Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
22%
61%
Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
$49.9K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age63 years old (Oct 19, 1962)
GenderMale
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LocationIowa
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst (B.A., Economics)
Notable personal detailsJim Carlin is an American attorney, U.S. Army veteran, and Republican politician from Sioux City, Iowa. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2017 and later represented Iowa State Senate District 3 from 2017 to 2023. Carlin ran for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Iowa in 2022 and is a candidate in the 2026 Iowa U.S. Senate race.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govlegis.iowa.goven.wikipedia.orgcarlinforussenate.comtimesrepublican.comkcrg.comiowapublicradio.orgradioiowa.comjimmagdefrau.comcarrollcountyiowagop.orgkeyc.comsenatemajority.comapnews.comstorycountyiowa.govbleedingheartland.comsos.iowa.govcaffeinatedthoughts.comturn0search0.invalidthegazette.comiowacapitaldispatch.comiowastandard.comontheissues.orgtheiowastandard.cominsurancenewsnet.comammoland.comfoxnews.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgsenate.govgrassley.senate.govdailypress.senate.govcongress.govintelligence.senate.govdocquery.fec.govjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.govcommons.wikimedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports major tax reductions and limiting tax increases, including lowering or eliminating corporate and income taxes, prioritizing balanced budgets and sound money (including consideration of a gold standard).
Healthcare
Supports limiting federal involvement in health care and emphasizes individual choice and medical freedom (including opposition to vaccine mandates). Has sponsored state-level bills to protect physicians who prescribe contested COVID-19 treatments and has called for reducing government role in healthcare costs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes securing the U.S. border and stronger border enforcement, supports enforcing visa laws, and links stricter border security to combating drug trafficking. He indicates that border security should precede discussions of eligibility for citizenship or guest-worker programs. The campaign calls for tougher laws and increased enforcement to address illegal migration and fentanyl/drug flows.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports defining life at conception and strongly restricts abortion access, including backing heartbeat (approximately six-week) and 20-week abortion bans and opposing taxpayer-funded abortion. Has led and promoted pro-life legislation while serving in the Iowa Senate and in his campaign materials.
Climate & Energy
The candidate supports expanding domestic energy production and lower energy costs while also saying farmers should have opportunities to profit from biofuels, wind, solar, and carbon credits. Public materials and interviews emphasize market-based approaches and limited government intervention rather than endorsement of aggressive emissions targets or Green New Deal–style policies.
Public Safety & Guns
Jim Carlin strongly supports Second Amendment rights, including Iowa’s constitutional-carry approach and national concealed-carry reciprocity. He opposes red-flag-style laws and federal incentives that he says undermine due process and gun owners’ rights. His campaign materials commit to standing against efforts to weaken gun ownership protections.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 3, 2026
Jim Carlin was defeated by Rep. Ashley Hinson in the Iowa Republican Senate primary, with Hinson winning the nomination for the U.S. Senate race. Carlin had been one of the two GOP candidates in the contest and was running for the seat being vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst. Recent coverage mostly centered on the primary matchup, with Hinson heavily favored and backed by major Republican support.
fec.gov+35
Articles
BNBreitbart News Network22 hours ago
Rep. Ashley Hinson Wins Iowa Republican Senate Primary
Negative
SCSioux City Journal19 days ago
Woodbury County Auditor & Recorder - Ad from 2026-05-16
Neutral
DMDes Moines Register2 months ago
GOP group to spend $29 million to support Ashley Hinson's Senate bid
Negative
DMDes Moines Register22 days ago
Ashley Hinson launches first TV ad in 2026 US Senate race
Negative
Polls
Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$458.1K
$343.6K
$229.0K
$114.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$458.1K
$12.0K
$446.0K
$26.2K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements