Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Scott VORGIEZ Right now, I want to welcome on here
a military veteran who is a business advocate, Sioux City
guy and decided to be a politician. What a What
an interesting decision for a seemingly nice guy. Chris McGowan
joins us here on news radio eleven ten KFAB. He's
running Iowa's fourth congressional district since Congressman Randy Feinstra is
(00:25):
looking at running for governor.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Chris.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Welcome to eleven ten KFAB.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Hey, Scott, thank you so much, and I appreciate you're
referring to me as a military veteran. I'm very proud
of that. And I'll also take the moniker a seemingly
nice guy. Thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Well, we'll see. We all have the right to change
our minds on that one, Chris. But you're starting off
on the right foot here. I'm curious. You've got six kids,
five of whom are in the armed forces. What's the
matter with that other one?
Speaker 2 (00:56):
She's only thirteen, So yeah, she has big plans though, Scott.
She told her mother and I that she will one
day be a student at the United States Naval Academy
and we'll do everything we can to support her. We're
super proud of our children. My father is a Vietnam veteran.
I served in the Iowa Air National Guard years ago,
(01:19):
and as I said, I couldn't be proud or to
have raised children who have chosen the path to serve
their country.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Having served six years in our National Guard as an
intelligence officer. When you ended your time here and with
your kids with some skin in the game, because there
are a lot of people here who have said over
the last few days, well, if President Trump's going to
get us into World War three, I hope members of
Trump's family and all of his MAGA supporters and voters
(01:45):
are on the front lines as we march into Iran
to go into war. Your kids are in the armed forces.
You know what it's like to serve in our nation's military.
What did you think about President Trump's move to support
Israel takeout Iran's nuclear facilities when there were so many
people that said He's going to get us into World
(02:06):
War three?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, Scott, I've been to Israel. I've been in the
kibbutz that was just across the Israeli border from Gaza.
There was attack where innocent men, women and children were
slaughtered by Hamad terrorists funded by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(02:29):
Iran has made it their stated objective to wipe Israel
off the map, and as our leading ally in the
Middle East, I'm glad that the President took decisive action
and said we cannot allow a regime with those stated
objectives to acquire a nuclear weapon. And in start contrast
(02:51):
to what some of the people were saying that you
cited in the lead up to your question, the opposite
has been and proven true thus far, that we have
a cease fire, that Iran and Israel have both come
to the negotiating table, and let's give the President of
the United States, who serves as our commander in chief,
the opportunity to bring peace through strength. I'm very hopeful
(03:15):
that will be the end result.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Let's not get too excited about the potential for lasting
peace in the Middle East. Past performance is no guarantee
of future results. But I would say that lasting peace
in the region seems difficult, if not impossible, to achieve, right.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I wouldn't say that it is impossible to achieve. We
have history over the years, you know, Egypt and Israel
made peace in the late nineteen seventies and for the
most part that has held. I don't have any illusions
about the Iranians wanting peace with Israel, but I do
(03:58):
believe that they don't want to see more military action
from what they have long referred to as the Great
Satan dominating their airspace.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Talking here with Chris McGowan, military veteran running for Congress,
just announced in Iowa was fighting fourth congressional district. This
action against Iran comes at a time when we've seen
protests in the streets of America related to the Palestinian authority,
which wants to be a nation state. You've got people
(04:30):
out there saying from the river to the sea, which
would be the end of Israel. You've got a candidate
for mayor of New York City who has called the
Israelis genocidal for what they've done in battling back the
Hummas terrorists that you referred to. What do you think
about what's going on in our country right now as
it relates to Israel.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
So, as I said a moment ago, Scott, I've had
the opportunity to travel in Israel. I have built a
friendship with the gentleman and by the name of Hillel Fold.
Hillel's older brother Ari was murdered by a teenage Palestinian
terrorist in Israel. So that gets a little bit close
when you start to know the people directly involved. Israel
(05:16):
lives in a very dangerous neighborhood. They have every right
to protect themselves. Our Jewish brothers and sisters have endured
a great deal in the last century. They are ever vigilant,
and I will stand with the Nation of Israel as
a member of Congress so that they can defend themselves
and defend their borders.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Talking about protests in this country and moving on to
a different topic, we've certainly seen the Trump administration start
loading up right now. There's a lot in this next
budget there for not just border security, but also new
ICE employees, detention centers, he says, with the deportations of
(05:56):
criminal illegal immigrants in our country will continue and maybe
even ramp up a bit in the years to come.
And this, of course is people are protesting across the
country anytime ICE does anything. What are your thoughts on
illegal immigration and the actions of the Trump administration.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Scott, That question actually flows from the question that we
just discussed. There's a great deal of concern right now
that after the Trump administration took the decisive action and
made the decision to bomb those three nuclear sites in Iran,
that we as Americans need to now be concerned about
the potential for Iranian sleeper cells in the United States
(06:42):
of America. That should underscore for everyone the importance of
border security. This is not just confined to the southern border.
It's all of our borders, and it's not just confined
to terrorism. Can find to the trafficking of fentanyl that's
(07:03):
killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens. It's got to
be stopped. We have human trafficking coming across our southern
border in particular, and I think Tom Holman leading ICE
has done an incredible job and been a tremendous manifestation
of President Trump's commitment to secure our borders.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
What should be done with those who are in our
country illegally, whether they've recently crossed here or whether they're
these Dream act kids who were brought here as children,
pretty much raised here and they're not criminals. They would
rather not be deported to some country they don't know
by immigration customs enforcement. But there's no real good way
(07:45):
to put them on some sort of status in this country.
Is there anything that can or should be done for
people in that classification?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Another excellent question, and I think that we have to
ask ourselves exactly what we want from immigration policy. The
Democrats and Republicans do not seem too eager to solve
an issue that has been with us forever. Quite honestly,
I know that during the Reagan administration there was a
(08:16):
very significant amnesty action. We don't know how many millions
of illegals are in our country today. Some people refer
to them as undocumented. As an economic development professional for
the last twenty years working in Iowa, Nebraka and South Dakota,
(08:36):
I can tell you that we have real challenges with labor. However,
we cannot allow anyone to exploit labor. Labor deserves a
fair wage for their work. And I'm surprised to see
that the opposition party isn't more adamant about this issue.
(08:58):
But I will tell you where this begins, and it
begins any negotiation has to begin with a secure and
impenetrable southern border. That's where we start the conversation.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Chris McGowan is a military veteran. He mentioned an economic
development leader there from his town, born and raised Sioux
City guy.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Right, Yeah, that's absolutely right. I graduated from Healing High
School in nineteen eighty five, and I'm proud to call
Sioux City my hometown.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
What about South Sioux City? Do you hate South Sioux City?
It's the Nebraska side of the area.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I'm on the Nebraska side of the border every day.
I do work in a three state metropolitan area. The
organization that I lead in economic development is focused on
helping our metropolitan statistical area, which does include South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Okay, good, But you're running for Congress in Iowa's fourth district,
which is a huge district, so you're it's going to
feel like you're traveling across three straits every single day
as you're back and forth against Iowa's fourth district. We
got a ways to go until this Republican primary is
seen to fruition. But why is it that you decided
(10:17):
to run for Congress and be a politician, which doesn't
exactly have a great ring to it in many people's minds.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Well, Scott, first and foremost, I'm fifty eight years old,
and I believe the founders of our exceptional country had
a vision that men and women would serve in their
various vocations, and after acquiring a great deal of experience,
perhaps expertise, but certainly wisdom, that they would offer themselves
(10:46):
and that experience gained through working in various capacities, that
they would come to a legislative body and they would contribute.
I am not a career politician. I've never sought elected office.
I'm doing it in the later stages of my professional
career because I believe that's the vision our founders had.
(11:08):
Do a job, raise the family, contribute to your community,
and then come and make significant contributions to the legislative process.
I believe that was their vision. It's a vision that
I have great confidence in, and I hope I content
at this point in contribute to to share with you
that I raised children with the mantra of Thomas Payne
(11:31):
during the Revolutionary War, and Thomas Paine said or wrote
rather in seventeen seventy seven, and I quote, those who
expect to reach the blessings of freedom must undergo the
fatigue of supporting it unquote. And while some people may
believe that a manifest call to service in the profession
(11:53):
of arms, and I believe that it is, but it
is also a call to service in other ways. I
have to in uniform. And now I'm going to try
and serve as a legislative member of our legislative body
in Washington, DC.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
You got a campaign website. You have been a candidate
for this office for just a matter of hours. Now
what's the website?
Speaker 2 (12:14):
You can visit us at McGowan for Iowa dot com.
We're grateful for this opportunity to visit with you, Scott.
I hope that we have a chance to visit in person,
and I would be grateful to have the support of
your listening audience.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Yeah, next time you're in Council Bluffs, that's part of
the district, stop over here in Iowa in Omaha and
say hello. Look forward to it.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I will make sure I do. I started my morning
at seven am and Council Bluff today, but I'll be
back soon, all.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Right, Chris McGowan, good talking to you, and good luck
in this.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Ry a million Scott.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Bye bye, Scott for these mornings nine to eleven our
news Radio eleven ten KFAB
Scott VORGIEZ Right now, I want to welcome on here
a military veteran who is a business advocate, Sioux City
guy and decided to be a politician. What a What
an interesting decision for a seemingly nice guy. Chris McGowan
joins us here on news radio eleven ten KFAB. He's
running Iowa's fourth congressional district since Congressman Randy Feinstra is
(00:25):
looking at running for governor.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Chris.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Welcome to eleven ten KFAB.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Hey, Scott, thank you so much, and I appreciate you're
referring to me as a military veteran. I'm very proud
of that. And I'll also take the moniker a seemingly
nice guy. Thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Well, we'll see. We all have the right to change
our minds on that one, Chris. But you're starting off
on the right foot here. I'm curious. You've got six kids,
five of whom are in the armed forces. What's the
matter with that other one?
Speaker 2 (00:56):
She's only thirteen, So yeah, she has big plans though, Scott.
She told her mother and I that she will one
day be a student at the United States Naval Academy
and we'll do everything we can to support her. We're
super proud of our children. My father is a Vietnam veteran.
I served in the Iowa Air National Guard years ago,
(01:19):
and as I said, I couldn't be proud or to
have raised children who have chosen the path to serve
their country.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Having served six years in our National Guard as an
intelligence officer. When you ended your time here and with
your kids with some skin in the game, because there
are a lot of people here who have said over
the last few days, well, if President Trump's going to
get us into World War three, I hope members of
Trump's family and all of his MAGA supporters and voters
(01:45):
are on the front lines as we march into Iran
to go into war. Your kids are in the armed forces.
You know what it's like to serve in our nation's military.
What did you think about President Trump's move to support
Israel takeout Iran's nuclear facilities when there were so many
people that said He's going to get us into World
(02:06):
War three?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, Scott, I've been to Israel. I've been in the
kibbutz that was just across the Israeli border from Gaza.
There was attack where innocent men, women and children were
slaughtered by Hamad terrorists funded by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(02:29):
Iran has made it their stated objective to wipe Israel
off the map, and as our leading ally in the
Middle East, I'm glad that the President took decisive action
and said we cannot allow a regime with those stated
objectives to acquire a nuclear weapon. And in start contrast
(02:51):
to what some of the people were saying that you
cited in the lead up to your question, the opposite
has been and proven true thus far, that we have
a cease fire, that Iran and Israel have both come
to the negotiating table, and let's give the President of
the United States, who serves as our commander in chief,
the opportunity to bring peace through strength. I'm very hopeful
(03:15):
that will be the end result.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Let's not get too excited about the potential for lasting
peace in the Middle East. Past performance is no guarantee
of future results. But I would say that lasting peace
in the region seems difficult, if not impossible, to achieve, right.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I wouldn't say that it is impossible to achieve. We
have history over the years, you know, Egypt and Israel
made peace in the late nineteen seventies and for the
most part that has held. I don't have any illusions
about the Iranians wanting peace with Israel, but I do
(03:58):
believe that they don't want to see more military action
from what they have long referred to as the Great
Satan dominating their airspace.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Talking here with Chris McGowan, military veteran running for Congress,
just announced in Iowa was fighting fourth congressional district. This
action against Iran comes at a time when we've seen
protests in the streets of America related to the Palestinian authority,
which wants to be a nation state. You've got people
(04:30):
out there saying from the river to the sea, which
would be the end of Israel. You've got a candidate
for mayor of New York City who has called the
Israelis genocidal for what they've done in battling back the
Hummas terrorists that you referred to. What do you think
about what's going on in our country right now as
it relates to Israel.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
So, as I said a moment ago, Scott, I've had
the opportunity to travel in Israel. I have built a
friendship with the gentleman and by the name of Hillel Fold.
Hillel's older brother Ari was murdered by a teenage Palestinian
terrorist in Israel. So that gets a little bit close
when you start to know the people directly involved. Israel
(05:16):
lives in a very dangerous neighborhood. They have every right
to protect themselves. Our Jewish brothers and sisters have endured
a great deal in the last century. They are ever vigilant,
and I will stand with the Nation of Israel as
a member of Congress so that they can defend themselves
and defend their borders.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Talking about protests in this country and moving on to
a different topic, we've certainly seen the Trump administration start
loading up right now. There's a lot in this next
budget there for not just border security, but also new
ICE employees, detention centers, he says, with the deportations of
(05:56):
criminal illegal immigrants in our country will continue and maybe
even ramp up a bit in the years to come.
And this, of course is people are protesting across the
country anytime ICE does anything. What are your thoughts on
illegal immigration and the actions of the Trump administration.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Scott, That question actually flows from the question that we
just discussed. There's a great deal of concern right now
that after the Trump administration took the decisive action and
made the decision to bomb those three nuclear sites in Iran,
that we as Americans need to now be concerned about
the potential for Iranian sleeper cells in the United States
(06:42):
of America. That should underscore for everyone the importance of
border security. This is not just confined to the southern border.
It's all of our borders, and it's not just confined
to terrorism. Can find to the trafficking of fentanyl that's
(07:03):
killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens. It's got to
be stopped. We have human trafficking coming across our southern
border in particular, and I think Tom Holman leading ICE
has done an incredible job and been a tremendous manifestation
of President Trump's commitment to secure our borders.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
What should be done with those who are in our
country illegally, whether they've recently crossed here or whether they're
these Dream act kids who were brought here as children,
pretty much raised here and they're not criminals. They would
rather not be deported to some country they don't know
by immigration customs enforcement. But there's no real good way
(07:45):
to put them on some sort of status in this country.
Is there anything that can or should be done for
people in that classification?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Another excellent question, and I think that we have to
ask ourselves exactly what we want from immigration policy. The
Democrats and Republicans do not seem too eager to solve
an issue that has been with us forever. Quite honestly,
I know that during the Reagan administration there was a
(08:16):
very significant amnesty action. We don't know how many millions
of illegals are in our country today. Some people refer
to them as undocumented. As an economic development professional for
the last twenty years working in Iowa, Nebraka and South Dakota,
(08:36):
I can tell you that we have real challenges with labor. However,
we cannot allow anyone to exploit labor. Labor deserves a
fair wage for their work. And I'm surprised to see
that the opposition party isn't more adamant about this issue.
(08:58):
But I will tell you where this begins, and it
begins any negotiation has to begin with a secure and
impenetrable southern border. That's where we start the conversation.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Chris McGowan is a military veteran. He mentioned an economic
development leader there from his town, born and raised Sioux
City guy.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Right, Yeah, that's absolutely right. I graduated from Healing High
School in nineteen eighty five, and I'm proud to call
Sioux City my hometown.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
What about South Sioux City? Do you hate South Sioux City?
It's the Nebraska side of the area.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I'm on the Nebraska side of the border every day.
I do work in a three state metropolitan area. The
organization that I lead in economic development is focused on
helping our metropolitan statistical area, which does include South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Okay, good, But you're running for Congress in Iowa's fourth district,
which is a huge district, so you're it's going to
feel like you're traveling across three straits every single day
as you're back and forth against Iowa's fourth district. We
got a ways to go until this Republican primary is
seen to fruition. But why is it that you decided
(10:17):
to run for Congress and be a politician, which doesn't
exactly have a great ring to it in many people's minds.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Well, Scott, first and foremost, I'm fifty eight years old,
and I believe the founders of our exceptional country had
a vision that men and women would serve in their
various vocations, and after acquiring a great deal of experience,
perhaps expertise, but certainly wisdom, that they would offer themselves
(10:46):
and that experience gained through working in various capacities, that
they would come to a legislative body and they would contribute.
I am not a career politician. I've never sought elected office.
I'm doing it in the later stages of my professional
career because I believe that's the vision our founders had.
(11:08):
Do a job, raise the family, contribute to your community,
and then come and make significant contributions to the legislative process.
I believe that was their vision. It's a vision that
I have great confidence in, and I hope I content
at this point in contribute to to share with you
that I raised children with the mantra of Thomas Payne
(11:31):
during the Revolutionary War, and Thomas Paine said or wrote
rather in seventeen seventy seven, and I quote, those who
expect to reach the blessings of freedom must undergo the
fatigue of supporting it unquote. And while some people may
believe that a manifest call to service in the profession
(11:53):
of arms, and I believe that it is, but it
is also a call to service in other ways. I
have to in uniform. And now I'm going to try
and serve as a legislative member of our legislative body
in Washington, DC.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
You got a campaign website. You have been a candidate
for this office for just a matter of hours. Now
what's the website?
Speaker 2 (12:14):
You can visit us at McGowan for Iowa dot com.
We're grateful for this opportunity to visit with you, Scott.
I hope that we have a chance to visit in person,
and I would be grateful to have the support of
your listening audience.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Yeah, next time you're in Council Bluffs, that's part of
the district, stop over here in Iowa in Omaha and
say hello. Look forward to it.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I will make sure I do. I started my morning
at seven am and Council Bluff today, but I'll be
back soon, all.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Right, Chris McGowan, good talking to you, and good luck
in this.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Ry a million Scott.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Bye bye, Scott for these mornings nine to eleven our
news Radio eleven ten KFAB
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