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David Pautsch

RepublicanFirst-time candidate

Marketing consultant

David Pautsch is a Republican candidate for U.S. House Iowa District 1 in the 2026 election. This is their first run for office.

From the candidate’s public filings

Background

David Pautsch was born in Jacksonville, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1976. Pautsch earned a bachelor's degree in marketing communications from Virginia Tech in 1980. His career experience includes working as a marketing consultant and serving as executive director of Thy Kingdom Come Ministries. He has been affiliated with RiverCity Church, Quad Cities.[1][2]

Bachelor's:
Virginia Tech, 1980

Campaign money

Raised
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From individuals
$0
From PACs & party
$0
Own money
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FEC filings.

View on FEC.gov(opens in new tab)

Campaign themes

David Pautsch did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased February 24, 2024

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a long-term Iowan, having spent 3/4 of my life in Iowa. My father was an evangelical pastor for 49 years and my mother was born in Norway, arriving here in the US when she was just a year old. I am one of 7 children. I am the second oldest.

I spent four years in the Army, mostly in Virginia, and another 4 years at Virginia Tech, from where I graduated in 1980 with a degree in Marketing/Communications.

I've also lived in Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, California, Colorado, and Arizona. I purchased a Davenport, Iowa advertising agency, started in 1923, and have worked extensively with ag-oriented companies, helping them market their products and services.

Since 1995, when I started The Quad Cities Prayer Breakfast, I have been involved with city-wide ministry, trying to be a blessing to city leaders and families. The basic goal for all of is to come into a closer relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ. These events have results in may large crowds of 1000 to 2500, and sometimes much larger in the local arena.

I have seriously been considering involving myself in governmental life and politics since the fall of 2021 when some Christians leaders shared some insights about my life and the gifts and opportunities before me. Finally, in November of 2023, I took the plunge and entered the race for the 1st District Congressional seat in Iowa. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Strengthening families. Everything begins with the family. It's the bedrock of society. So I want to ensure the preeminence of parental rights, free of government intrusion forcing woke sexual agendas on students, in combination with transgender predation.

FAMILIES: Raising children is expensive and dramatic reductions in inflation are critical. Government should allow the free market system to provide the lowest cost private health care possible.

Incentivize the presence of the father and mother in the home. Enhance practical education opportunities. And protect our children from bullies at school by empowering school discipline and accountability.BORDER TERRORIST INVASION: Biden has intentionally created the invasion at the border and nothing short of removing him and his corrupt administration will solve this horrific national security crisis.

With a courageous Congress and Trump as our brave President, the border can easily be sealed, terrorist cells can be immediately identified and neutralized, sex trafficking and drug cartels can be destroyed, and compassionate deportation of illegal invaders can begin. All immigration should be frozen (except in special compassionate cases) until the deportation is complete.PROTECTING LIFE FROM THE WOMB TO THE TOMB: Common sense tells us that protecting life is everyone's job, on both a State and Federal level. The task would be easier if the Federal government established a National Adoption Care Network (NACN) where non-governmental organizations were funded to identify pregnant mothers and provide non-judgmental aid for these mothers who may be in a financial and emotional bind, unable to keep and care for their unborn child. Instead of 900,000 children being aborted each, NACN could match these UNWANTED babies with the 2 million couples WANTING to adopt them. Currently only 115,000 children are adopted each year.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

CARE FOR VETERANS. Since I am a veteran, and because my two oldest boys served in the Army, and are combat veterans, I want soldiers cared for well. They deserve it. My oldest son came home from Afghanistan in 2012 with PTSD and struggles to this day. My second oldest son served in Iraq and never came home. He was killed on Good Friday, April 10, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq (Ninevah).

I see the struggles my son endures and am aghast that our country has wasted $175 billion on Ukraine and political corruption, perpetrating the slaughter of 440,000 Ukrainians and 150,000 Russians, for no reasons of national interest, while our veterans suffer at home for lack of just a bit more assistance, so they don't lose their homes and vehicles.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I admire Jesus Christ. I also admire my Dad because he was a man of principle, and I greatly admire my Uncle Ed who has always believed in me. He always suggested I run for office since he saw my picture with Dick Cheney in 2003.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Scriptures. Read the Psalms and Proverbs especially, and get a heart of the LORD's love for people by reading the Gospel of John.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The key characteristics are respect for the LORD and His Word, and honesty with oneself and others.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 says leaders should read from the scriptures every day and learn how God wants to bless people, and so that the king does not become arrogant and look down on his people he's to care for, and may live and rule for many days.

People who are ignorant of the Word of God are not qualified to lead anything. But those who do should be filled with a heart of love for people in order to bless them and see to it that they are protected and prosper.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm willing to believe the LORD's promises for our country and I am principled upon moral absolutes. I also love people and enjoy my attempts at bring blessings to their lives, whether we agree with each other or not.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Leaders are first of all sworn to. protect and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic. They need to know and read the Constitution and filter all legislation and policy through a grid of what contributes to freedom and justice.

They should also be fiscally responsible stewards and loathe the idea of deficit spending and frivolous use the the scare resources of the people. Federal official especially should recognize that the Federal government was never meant to be the Masters of the States, but their servants.

As such, it is the duty of leaders to engage with their constituents in oder to LISTEN to them, take them SERIOUSLY, and seek to UNDERSTAND them (LSU).

What legacy would you like to leave?

I'm not really concerned about legacies and what people think of me. More than anything I was to live a life pleasing to the LORD Jesus as one who believed Him to be trustworthy and worthy of my praise, even in the midst of trials.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the election of John F. Kennedy in 1959.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I delivered a "shopper" for two year from 5 through 7th grade.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It has the "power of the purse" and it ought to use it get bypass the corrupt members of the Biden administration. It also has certain judicial and enforcement policies that it seems too weak to considering using.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

To some extent it is helpful, but the lack of it is of great benefit because their thinking is unstained. The seven last words of a dying organization are, "We've always done it that way before." I bring a fresh perspective on how government should operate, built upon 70 years of living with common sense and numerous failures.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Lack of moral absolutes is destroying our country. The idea of governing with "moral neutrality" is as ridiculous as the concept of playing sports without rules. It only creates confusion, destruction and disorder. Our country should return to a system of moral absolutes based on our Judeo-Christian moorings, as our Founders set it up. It is the only love-based morality in the world because it honors the Most High God, the LORD Jesus.

This does not mean that we force people to relinquish their personal freedom to believe and practice as they like in private, but it does establish a public policy of absolutes upon which laws should be filtered for the public good.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Absolutely not. A two year term means you spend the majority of your time running for re-election.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Terms limit are essential. Relying on elections to accomplish this has failed. For starters terms in the House are too short for Representatives to accomplish much in one short two-year term. Three six-year terms in the Senate, and five three-year terms in Congress should be sufficient. Career politicians were never envisioned by our Founders.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Newt Gingrich

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I'm touched by several stories of legislators reaching across the aisle, laying aside their philosophical differences, in order to benefit each other as humans, not politicians.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I believe in compromise as long as it does not compromise principle. Just "going along to get along" is an outrageous concept premised on weakness. There are many mountains not worth dying on, but others that require a fierce commitment in order to make progress.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

It would provide great leverage to offset some of the wicked violations of the current fake Presidency where they are lawlessly functioning outside the boundaries of the Constitution and Supreme Court.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House should use these powers aggressively to expose the corruption and lawlessness throughout government and society. Congress can bring about great accountability but it has currently accepted the limitations of the corrupt Department of Justice and the intimidation of the Deep State's money.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Governor Mike Huckabee

Mike Lindell

Eric Metaxas

Rep. Brad Sherman (Iowa)

Rep. Luana Stoltenberg (Iowa)

What committees interest you?

Armed Services

Budget

Foreign Affairs

Homeland Security

Judiciary

Small Business

Veterans Affairs

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

These are basic and essential principles to follow in every aspect of government. Problems are usually discovered by "following the money." There are gross amounts of financial secrecy and duplicity that should be undercovered and exposed for Congress to regain the public trust. Currently at least 82% of the American people are seriously upset with Congress because of all the frivolous spending, secrecy and duplicity.

Campaign website

David Pautsch’s campaign website stated the following:

I will aggressively seal and secure our borders, destroy the drug and sex trafficking cartels, and compassionately deport the illegal invaders. Since Biden intentionally opened the borders, Congress should force him to correct it by all the economic and legal powers at their disposal.

I will restore energy independence, reduce inflation by slashing government spending and eliminating bureaucratic departments and agencies, balance the budget, return to the gold standard, drastically reduce business regulations and taxes, and eliminate the IRS and the income tax.

I will overhaul our current judicial system which is corrupted by bribed judges and prosecutors, needless and lengthy delays with prosecution and sentencing, defunding of the police, and widespread failure to enforce the laws in place.

Families are the bedrock of our society and I will fight for parental rights, free of woke government intrusion with warped sexual agendas and transgender predation. I will work for low-cost, free-market medical care, practical education, and the protection of children at school from bullies by empowering school administrators to discipline.

I will work hard to defund the woke and corrupt government agencies, educators, and corporations now weaponized against our patriotic citizens

From conception, I will vigorously guard the life of unborn children and lovingly support women who keep, or adopt-out, their child

I will fight to protect our farmers and farmland from radical environmentalists who believe the lie that carbon excesses cause global warming, and seek to destroy our farms, waterways and farm economy with baseless regulations, CO2 pipelines and wind turbine proliferation.

Rescind all "red flag" laws allowing the government to arbitrarily declare gun owners "Unfit To Own. Address the root cause of weapons by limiting the excessive medication of people with psychotropic drugs. Write laws allow gun owners to defend themselves, and abolish the ATF.

Without destroying personal rights, Judeo-Christian morality should be settled as a matter of public policy, as our Founders intended, with a view to end the confusing and lethal impacts of "moral neutrality." Our national and State organic documents all intend to honor YHWH, the Most High God, and not decadence, murder, and idolatry.

[3]

—David Pautsch’s campaign website (2024)[4]

On the 2026 ballot

Links

Compiled from the candidate’s published profile as of September 30, 2026 and FEC filings.

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