Attorney Kevin Techau to take on Hinson for seat in Congress

Former US Attorney Kevin Techau is running to represent northeastern Iowa. He will take on incumbent Republican US Rep. Ashley Hinson.

Former US Attorney Kevin Techau announced his candidacy for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District on Thursday. As of this week, he is the sole Democrat who’s announced a run against Republican US Rep. Ashley Hinson. 

A sixth-generation Iowan, Techau has served as Iowa Commissioner of Public Safety under former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and as the US Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. He served seven years on active duty in the US Air Force, followed by nearly two decades in the Iowa National Guard, retiring as a colonel.

“When I talk to people, they’re wondering paycheck to paycheck how they’re gonna make ends meet,” Techau told Iowa Starting Line. “Ashley Hinson lined up with Elon Musk. It’s a relentless pursuit against the middle class. Billionaires and corporations are scamming the system so the rich get richer, and every day Iowans are struggling.”

He criticized Washington politics as being disconnected from the needs of ordinary Iowans, pledging to focus on protecting Social Security, making healthcare more affordable, and supporting middle-class families.

“I’ve spent my life fighting for what’s right,” Techau said in a release. “I’m fed up with politicians in Washington selling out Iowa working families and farmers by letting the billionaires and big corporations scam the system. Holding Washington accountable and making government work for people starts right here in northeast Iowa. And it’s why I’m running for Congress.”

Techau resides in Cedar Rapids with his wife Stephanie. His campaign plans to tour the district in the coming weeks.

Hinson used to be a TV anchor for KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids. In 2017, she ran as a Republican and was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. In 2020, she climbed the ladder, beating Democrat Abby Finkenauer for her seat in Congress. She is in her third term. 

Critics, including her new challenger Techau, have targeted Hinson’s voting record on infrastructure funding. Despite campaigning on infrastructure investment, Hinson voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.

In 20204, President Donald Trump won the state by 13 percentage points, a victory margin that Iowa Congressmembers like US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks underperformed. But Hinson handily won reelection 2024, beating Democrat Sarah Corkery by 15 points. The Cook Political Report did not rate Iowa’s 2nd as among its list of 70 competitive races in 2026. 

The 2nd District covers much of northeastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Dubuque.