A longtime economic development leader is running for the Iowa 4th congressional district position, as Chris McGowan made that announcement Wednesday morning.
McGowan is a Republican from Sioux City who has been President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce for two decades.
McGowan was joined by many family members in his announcement event. He said he has the background to perform well as a congressman for Northwest Iowans, by virtue of his knowledge of businesses and agriculture.
“Standing up for AG means protecting markets, defending landowner rights, and supporting President Trump's efforts to secure free and fair trade agreements for the goods that our farmers produce," he said.
McGowan said he has considered running for Congress for many years, as people in his friends circle know.
Current Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra is not running for reelection in 4th District in 2026, as he is pursuing the Iowa governor position, after Kim Reynolds decided not to run for a third term.
Another possible Republican congressional candidate, Lynn Evans in May announced he is assessing becoming a candidate. Evans of Cherokee County is a state senator.
A Democratic candidate, Ryan Melton, withdrew from the Iowa 4th congressional race last week.
*Additionally, Siouxlanders came to the Sioux City office of U.S. Senator Joni Ernst on Tuesday to criticize the federal spending bill that Republicans are pushing towards passage.
They said the so-called Big, Beautiful Bill will harm working Americans, by reducing access to key programs that benefit families.
Shawn Olorundami, of Sioux City, said he and his wife are both teachers and work two jobs.
They use the Hawk-i health insurance program to provide coverage for their four children. Olorundami said that without the insurance, they wouldn’t be able to afford private insurance.
He also said that he grew up with conservative values and hopes that Ernst can see that the big beautiful bill is not a package that conservatives should back.
The event was organized by Senator Bernie Sanders "Fighting Oligarchy" project.
Organizers said 30 people spoke to Kolby DeWitt, who is the Regional Director for Ernst.
A Fighting Oligarchy spokesman said DeWitt will share the message of the group with Ernst, but that he wasn’t sure which way she would vote on the budget reconciliation.
Ryan Akerberg, Chairman of the Woodbury County Democrats, described his concerns about what will happen to rural hospitals if the bill is signed. He said Medicaid and Medicare cuts could make it difficult to keep rural hospitals open.
In related news, Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra on Tuesday said President Trump hopes to sign his “Big Beautiful Bill” on or before the Fourth of July.
The measure still needs to pass the U.S. Senate. Feenstra said the bill will grow the economy and help rural America, small businesses and manufacturing.
He made those comments during a town hall meeting held by phone, where he fielded mostly friendly questions.
*In other news, fireworks are set to return to Mount Rushmore in the South Dakota tourist spot in 2026 for America’s 250th birthday celebration, following a six-year absence.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and U.S. Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum say they’ve signed a memorandum of agreement to move forward with planning.
Fireworks displays were once regular occurrences at Mount Rushmore during the late 1990s and 2000s. But the National Park Services stopped the shows in 2009, over wildfire and chemical contamination concerns.
Fireworks returned in 2020 under former Governor Kristi Noem, in an event that was attended by President Donald Trump.
Displays were again prohibited under the Biden Administration, which cited environmental issues as well as opposition from tribes. Over those four years through 2024, there were annual political confrontations between Noem and the National Park Services.
The agreement this week serves as the legal binding document, Governor Rhoden said.
