Republican McGowan claims in Iowa’s 4thCongressional District seat, AP projects

Republican Chris McGowan has won the race to represent Iowa’s 4th Congressional District against Democrat Dave Dawson, the Associated Press has projected. 

Dawson will take the place of U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who did not run for reelection due to an attempted run for governor. While the district has been redrawn several times during the period, the northwest Iowa region has solidly elected Republicans since the late 1990s. 

McGowan had nearly 60% of the vote to 42% for Dawson, with 78% of precincts reporting, according to unofficial figures from the AP. 

McGowan is a veteran and currently serves as president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. Dawson served as a state representative from 2013-2017 and was previously a prosecutor at the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. 

He noted after his race was called that he will be serving in the minority in the U.S. House, after Democrats picked up a majority of seats — including three of Iowa’s four districts.

McGowan said he would “work with the rest of the Iowa delegation, to work with members representing South Dakota and Nebraska, states I’ve worked with for over 20 years in my capacity with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and the Siouxland Initiative, and hopefully find common ground on those issues that are most important right now,” he told reporters after the race was called.

He said he believes economic development and agriculture should be bipartisan. “I think we need to see relief at the fuel pump. I think we need to see value-added ag prioritized, and one way I think we can combine both of those interests is by passing year-round E15 ethanol. And so I will go and advocate for that from day one,” he said.

The candidates have differed on policies around the war in Iran, with McGowan saying he’d need more information to decide if it was a conflict the U.S. should remain involved in, and Dawson calling for the U.S. to end the conflict. 

McGowan has suggested the U.S. complete the Keystone XL pipeline, which has been delayed over environmental concerns, to help lower fuel costs in the country. 

Both candidates said they would support nationwide, year-round access to E15 fuels and completing a farm bill. 

Dawson’s top priorities included expanding healthcare options, investing in rural communities and raising incomes in Iowa.

McGowan, who has children serving in the military, has emphasized his commitment to national security and on securing the U.S. borders. McGowan, who lives on a small farm in Plymouth County according to his campaign website, has also said he would be a “reliable ally and advocate” for farmers.