McGowan wins Iowa House race for open Feenstra seat

Chris McGowan is set to succeed Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) in representing Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) has projected.

McGowan led Democratic opponent Dave Dawson by almost 26 percentage points — 62.9 to 37.1 percent — with 68 percent of the vote reported by DDHQ as of 11:22 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

McGowan, an Air Force veteran, has a history in consulting GOP candidates on multiple levels, including in the federal, state and local races. He makes a return to Capitol Hill after previously being a congressional intern when he was a college student back in 1987.

Feenstra, who has served in Congress since 2021, ran in the Iowa governor’s race this year but lost in the primary to Republican business owner Zach Lahn.

President Trump endorsed McGowan earlier this year in his bid for Congress, calling him a “fantastic Candidate.”

“A Brave Iowa Air National Guard Veteran, successful Attorney, and now, as President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Chris has a Proven Record of Success — He is a WINNER!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in February.

“Chris McGowan has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he added later.

McGowan’s path to victory Tuesday appeared easy, with the nonpartisan political handicapper Cook Political Report rating his race as solidly Republican.