Local candidates McGowan, Dawson to compete for Iowa’s 4th congressional district
The two candidates running in Iowa’s 4th congressional district have been determined after primary elections on Tuesday, with Republican Chris McGowan and Democrat Dave Dawson looking to fill the open seat vacated by current Representative Randy Feenstra.
McGowan was unopposed for the Republican nomination, and he and several state and local Republican candidates gathered for a watch party in Sioux City Tuesday evening to view the results.
McGowan, who is the president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, is well known in Sioux City and Des Moines for his economic development work. He says he will listen intently to 4th district voters on what issues concern them.
McGowan says he will debate his Democratic opponent if asked in the upcoming months.
McGowan will face Democrat Dave Dawson of Lawton in November, who issued a statement after being declared the winner of his primary saying:
“Tonight is not the finish line. It is the starting line. Because the stakes of this race are bigger than any one candidate or party.
Rural hospitals and nursing homes are at risk of closing, and health care access is being cut. Medicaid was just cut by nearly a trillion dollars. Family farms are being crushed by tariffs they did not ask for.
Seniors are being asked to choose between prescriptions and groceries.
The people who live in this district have been written off by Washington for too long, and they are tired of being lied to about it.”
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Second Chapter celebrates first anniversary in Le Mars
Second Chapter Gently Used Books, the volunteer-run bookstore located in Le Mars, is celebrating its first anniversary this month with a Community Coffee and a special anniversary coupon, which will highlight the impact the bookstore has made during its first year of operation.
Since opening in June of 2025, Second Chapter achieved several milestones, including selling over 7,700 books, having over 2,700 volunteer hours donated by over 70 volunteers, and raising over $10,000 to support the Le Mars Public Library’s programming. Operated by the Friends of the Le Mars Public Library, profits have helped support the Le Mars Public Library, including a recent donation of $2,000 in support of the Summer Reading Program.
In addition, books donated to Second Chapter are sometimes used to support other organizations, including by providing over 390 free used books to children during the annual downtown Trick or Treat event, by donating over 150 books to the Plymouth County Jail, and by replenishing Little Free Libraries in the community.
To celebrate the milestone, the bookstore will host a Community Coffee on Tuesday, June 10th, from 9:30am to 10:30am at The Living Center, 112 Central Ave NE in Le Mars. As part of the anniversary celebration, the bookstore is also issuing a special coupon for $2 off a minimum purchase of $4 between June 10th and June 27th.
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Annual city sewer cleaning begins soon
The city of Le Mars’ annual sewer cleaning will begin this month, with the city hiring an outside contractor to begin the cleaning starting Monday, June 15th.
According to the city, the area of Section 3 is to be cleaned, containing all areas south of 1st Street SW to 22nd Street SW & SE, and from 3rd Avenue SW to 7th Avenue SE. The city says cleaning could take up to 6 weeks to complete, and that residents may experience some minor sewer problems and traffic congestion in these areas.
If you have any questions regarding the sewer cleaning, please call the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 546-5003 during normal office hours. Cleaning will begin starting Monday, June 15th.
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