David Pautsch

David Pautsch is a candidate for Representative in Congress District 1 Primary Election in 2026 in Congressional District 1, Iowa.

Marketing consultant and Executive Director of Thy Kingdom Come Ministries in Davenport, IA

Also running: Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Christina Bohannan, Travis Terrell.

David Pautsch, a self-proclaimed "MAGA Republican" from Davenport, Iowa, is campaigning for the Republican nomination in Iowa's 1st Congressional District in 2026. He is challenging incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks, having previously lost to her in the 2024 Republican primary. Born in Jacksonville, Illinois, Pautsch served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1976, playing tuba in the Army Continental Band. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing communications from Virginia Tech in 1980. His professional background includes work as a marketing consultant and executive director of Thy Kingdom Come Ministries. He presents himself as a more conservative alternative and is affiliated with RiverCity Church, Quad Cities. He is a father of six, having lost a son who was serving in the Army in Iraq in 2009.