Congresssional Candidate Dave Dawson Makes His Pitch At Town Hall

Woodbury County prosecutor and former state representative Dave Dawson, Democratic Party candidate for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, addressed multiple issues Monday evening during a town hall meeting at the Glenwood Public Library.

Dawson, who was born in Cherokee and raised in Washta, a town of less than 300 citizens known as the “Coldest Spot in Iowa,” told his audience that he would be a voice for rural America if elected to Congress.

Dawson said his priorities include improving mental health services in Iowa. He noted that Iowa currently ranks 49th nationally for in-patient mental health beds.

“Often times, our ERs (emergency rooms) are overrun for days with children waiting for beds,” he said. “We need to do better for our mental health services in the state.”

Federal funding cuts for health care are also a major concern for Dawson.

“The huge health care cuts by Congress last summer in the budget bill will make it even more difficult for families to access the care and treatment that they need to improve their lives, especially in rural communities,” said Dawson “The Medicaid funding that was nearly $1 trillion dollars, over 10% of the federal budget funding in that area, will be cut and I knew exactly who would be impacted most – children, disabled individuals, people who are pregnant and the elderly who are in nursing homes. If we don’t have funding to ensure payment for long-term care in nursing homes, will our nursing homes in small towns start to close as our schools have over the last 30 years?

“We need to do better by everybody, especially the most vulnerable citizens in our community.”

Dawson said Iowans in the 4th District deserve to be represented by a person who puts the needs of his constituents over the wishes of his political party.

“We need to work to restore decency, ethics and the rule of law in our democracy,” he said. “It’s time for a U.S. representative who cares more about the people than party politics, cares more about their constituents than their corporate donors and who wants to get things done for the district, not the donors.”

Audience members asked Dawson to share his views and thoughts on several issues, including the impact of large data centers on rural communities, water quality, cancer rates in Iowa, eminent domain, health issues for women, education funding and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Dawson said national immigration issues and growing unrest with ICE are directly related to a spike in federal funding over the past year and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s lack of experience and understanding of immigration.

As a prosecutor, Dawson said he works closely with law enforcement officers on a regular basis and has a strong appreciation for the job they do, but has serious concerns with the actions and tactics being employed by ICE agents.

Dawson noted that during his four-year stint in the Iowa House Of Representatives (from 2013-2017), he was presented a Gold Star Award from the Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association for his efforts in passage of legislation to protect children from abuse. He has been a prosecutor in Woodbury County for more than 20 years, specializing in child abuse cases.”

“I took that job so I could help protect the public and improve the lives of children,” he said. “I have prosecuted drug dealers and other criminals and I specialize in cases involving victims of child abuse.”

Monday’s town hall was Dawson’s third appearance in Mills County since announcing his “Let’s Grow Iowa Together” candidacy.

Dawson is one of three candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination in the 4th District, along with Stephanie Steiner and Ashely WolfTornabane.