136,000 through June 30 and had about $50,000 cash on hand.

Outside groups spent about $173,000 supporting McGowan as of Oct. 13, all of it in his favor. The largest outside spender was American Mission, which put in about $104,000, followed by Conservatives for American Excellence Inc. with about $60,000.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball also rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11, as did Inside Elections as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is McGowan, a 96.77 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

The district has backed Republicans by wide margins in recent cycles: Randy Feenstra won with about 66 percent in 2022 and about 67 percent in 2024. Republicans won all four of Iowa's U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. Donald Trump carried Iowa in the 2024 presidential election with about 56 percent of the vote.

Early in-person voting runs Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Monday, Nov. 2, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The deadline to register online or by mail is Monday, Oct. 19; Iowa also allows same-day registration at the polling place on Election Day. The mail-ballot application deadline is Monday, Oct. 19, by 5 p.m. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article