400 Essex Street, Sioux City, IA 51103 • 712.898.5804 • david@dawsonforiowa.com

Democrat for Iowa House

Biography

Born and raised in northwest Iowa, David grew up in the small town of Washta, IA, about 40 miles east of Sioux City. Washta is known as "The Coldest Spot in Iowa" because of its record low temperature set in 1912.

David graduated as Valedictorian from Willow Community High School in 1992. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1996 with degrees in Sociology and Psychology. David went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1999.

After completing law school, David accepted an attorney position with the Law Firm of Winston & Strawn in Chicago where he worked in the litigation department and travelled across the United States for various legal proceedings.

In 2002, David moved to Sioux City to become a prosecutor in the Juvenile Division of the Woodbury County Attorney's Office. While there, David prosecuted gang members, sex offenders, and other juvenile delinquents. In 2006 and 2007 David argued cases before the Iowa Supreme Court to help ensure equal treatment of children in juvenile casses. As a prosecutor David served on state and local committees dedicated to improving child welfare, delinquency, and juvenile court laws and policies. As a county employee, David was also a member of AFSCME.

Since 2004, Dawson has been active with the Woodbury County Democratic Party, and from 2008 to 2010 served as the Finance Chair.

In 2010, David started his own law office in Sioux City where he works as an advocate for children and families.

David has lived on Sioux City's westside for the past nine hears. He is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City, previously serving as a church elder, and  is also a former Sioux City West High School volleyball coach.