Former US Attorney Kevin Techau announced his candidacy for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District on Thursday. He will run against Republican incumbent US Rep. Ashley Hinson.
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.
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Iowans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Iowa Starting Line has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Iowan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
Knoxville chamber director joins race against US Sen. Joni Ernst
Some important names in Iowa Democratic politics are mulling a run against US Sen. Joni Ernst. This week, a newcomer became the first to announce...
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will not run for reelection in 2026
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has led the state for a decade, but has now made the surprise decision to not seek a third term in 2026. Iowa Governor Kim...
Op-ed: State Forced Districting Seeks To Further Divide Iowans
Over the past two weeks, Senate File 75, a bill exclusively and explicitly targeting counties with regent universities (Black Hawk, Johnson and...
Special election to fill state house seat in southeast Iowa
There will be a special election to fill a state House District covering Fort Madison and Keokuk. The election will take place on March 11. Friday...
Special election is Tuesday for Clinton state Senate seat
Tuesday's special election will decide who fills the vacancy left by Lieutenant Gov. Chris Cournoyer. The special election for the vacant state...
Rita Hart reelected to lead Iowa Democrats in 2025
Iowa Democrats voted to reelect Rita Hart to lead the party for another four years. On Saturday, the Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee...
