David Dawson (politician)

Dawson was born in Cherokee, Iowa, and raised in Washta.^[1] He graduated as valedictorian from Willow Community High School in Quimby in 1992.^[2] He earned bachelor's degrees in sociology and psychology from Iowa State University in 1996 and received a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1999.^[1]

After graduating from law school, Dawson worked as an attorney with the law firm Winston & Strawn in Chicago,^[3] where he handled commercial litigation for three years.^[4] In 2002, he returned to Iowa and joined the Woodbury County Attorney's Office as a prosecutor handling child abuse and juvenile cases.^[5][6]

In 2010, Dawson opened a private law practice in Sioux City focused on children and families, where he practiced for five years.^[7][3] He returned to the Woodbury County Attorney's Office as a prosecutor in 2015.^[4] During his tenure as a prosecutor, he successfully argued a case before the Iowa Supreme Court involving children's rights.^[8]

Outside his legal career, Dawson has served on the board of Community Action Agency of Siouxland and is vice president of the board of New Perspectives, Inc.^[9] He is a former president of Siouxland CARES and served as president of the Siouxland Council on Child Abuse and Neglect.^[10]

Dawson was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives to represent the 14th district in 2012 and reelected in 2014, serving from 2013 to 2017.^[11]

During his tenure, Dawson worked on bipartisan legislation^[9] that reduced commercial property taxes with state funding to offset revenue losses for local governments, expanded Medicaid access, established a mental health crisis stabilization unit in Sioux City, and modified criminal sentencing laws.^[4] He also supported mandatory minimum sentences for caretakers whose actions resulted in a person's death.^[4] In 2016, he received the Gold Star Award from the Iowa State Sheriffs' and Deputies' Association for his work on public safety and law enforcement issues.^[10]

During his first term, Dawson served on the Commerce, Human Resources, Judiciary, and Public Safety committees and the Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee.^[11] During his second term, he served on the Commerce, Ethics, Human Resources, Judiciary, and Transportation committees and the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee.^[11]

On August 27, 2025, Dawson announced his campaign for the United States House of Representatives in Iowa's 4th congressional district.^[7][12] He won the Democratic primary in June 2026 with 39% of the vote, defeating Stephanie Steiner and Ashley WolfTornabane.^[13] He advanced to the general election against Republican nominee Chris McGowan after incumbent Representative Randy Feenstra chose to run for governor rather than seek reelection.^[13]

Dawson is married to his wife Liza.^[14] They have three children and live in Lawton, Iowa.^[15] He is a member of the Lutheran Church.^[16]