Dave
Dawson

1. Economy & jobs Supports higher minimum wage, anti-monopoly enforcement, opposes tariffs +

2. Housing Supports making housing more affordable via antitrust enforcement +

3. Health care Supports voluntary public option, ACA protection, lower drug prices +

4. Immigration Supports enforcement and due process; calls for workforce-focused reform +

5. Education Supports strengthening GI Bill for veterans' education and job training +

6. Climate & energy Supports restoring federal wind/solar tax credits and year-round E15 +

7. Crime & public safety Career prosecutor emphasizing rule of law and due process +

8. Taxes & budget Opposes corporate tax loopholes; cautions against unfunded tax cuts +

9. Democracy & elections Supports term limits, stock-trading ban, and anti-corruption reforms +

10. Foreign policy & defense Opposes unauthorized U.S. war in Iran; demands congressional authorization +

1. Oct 12
   poll

   Iowa youth straw poll shows McGowan at 55%, Dawson at 45% in District 4

   Iowa's Secretary of State youth straw poll, reported October 12, showed McGowan receiving 55% and Dawson 45% among 3,946 student ballots cast in the District 4 contest. This is a student straw poll, not a representative electorate poll.

   ↳ 11,671 Iowa Students Participate in Secretary of State's Iowa Youth Straw Poll · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
2. Oct 7
   news

   Dawson interviewed by Des Moines Register on tariffs, Iran, and immigration

   The Des Moines Register published an interview with Dawson and McGowan covering tariffs, the Iran war, and immigration policy. Detailed positions from the interview were not fully available in reviewed sources.

   ↳ Hear Iowa congressional candidates Dawson, McGowan on Iran, tariffs · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
3. Oct 1
   debate

   Dawson calls for ending tariffs, ending Iran war, and AI regulation at debate

   At the October 1 debate coverage, Dawson stated he would vote to end tariffs 'that have destabilized our markets,' called the Iran war unauthorized by Congress, supported restoring ACA tax credits and a public insurance option, and said AI cannot be left to regulate itself. He also questioned incentives for a proposed steel mill in Lee County, citing reports of past Russian financing of the company.

   ↳ Candidates keep Iowa's 4th District debate civil despite policy ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
4. Oct 1
   debate

   Dawson and McGowan find common ground on E15, work visas, and balanced budget

   Despite disagreements, both candidates expressed support for year-round E15 ethanol sales, expanded legal work visas, a balanced-budget amendment, and support for the 185th Air Refueling Wing.

   ↳ Candidates keep Iowa's 4th District debate civil despite policy ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
5. Sep 30
   debate

   Dawson and McGowan meet in first televised debate in Sioux City

   Dawson and McGowan debated in Sioux City on September 30. Topics included economic incentives, tariffs, fuel costs, the war in Iran, healthcare, AI, and immigration. Both candidates described the exchange as civil.

   ↳ Iowa's 4th congresional district candidates meet in first ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
6. Sep 30
   filing

   Dawson confirmed on general election ballot as Democratic candidate for Iowa's 4th District

   A September 30 sample-ballot listing published by the Freeman Journal showed Dawson as the Democratic candidate and McGowan as the Republican candidate for Iowa's 4th Congressional District. No ballot-access challenge or filing dispute was reported.

   ↳ General election is November 3: Do you know who is ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
7. Sep 18
   endorsement

   Former Sen. Tom Harkin endorses Dawson; Sioux City fundraiser held

   KTIV reported that former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin endorsed Dave Dawson. Harkin did not attend the Sioux City fundraiser; former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge attended in his place. Dawson pledged to reject super PAC and corporate PAC money, relying on individual contributions.

   ↳ Dave Dawson in Sioux City rallying funds for campaign · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
8. Sep 18
   news

   Dawson outlines policy positions at Sioux City fundraiser

   Dawson said he supported raising the federal minimum wage, congressional term limits, banning members of Congress from stock trading, and ending the war in Iran, which he linked to higher fuel and fertilizer costs.

   ↳ Dave Dawson in Sioux City rallying funds for campaign · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
9. Jun 30
   filing

   Dawson campaign finance figures through June 30 reported: $135,721 raised, $49,762 cash on hand

   A September 28 local commentary cited FEC filings through June 30 showing Dawson had raised $135,721.51, spent $85,959.35, and had $49,762.16 cash on hand, well behind Republican McGowan's $679,843.50 raised and $328,850.23 cash on hand.

   ↳ Kadin's Column: Iowa politics have a spending problem | Sentinel · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• Iowa Farmers Union organization
  The Iowa Farmers Union's 2026 federal-candidate endorsement list names Dawson for U.S. House District 4. The page gives no separate date for his individual endorsement. iowafarmersunion.org · Oct 9, 2026
• Storm Lake Times Pilot newspaper
  In an editorial, the paper urged readers to 'Vote for Dawson,' endorsing him for Congress. artcullen.substack.com · Oct 2, 2026
• Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO union
  The federation's 2026 endorsements page lists Dawson for Congress, District 4. The page does not state the date the endorsement was made; the page was dated September 29, 2026. voteunioniowa.org · Sep 29, 2026
• Former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin official
  Harkin endorsed Dawson at a Sioux City fundraising event, praising his background and saying he would be proud to see the district send him to Congress. ktiv.com · Sep 18, 2026
• Ashley WolfTornabane other
  After conceding the Democratic primary, WolfTornabane endorsed Dawson, writing: 'Though we have some policy differences, we have far more similarities.' desmoinesregister.com · Jun 2, 2026

Raised

$136K

Spent

$86K

Cash on hand

$50K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6IA04217(opens in a new tab)