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David Dawson, a Democrat, Woodbury County prosecutor and former Iowa state representative, faces Republican Chris McGowan for Iowa's open 4th congressional district seat in 2026.
2026 Races & Market Forecast
Live TruthIndex™ and prediction market consensus for races contested by David Dawson.
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Live News
Recent media coverage for David Dawson.
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No story this week names this candidate.
- Born
- October 5, 1973
- Birthplace
- Cherokee, Iowa
- Education
- Willow Community High School (1992)
Iowa State University (bachelor's degrees in sociology and psychology, 1996)
University of California, Los Angeles (Juris Doctor, 1999)
Biography & Campaign Analysis
Background
David Dawson was born David Alan Dawson on October 5, 1973, in Cherokee, Iowa, and was raised in Washta.
He graduated as valedictorian from Willow Community High School in Quimby in 1992, earned bachelor's degrees in sociology and psychology from Iowa State University in 1996, and received a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1999.
Dawson is married to Liza, and they have three children and live in Lawton, Iowa. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Career
David Dawson began his legal career at the law firm Winston & Strawn in Chicago, where he handled commercial litigation for three years.
He returned to Iowa in 2002 to prosecute child abuse and juvenile cases in the Woodbury County Attorney's Office, opened a private law practice in Sioux City focused on children and families in 2010, and rejoined the county attorney's office as a prosecutor in 2015.
He has served on the board of Community Action Agency of Siouxland and as president of the Siouxland Council on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Dawson was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives from the 14th district in Sioux City in 2012 and re-elected in 2014, serving from 2013 to 2017.
During his tenure he worked on bipartisan legislation that reduced commercial property taxes, expanded Medicaid access, established a mental health crisis stabilization unit in Sioux City, and modified criminal sentencing laws.
In 2016 he received the Gold Star Award from the Iowa State Sheriffs' and Deputies' Association for his work on public safety and law enforcement issues.
2026 race
Iowa's 4th congressional district is based in northwestern Iowa and includes the cities of Ames and Sioux City. The seat is open because Republican incumbent Randy Feenstra announced on October 28, 2025, that he was retiring to run for governor.
David Dawson announced his campaign on August 27, 2025, and won the Democratic primary in June 2026 with 39.1% of the vote, ahead of nurse Stephanie Steiner with 30.6% and Ashley WolfTornabane with 30.4%.
In the general election on November 3, 2026, he faces Republican Chris McGowan, president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.