(KIWA Staff Photo)Northwest Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Republican congressional candidate Chris McGowan is outlining his positions on tariffs, agriculture, cancer research, and education as the November election approaches.
McGowan currently serves as president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and The Siouxland Initiative. He will face Democrat Dave Dawson on November 3rd for Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District seat, currently held by Randy Feenstra (R-Hull).
McGowan recently discussed the pressures facing Iowa agriculture, his support for education savings accounts, how he would work across party lines in Congress, and other priorities.
Tariffs Create Challenges for Agribusiness
McGowan said he supports free and fair trade and believes tariffs can be used to encourage other countries to open their markets to American corn, soybeans, beef, and other products. However, he also acknowledged the strategy has created difficulties for farmers and value-added agricultural businesses.
McGowan said he recently met with executives from a Siouxland company operating in value-added agriculture. He said the business negotiates deals with narrow profit margins but can be hit with additional costs when tariffs are imposed after agreements are finalized. These costs, he said, can be passed along to customers and producers.
He suggested Congress and the administration to examine whether new tariffs could apply only to future agreements rather than changing previously negotiated deals.
E15 Tops Agricultural Priorities
When asked to identify his leading federal priority for northwest Iowa agriculture, McGowan pointed to nationwide, year-round access to E15.
He said the proposal has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action. McGowan emphasized that year-round E15 would not require consumers to purchase the fuel but would make it consistently available as an option.
He said expanding ethanol demand would provide another domestic market for Iowa corn at a time when farmers are dealing with low commodity prices, expensive inputs, and increased international competition.
Farmers he has met, McGowan said, are seeking policies that improve their ability to compete rather than continued government assistance.
He said expanded export markets, lower input costs, and increased demand for corn through ethanol could all help strengthen the agricultural economy.
Cancer Research and Education
McGowan also addressed Iowa’s cancer incidence rate, which ranks among the highest in the country and continues to rise. He said government has an obligation to protect citizens, and that includes public health. McGowan supports additional research into why Iowa’s cancer rate differs from neighboring states, including possible environmental and agricultural exposures.
On education, McGowan voiced support for Iowa’s education savings account program and the federal scholarship tax credit. He said his family has used public schools, private schools, homeschooling, and tutors while determining the best path for each of his six children, and he believes parents should have the ability to make those choices.
McGowan did not directly address what financial or academic accountability standards should apply when government funding or federal tax policy supports private education.
Immigration and Bipartisan Work
Responding to a question on immigration, McGowan praised the Trump administration’s border enforcement efforts, raised concerns about human and labor trafficking, and said the country must secure its southern border before addressing immigration comprehensively.
When asked how he would work with members of the opposing party, McGowan said Congress has shown bipartisan agreements remain possible even though those measures often receive less attention that partisan disputes.
He added that a representative must also be willing to stand firm when an issue does not reflect the values of the Fourth District.
