How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you, such as prices and tariffs, health care, immigration or the war with Iran.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget, including Medicaid and farm programs. The Senate also confirms federal judges and approves treaties. Statewide Amendment 1 would make it harder for the Legislature to raise income taxes.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words, endorsements and who funds each campaign.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. The 2nd District covers northeast Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Waterloo, where meatpacking, manufacturing and construction employers rely on immigrant workers, according to Iowa Public Radio’s report on immigration in the race. The district uses the map Iowa adopted in 2021, according to the Iowa Legislature’s district map law. ​

The seat is open because Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) is running for the U.S. Senate. Hinson won the seat in 2024 with 57.1% of the vote. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race a Toss-up, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Lean Democratic, according to Ballotpedia’s race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Democrat State Rep. Lindsay James (D-Dubuque), 45, is a Presbyterian pastor who has served in the Iowa House since 2019, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch’s House voter guide. James was born in Portland, Oregon, earned a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and directed the Loras College Peace Institute, according to James’ Ballotpedia profile. James has lived in Dubuque for 13 years. James won the Tuesday, June 2 Democratic primary with 57.8% of the vote to 24.0% for Clint Twedt-Ball.

Republican Joe Mitchell, 29, of Clear Lake, is a real estate developer who served in the Iowa House from 2019 to 2023, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch. Mitchell was later the Great Plains regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mitchell also founded Run GenZ, a conservative leadership nonprofit. Mitchell won the June 2 Republican primary with 61.3% of the vote to 38.3% for Charlie McClintock, according to Mitchell’s Ballotpedia profile).

Independent Dave Bushaw, 32, is a squash farmer in Hawkeye and a labor musician who organized for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch. Libertarian Rick Stewart, 75, founded Frontier Cooperative Herbs and has run as a Libertarian for governor, U.S. Senate and state agriculture secretary.

Where They Stand

Costs, taxes and tariffs. James says “Iowans are making impossible financial choices right now due to the policies coming from our leaders in DC.” James would fight price gouging and lower housing, gas, child care and grocery costs. Mitchell supports the administration’s tariffs and calls the 2025 tax law “the largest permanent tax cut in American history.” Mitchell says that cut is “all in jeopardy if the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives,” according to CBS2 Iowa’s Mitchell interview. Stewart would replace the federal income tax with a land tax and says “Cut 20% off of everything period.”

Health care. James would reverse the 2025 law’s Medicaid cuts and let Medicare negotiate the prices of all drugs. James also supports a public option and lowering the Medicare age to 55, according to CBS2 Iowa’s James interview. Bushaw supports Medicare for All. Stewart would replace Social Security and Medicare with a universal basic income for adults.

Immigration and jobs. Mitchell wants to ban H-1B visas and says “Iowan jobs should be for Iowans.” Mitchell also backs the proposed Mesabi Metallics steel plant in southeast Iowa. James says the Biden administration “didn’t have strong enough policies when it came to securing the border” and wants both parties to “create a meaningful pathway to citizenship.” Bushaw says “Working-class solidarity isn’t defined by a border” and that many visa workers “are being exploited.”

The war with Iran. Mitchell says “We have to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon.” Mitchell would back a bipartisan effort to limit executive war powers but not a resolution demanding an immediate end to the war, according to Iowa Public Radio’s first debate report. James would end the war and redirect that spending to health care. Bushaw says “dialogue can’t happen when we’re dropping bombs and they’re shooting bombs back.”

Data centers. Mitchell and James both say data center developers should not receive tax incentives. Mitchell wants to ensure “local communities aren’t forced to have data centers.” Bushaw calls for a nationwide moratorium on data centers for artificial intelligence, according to CBS2 Iowa’s Bushaw interview. Stewart says “The Constitution doesn’t authorize Congress to have anything at all to do with factories.”

Ethics and term limits. James would ban members of Congress from trading stocks and from becoming lobbyists, and says James takes no corporate PAC money. James and Mitchell both support 12-year congressional term limits. James also supports age limits, which Mitchell does not.

In Their Own Words

Lindsay James, to CBS2 Iowa:

“We’ve been here 13 years now, so we have built our lives here and raised our kids here and love our life here.”

Joe Mitchell, at the Oct. 1 debate:

“I think we should always put Iowans and Americans first over anybody from outside the country.”

Dave Bushaw, to CBS2 Iowa:

“We need working class representation in Congress.”

Rick Stewart, in CBS2 Iowa’s Stewart interview:

“I’m just wanting to give voters a chance to vote for somebody other than the Democrat or Republican.”

Questionnaires And Debates

James and Mitchell debated on Thursday, Oct. 1, in a debate recorded by Iowa’s News Now in Cedar Rapids. The two met again on Iowa PBS on Thursday, Oct. 8. Bushaw and Stewart were excluded from both debates under the same qualifying criteria, which Bushaw called “overly restrictive,” according to Iowa Public Radio. Bushaw completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey, and James, Mitchell and Stewart did not.

At the first debate, Mitchell criticized James for missing more than half of the 2026 legislative session’s votes and for being from Portland, Oregon. James called Mitchell a former lobbyist who was “Enriching himself financially by rigging the system.” After CBS2 Iowa recorded its interview with Mitchell, the Daily Mail published a video of Mitchell at 19 making lewd comments about Black women. Mitchell responded, “I was 19, in college, and I have grown up.”

Endorsements

Before the primary, President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed Mitchell, with Trump calling Mitchell a “MAGA Patriot,” according to The Gazette. AllCiv’s endorsement data lists 15 endorsements for Mitchell.

Before the primary, the American Federation of Government Employees endorsed James, according to the union’s announcement. After the primary, in July, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added James to its Red to Blue program for top challengers, according to Iowa Public Radio. EMILYs List also backs James. AllCiv’s endorsement data lists the Forward Party among Bushaw’s backers.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • James reported raising $3,917,994 and spending $3,652,041, with $265,953 on hand and no debt.
  • Mitchell reported raising $2,916,069 and spending $2,370,535, with $545,534 on hand. AllCiv also lists $50,000 in campaign debt.
  • Bushaw reported raising $38,292 and spending $26,910, with $11,318 on hand.
  • Stewart has not reported any fundraising.

AllCiv’s Iowa 2nd District race page shows $2.3 million in outside spending in the race. About $2.1 million of it opposed Mitchell, according to Ballotpedia’s FEC data. Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings, while smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total.

The Incumbent’s Record

No incumbent is on the House ballot. Hinson is running for the U.S. Senate, and Hinson’s House record appears in the Senate section of this guide.

Challengers’ Records

James has represented Dubuque in the Iowa House since 2019. James missed 177 of 342 votes in the 2026 legislative session, according to a Fox News count cited by Iowa Public Radio. Mitchell represented District 84 in the Iowa House from 2019 to 2023. Bushaw and Stewart have not held public office.

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges, and approves treaties. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race a Toss-up, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Lean Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s Senate race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Democrat Josh Turek is a state representative (D-Council Bluffs) first elected in 2022. Turek is a four-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball with two gold medals and directs the Ryan Martin Foundation, according to Turek’s legislative biography. Turek won the June 2 Democratic primary with 62.6% of the vote to 37.3% for Zach Wahls.

Republican Ashley Hinson, of Marion, has served in Congress since 2021. Hinson earlier served in the Iowa House and worked as a television journalist, according to Hinson’s Gazette questionnaire. Hinson won the June 2 Republican primary with 74.0% of the vote to 25.7% for Jim Carlin.

Libertarian Thomas Laehn, 44, of Jefferson, is the Greene County attorney and a former political science professor. Laehn holds a doctorate from Louisiana State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa, according to Laehn’s Gazette questionnaire. Laehn was first elected county attorney in 2018.

Where They Stand

Iran. Turek pledges to “fight to end this war in the U.S. Senate, day one” and wants a return to diplomacy, according to Iowa Public Radio’s Senate debate coverage. Hinson opposed a resolution to limit the president’s war powers but has called for the war to end. Laehn calls the war “immoral, unconstitutional, and contrary to our national interests” and would cut off funding for wars Congress has not authorized.

Immigration. Hinson opposed the 2024 Senate border bill, saying it “would have let uncapped numbers come across our southern border,” and calls Turek too liberal on the border. Turek broke with Democrats in 2024 to back a state bill letting police arrest people who reentered the country illegally. Turek also backs earned citizenship for people who came to the country legally.

Cost of living. Hinson backs these measures:

  • No tax on tips or overtime.
  • Permanently lower taxes on Social Security.
  • Reform of pharmacy benefit managers.
  • Year-round E15 fuel.
  • Child care cost relief.

Hinson says “We cannot tax our way out of Washington’s spending problem.” Laehn calls inflation “the most pressing issue facing Iowa families” and supports a balanced budget amendment.

Data centers and water. Hinson says communities should decide on data centers and that data centers should supply their own power and water. Hinson also backs voluntary, locally led conservation to improve water quality. Laehn says “Congress has no jurisdiction to regulate data centers.”

Abortion and education. Hinson calls Hinson “pro-life and pro-family,” with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Hinson supports access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and over-the-counter birth control. Laehn is anti-abortion but says Congress lacks authority to pass personhood laws. Laehn would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.

Ethics. Hinson accused Turek of taking a legislative per diem while missing work, and Turek accused Hinson of growing Hinson’s wealth in Congress. Hinson says the family sold its personal stocks in 2021 and that its added wealth came from the sale of a family business.

In Their Own Words

Ashley Hinson, at the Iowa PBS debate, Wednesday, Oct. 7:

“I’ll be President Trump’s ally when it is important for Iowa, but I will push back on him.”

Josh Turek, at the same debate:

“We need to have a pathway to earned citizenship for those that have come here legally.”

Thomas Laehn, in The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire, on campaign finance:

“Introduce major campaign finance reform legislation overturning Citizens United.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Turek and Hinson debated on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Press on Oct. 7, moderated by Kay Henderson, Stephen Gruber-Miller and Erin Murphy. The two met again on WHO-13 on Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to the Des Moines Register. Laehn was not included in either debate. Hinson and Laehn answered The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire.

Endorsements

Before the primary, Trump endorsed Hinson. Also before the primary, Gov. Kim Reynolds endorsed Hinson in January, according to the Gazette’s report on the Reynolds endorsement, which notes Senate Majority Leader John Thune also backs Hinson. After the primary, former President Barack Obama endorsed Turek on Thursday, July 30, in a video of the two playing basketball, saying “Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa,” according to Fox News.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from FEC reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Turek reported raising $24,290,521 and spending $21,217,670, with $3,072,851 on hand.
  • Hinson reported raising $14,147,973 and spending $13,903,059, with $2,172,989 on hand.
  • Laehn reported raising $83,667 and spending $74,632, with $9,035 on hand.

AllCiv’s Iowa U.S. Senate race page shows $34.8 million in outside spending in the race.

The Incumbent’s Record

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), the incumbent, is not on the ballot. Ernst announced on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, that Ernst would not seek a third term.

Challengers’ Records

Hinson serves on the House Appropriations and Ethics committees and the House select committee on China. This Congress, Hinson has voted in 635 of 645 roll call votes and voted against most Republicans 8 times out of 597, according to AllCiv’s vote data. Hinson has cosponsored 238 bills, and the 33 bills Hinson sponsored drew 221 cosponsors.

A VoteVets ad says Hinson “voted to cut coverage for 100,000 Iowans” by supporting the 2025 tax and spending law. KCRG’s fact-check found that 100,000 is the top of KFF’s estimate of 60,000 to 100,000 Iowans. The ad also says 20 rural Iowa hospitals were pushed to the brink. KCRG found that claim relied on data from before the law, and a July 2026 update listed eight Iowa rural hospitals at risk, citing low private insurance payments.

Turek is in a second term in the Iowa House and has not served in Congress. Laehn taught political science at McNeese State University for four years before law school and has not served in a legislature.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

All three of these groups grade Hinson’s House votes:

The Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index ranks House members by how often they work across party lines. Each group picks different measures, so their ratings measure different things.

Also On Your Ballot

Amendment 1: Two-Thirds Vote for Income Tax Increases. A Yes vote would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers, 67 of 100 House members and 34 of 50 senators, for either of these:

  • Raising individual or corporate income tax rates.
  • Creating a new state income tax.

A No vote keeps the simple-majority rule. Local option taxes are not covered, and lawsuits over a bill’s passage would have to be filed within a year, according to Iowa Public Radio’s Amendment 1 explainer. The Legislature approved the amendment in 2024 and again in 2026, when the House passed SJR 11 57 to 21 on Sunday, May 3, according to the House floor vote record.

Iowans for Tax Relief President Chris Hagenow says the amendment would protect taxpayers as political control shifts and calls warnings of cuts “scare tactics.” Common Good Iowa Executive Director Anne Discher says it could push lawmakers toward sales taxes, which weigh more on lower-income Iowans, and warns, “When we run out of the surplus dollars, hard decisions are going to be made.” Your county auditor lists every city, school and county measure on your ballot.

Before You Go

Today

* Election Day is today, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* Register at the polls: You can still register at your precinct today by showing proof of identity and residence.
* Mail ballots must reach your county auditor by 8 p.m. today, when polls close, according to the Secretary of State’s general election notice. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at your polling place. You may surrender an absentee ballot there and vote in person instead, according to Election Protection’s Iowa guide.
* ID: Bring any of these:
Starting July 1, another voter can no longer vouch for your identity. A voter without ID may cast a provisional ballot and bring documents to the auditor by noon the Monday after the election.
* An Iowa driver license or nondriver ID.
* A U.S. passport.
* A military or veteran ID.
* A tribal ID.
* An Iowa Voter ID card.
* Questions: Call the Iowa Secretary of State at 1-888-SOS-VOTE, or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Mailed absentee requests were due at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.
  • In-person early voting ran at county auditor offices from Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Monday, Nov. 2.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Ballot Measures

Endorsements

Scorecards

Voting Information

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