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 3 for Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District seat, currently held by Randy Feenstra (R-Hull).
During a recent interview on The Daily Grind, McGowan discussed the pressures facing Iowa agriculture, his support for education savings accounts, how he would approach working across party lines in Congress, and much more.
Tariffs Create Challenges for Agribusiness
McGowan said he continues to support 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 that the strategy has created difficulties for farmers and value-added agricultural businesses.
“While some people will say no to all tariffs, I will say give the president the benefit of the doubt as he works to level the playing field and open and expand foreign markets to our farmers’ products. That said, I think it’s proven more challenging than most people probably anticipated.”
McGowan said he recently met with executives from a recognizable Siouxland company operating in value-added agriculture. He said the company negotiates deals using narrow profit margins but can be hit with additional costs when tariffs are imposed after an agreement is reached.
According to McGowan, those costs can then be passed along to customers and agricultural producers. He said Congress and the administration should examine whether new tariffs can apply only to future agreements rather than changing the cost of 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.
“Right now, it’s imperative that E15 get passed in the United States Senate and signed by the president.”
McGowan said the proposal has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action. He emphasized that year-round E15 would not require consumers to purchase the fuel but would make it consistently available as another 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.
McGowan said the farmers he has met while campaigning are seeking policies that improve their ability to compete rather than continued government assistance.
“They’re not looking for a handout,” McGowan continued. “They’re looking for a hand up and some help.”
McGowan 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 that extends beyond military defense to include public health. McGowan supported additional research into why Iowa’s cancer rate differs from neighboring states, including research into possible environmental and agricultural exposures.
“We need to figure out what the issue is. And then, of course, we need to address it. And that’s what I think voters in Iowa Four would expect of their member of Congress.”
On education, McGowan voiced support for Iowa’s education savings account program and the federal scholarship tax credit.
McGowan said his family has used public schools, private schools, homeschooling and tutors while determining the best educational path for each of his six children. He said parents should have the ability to make those choices based on their children’s individual needs.
“The end goal is to educate the child, and an educated child leads to a more productive adult and a stronger society, and so I will continue to support those programs.”
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, discussed concerns surrounding 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 demonstrated that bipartisan agreements remain possible even though those measures often receive less attention than partisan disputes.
“Where there are opportunities for building consensus and finding a mutually beneficial path forward, we certainly need to explore that. And that’s what voters should expect of their elected representative.”
McGowan said a representative must also be willing to stand firm when an issue does not reflect the values of the Fourth District.
