David Pautsch to run again for Congress and challenge Miller-Meeks seat

David Pautsch, a self-described “MAGA Republican” from Davenport, is going to run for Congress once more, and he is, again, vying for Iowa’s 1st congressional district seat currently filled by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a fellow Republican who just won her second re-election bid this past election cycle.

According to a press release distributed to media last week, Pautsch intends to officially announce his candidacy in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol. Last year, Pautsch ran an unsuccessful primary campaign against Miller-Meeks. He frequently argued Miller-Meeks wasn’t conservative enough.

Still, the primary loss seems to have only re-energized Pautsch’s campaign. Despite only getting 44 percent of the vote, Pautsch viewed it a strong showing when considering his six months of campaigning as an “underfunded unknown.” In Jasper County, it was clear Republican voters preferred Miller-Meeks.

Pautsch only earned 728 votes, or 37.05 percent of the vote, in Jasper County, while Miller-Meeks received 1,235 votes, or 62.85 percent.

In the press release, Pautsch said he is the father of six children. His 20-year-old son, Army Cpl. Jason Pautsch, died in Iraq in 2009. Pautsch founded the annual Quad Cities Prayer Breakfast in 1995 and has owned Ramsey Ad Agency since 1990. He is an Army veteran and a graduate of Virgina Tech.

Pautsch is a supporter of President Donald Trump. In the press release, Pautsch touted that after meeting him twice in December 2023, Trump called him “a very good man.” He also noted he has been endorsed by author and conservative radio host Eric Metaxas and My Pillow founder Mike Lindell.

In 2024, Lindell said, “David’s commitment to saving America by trusting in God’s power is unwavering. His leadership guarantees constitutional liberty, biblical values, fair and honest elections and a bright future for our children.” Pautsch has also been endorsed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Pautsch is running for Congress because “he wants to help President Trump save America from the financial and moral corruption that has caused us to drift from the solid spiritual and constitutional foundations upon which our founders established this country.”