Dave Bushaw launches independent bid for Iowa’s 2nd District U.S. House seat

Declaring that the two major political parties have failed the working class, rural organizer, farmer and folk musician Dave Bushaw is launching an independent campaign for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, built around universal health care, rural revitalization and economic opportunity.

Bushaw, 31, will formally kick off his campaign Nov. 22 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in his hometown of West Union. He said his campaign aims to give Iowans “an option to vote on self-determination rather than desperation” in a district where independents outnumber Democrats.

As of Nov. 1, the district had 154,227 active no-party voters, compared to 136,797 active Democrats and 163,030 active Republicans, according to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.

“I think it’s been proven over my lifetime that the two major parties have no interest in adequately representing the working class,” Bushaw told The Gazette. “Members of the working class have never occupied more than 2 percent of the seats in Congress. So I’m running as an independent to give people in Iowa, especially this second congressional district, the option they seem to want.”

The race is open following U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s decision to run for U.S. Senate. Democrats seeking the seat include state Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque, retired Army nurse Kathy Dolter of Asbury, hotel manager Guy Morgan of Boone, former state park manager Don Primus of Steamboat Rock, and Cedar Rapids nonprofit cofounder Clint Twedt-Ball. Republicans running are state Rep. Shannon Lundgren of Peosta, state Sen. Charlie McClintock of Alburnett, and former state lawmaker Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake.

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A working-class message

Bushaw said his campaign will focus on “worker power,” universal health care, affordable child care, and revitalizing rural economies he says have been neglected by corporate agriculture and politicians of both parties.

The Fayette County native detasseled corn, worked in a chicken hatchery, and held jobs in meatpacking and quality control before starting his own squash farm at 19 — becoming, his campaign says, “one of the youngest self-made independent farmland owners” in the country. A folk musician, Bushaw performs for striking workers and teaches union organizing.

He worked as an organizer for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign in Iowa, Nevada, and South Carolina, and later with United Today, Stronger Tomorrow, a group tackling rural issues such as health care access, job losses, and equitable federal investment. He also helped found Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County, a group advocating for rail safety and infrastructure improvements.

Universal health care and economic reform

Bushaw said his push for universal health care stems from firsthand experience with rural medical costs and barriers to access.

“Premiums, co-payments, and deductibles are private taxes imposed on the working class,” he said. “We rank near dead last in health outcomes but first in cost. We can damn sure figure out how to pay for health care for our citizens.”

He argues that the U.S. could afford universal coverage by reprioritizing spending. “If we can send billions of dollars for bombs to a country that guarantees health care as a human right, we can figure out how to do it here.”

A grassroots path to the ballot

Running as an independent, Bushaw faces an uphill path to the November 2026 ballot. He needs about 1,700 valid signatures but plans to collect more than 10,000 to ensure eligibility.

“In my community organizing work, I’m no stranger to uphill battles,” he said, noting he helped lead a successful petition drive in Pottawattamie County to trigger a special election restructuring county supervisor districts, collecting nearly twice the required number of signatures.

Bushaw said his campaign will follow the Bernie Sanders model — powered by small-dollar donors, grassroots volunteers, and direct voter engagement rather than big-money fundraisers.

Populism beyond party lines

Bushaw describes his platform as “progressive economic populism” with cross-partisan appeal. He supports firearm and hunter safety classes in schools, saying “the working class will not be disarmed,” while also advocating for stronger labor rights, rural diversification and child care affordability.

He argues that Iowa’s dependence on corn and soybeans has made farmers vulnerable to global markets and corporate consolidation. “What happened to oats? Why are we buying them from Canada when we used to grow 6 million acres right here in Iowa?” he asked.

Bushaw also calls for domestic manufacturing investment to reduce economic dependency on volatile global markets. “I’m not anti-tariff, but I believe tariffs must be coupled with investment in American industry and manufacturing,” he said.

Taking on the establishment

Bushaw rejects the idea that his campaign could act as a spoiler for Democrats.

“Democrats have fewer registered voters than independents in this district,” he said. “Let’s talk about who the real spoiler is. Democrats haven’t done a very good job at winning anything in this state lately.”

He frames his candidacy as a movement to challenge the political establishment.

“This isn’t just about me — it’s about all of us,” Bushaw said. “This is the time to take on the political establishment and say, ‘Enough is enough.’”

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com