Three Democratic candidates running for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District showed agreement on most major issues during a rescheduled forum Tuesday night in Orange City.
The roughly hour-long forum, hosted by both the Sioux and Plymouth County Democrats, was held at the DeWitt Learning Commons on the campus of Northwestern College and featured an open question-and-answer format, with organizers allowing attendees to ask questions directly to the candidates.
Candidates Dave Dawson of Lawton, Stephanie Steiner of Sutherland, and Ashley WolfTornabane of Storm Lake participated in the event.
Agreement on Key Issues
The candidates aligned on several major topics, including immigration and campaign finance.
All three said immigration reform is needed, including making it easier for people to become citizens.
They also expressed concern with current federal enforcement practices, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions go too far.
The candidates also agreed on campaign finance, each saying they are not accepting AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) or corporate PAC donations.
Candidate Perspectives
While they agreed on many issues, each candidate emphasized a different approach to representing the district.
Dawson, a former state legislator and longtime prosecutor, emphasized his record of working across party lines and delivering results.
He has also highlighted agriculture and healthcare as key priorities, including support for a long-term farm bill and improving access to care.
Steiner, a retired nurse, focused on affordability and the challenges facing working families and farmers.
She has also raised concerns about rising healthcare costs, rural hospital closures, and the impact of agricultural practices on water quality and cancer rates.
WolfTornabane, a Storm Lake resident, emphasized a grassroots approach centered on everyday Iowans and expanding access to healthcare.
She has also pointed to universal healthcare and investment in education as key goals if elected.
What’s Next
All three candidates are competing ahead of the June 2 primary.
Absentee voting is now underway in Sioux County, giving voters an early opportunity to cast ballots ahead of Election Day.
On the Republican side, Chris McGowan is unopposed in the District 4 GOP primary. At one point, four other Republicans had been campaigning for the seat, but those candidates either failed to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot or dropped out.
The seat is currently held by Congressman Randy Feenstra, who is running for governor.
