David Dawson came out on top in the June 2 primary election voting in the race by three Democrats seeking the Iowa 4th congressional district nomination.
The three Democrats running were Dawson of Lawton, Stephanie Steiner of Sutherland, and Ashley WolfTornabane of Storm Lake.
Dawson is an attorney and former member of the Iowa Legislature, and he received 39 percent of the voting.
The other finishers were Steiner with 30.5 percent, and WolfTornabane, who got 30.4 percent.
In a May 8 forum in Sioux City, the Democrats discussed environmental issues, voting regulations, education, and agricultural practices.
In a statement after the results came in, Dawson said Republican leadership is failing Iowans.
"Rural hospitals and nursing homes are at risk of closing and health care access is being cut. Medicaid was just cut by nearly a trillion dollars. Family farms are being crushed by tariffs they did not ask for. Seniors are being asked to choose between prescriptions and groceries. The people who live in this district have been written off by Washington for too long, and they are tired of being lied to about it," he said.
Dawson was the fundraising leader of the trio, and his prior service as a state legislator made him favored by some Democratic voters.
Steiner is a small livestock producer and a retired nurse, WolfTornabane is a stay at home mother who formerly worked in a school district
Dawson will square off with Republican Chris McGowan, of Sioux City, in the November election.
McGowan held an election watch party Tuesday evening at the Sioux City Country Club..
In a release, he said, his campaign "has always been about standing up for the hardworking families, farmers, small business owners, and taxpayers who make our communities strong. I am grateful to every volunteer, supporter, donor, and voter who helped make this victory possible."
Randy Feenstra currently holds the seat for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, but did not seek reelection for the position, as he ran for governor. Feenstra lost that primary on Tuesday.
The 4th Congressional District covers 36 counties in Northwest and North Central Iowa, and voter registration stats show it is the most Republican of the four districts in the state.
Former conservative Republican Congressman Steve King represented much of Northwest Iowa prior to Feenstra, from 2003 through 2020.
This story has been updated from the original Tuesday evening version, with final vote counts.
