David Pautsch
Republican candidate for U.S. House in Iowa
IA-01 Republican nominee?
$18.1K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — IA-01 Republican nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
8%chance to win
$18.1KJUN 3, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleMinistry founder
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
LocationIowa
BackgroundMinistry founder
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Notable personal detailsDavid Alfred Pautsch is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House seeking election in Iowa's 1st Congressional District. He has been involved in faith-based civic organizing in the Quad Cities area, including founding Thy Kingdom Come Ministry and organizing the Quad Cities Prayer Breakfast. He has filed with the FEC and has an authorized principal campaign committee, David Pautsch for Congress.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates major tax cuts and aggressive reduction of federal government size, including eliminating the IRS and the income tax, balancing the federal budget, returning to the gold standard, and cutting regulations to lower inflation and support business. He frames federal spending as a primary driver of inflation and supports shutting down the federal government if necessary to achieve conservative budget goals.
Healthcare
Supports low-cost, free-market medical care and market-oriented approaches to reduce costs; opposes expanded government/"woke" involvement in healthcare and emphasizes limiting excessive psychiatric medication policies tied to public safety.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports aggressive border sealing, destruction of drug and sex‑trafficking cartels, and deportation of people who enter illegally while allowing some compassionate exceptions; he calls for improving immigration laws to prevent entry of “bad” immigrants and speed processing for those deemed good. His platform emphasizes strict enforcement measures and expanded deportations as primary policy responses to immigration and border challenges.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate identifies as pro-life and supports restrictions on abortion; his campaign materials describe him as 100% pro-life and oppose public funding for abortion providers. He has received endorsements from pro-life leaders and has criticized opponents for supporting abortion access.
Climate & Energy
The candidate rejects the science of anthropogenic climate change, opposes wind turbine development and related regulations or CO2 infrastructure, and calls for restoring energy independence with preference for traditional energy sources and nuclear power as an alternative to wind. These positions emphasize opposition to climate regulations and skepticism about carbon-driven warming.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes red flag laws and supports strong Second Amendment protections, including allowing gun owners to defend themselves and abolishing the ATF. Seeks to rescind laws that permit government removal of firearms and emphasizes protecting gun rights.
Latest News
David Pautsch was defeated by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the Republican primary for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. That result set up another general-election rematch between Miller-Meeks and Democrat Christina Bohannan. The district is now drawing major outside attention and spending, with Democrats and Planned Parenthood targeting the race as a competitive battleground.
Republican Miller-Meeks, Democrat Bohannan head for rematch in Iowa congressional race
Rep. Miller-Meeks to Newsmax: Iowa Voters Will Reject Dems' Push
GOP's Miller-Meeks, Dem Bohannan Head for Rematch in Iowa Congress Race
Miller-Meeks, Bohannan set for 1st District race
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements