Iowa 4th District
Randy Feenstra (R) gave up the seat to run for governor. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
David Dawson
Democrat · county prosecutor, former Iowa state representative
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Dawson, and what Dawson has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Chris McGowan
Republican · Siouxland chamber of commerce president, Iowa National Guard veteran, lawyer
C+Liberty Score C+78 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what McGowan has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for McGowan.
Raised $862,816 since January 2025: 73% from people, 27% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Iowa: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
David Dawson, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Dawson, so the grade above comes from this list: what Dawson has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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At the Iowa PBS debate he said Congress should vote to end the war in Iran.
“what congress should be doing now is voting to end this unnecessary war.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Ending the war with no bill or policy toward the regime named does not settle the Iran regime measure.
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At the Iowa PBS debate he said the United States should support Ukraine and should not reward Russia's invasion.
“We should be supporting Ukraine and its efforts to restore stability and democracy to the country.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is with liberty on free nations.
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At the Sioux City debate he said he would vote immediately to end the president's tariffs.
“If I were in Congress, I would be voting tomorrow to end these tariffs that have destabilized our markets”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Voting to end broad tariffs is the opposite of against liberty on free markets, which lists broad tariffs.
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At the Sioux City debate he backed restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits and a public insurance option, and said health care should be a right for anyone who wants it.
“We should have healthcare as a right in this country for everyone who wants it”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A public option offered alongside private coverage is not clearly government-run health care for all, so the line does not settle the measure.
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At the Iowa PBS debate he said immigration law should be enforced against people who enter without authorization and against the employers who hire them.
“we need to make sure that we are enforcing immigration law on both sides, both the people who enter the country without authorization, and also the corporations who are hiring them.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcing the law against illegal entry is with liberty on borders.
Chris McGowan, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for McGowan, so the grade above comes from this list: what McGowan has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
At the Iowa PBS debate he said the United States should not make economic deals with Russia while it fights Ukraine.
“I do not believe that we should be making economic deals with Russia during this very difficult time.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Refusing deals with Russia over its war on Ukraine, an ally, is with liberty on free nations.
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In a radio interview he rejected the position of ending all tariffs and asked for the benefit of the doubt for the president's tariffs.
“While some people will say no to all tariffs, I will say give the president the benefit of the doubt as he works to level the playing field and open and expand foreign markets to our farmers' products.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Backing the president's broad tariffs is against liberty on free markets, which lists broad tariffs.
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His campaign site commits him to giving the armed forces the training, resources and equipment they need.
“I remain committed to ensuring our men and women in uniform have all of the training, resources, and equipment they require to defend freedom.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Funding and equipping the armed forces is with liberty on defense.
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His campaign site says he will work with the Trump administration to complete border enforcement.
“President Trump has consistently demonstrated what real border enforcement looks like and I'll work with his administration to complete the job”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a secure border and enforcement of the law is with liberty on borders.
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His campaign site says officials in sanctuary cities undermine ICE and that political officials must support ICE removal operations.
“political officials must support the ERO mission”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Supporting ICE removals and opposing sanctuary policies is with liberty on borders.
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At the Iowa PBS debate he said legal applicants for citizenship should not wait 17 years and pay $42,000.
“When somebody lawfully petitions our government to become a citizen, it should not take 17 years and $42,000”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Speeding up the lawful route says nothing about those here illegally, so it does not settle the measure.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Iowa 4th District
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