Dave Dawson Holds Town Hall in Hampton During Campaign Tour

Democratic candidate discusses healthcare, cancer rates, and other issues with constituents.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:29pm

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Democratic congressional candidate Dave Dawson visited Hampton, Iowa on Wednesday for a town hall event at the public library as part of his 'Grow Iowa Together' campaign tour. Dawson, a former state representative and current prosecutor, discussed his plans for the Fourth Congressional District, including addressing healthcare access and funding, high cancer rates in the state, and other key issues raised by constituents.

Why it matters

The Fourth Congressional District race is an open seat, with the current representative running for governor. Dawson's town hall provided an opportunity for voters in the district, which includes the broadcast area, to hear directly from the candidate on his policy positions and priorities.

The details

At the town hall, Dawson spoke about the need to reverse recent healthcare funding cuts that have impacted rural hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. He also acknowledged concerns about Iowa's high cancer rates and called for increased federal research funding to identify the causes and develop better prevention and treatment methods.

  • Dawson held the town hall on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Dave Dawson

A Democratic candidate running for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District seat. Dawson is a former state representative and currently serves as a prosecutor in the Woodbury County Attorney's Office.

Randy Feenstra

The current U.S. Representative for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District, who has announced he is running for governor.

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What they’re saying

“We need to reverse the budget bill last year that took nearly a trillion dollars in healthcare funding away from our country. That's over 10% of the funding for the Medicaid system that small clinics and hospitals across the fourth district rely on.”

— Dave Dawson, Democratic Congressional Candidate

“I'm not a scientist and I'm not a doctor, but I think the federal government should be funding research to make sure we're addressing the causes of cancer, the treatments of cancer and ways to prevent cancer.”

— Dave Dawson, Democratic Congressional Candidate

What’s next

Dawson will continue his Grow Iowa Together campaign tour, with additional town hall events scheduled in the coming weeks leading up to the November election.

The takeaway

Dawson's town hall highlighted key issues for voters in Iowa's Fourth Congressional District, including healthcare access and funding, as well as the state's high cancer rates. As an open seat race, Dawson's campaign provides an opportunity for constituents to hear directly from the candidates on their policy platforms and priorities.