Iowa Republican Governor nominee?
$2.2M
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age50 years old (Dec 10, 1975)
GenderFemale
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LocationIowa
BackgroundPolitician
EducationIndian Hills Community College (AA)
Notable personal detailsAmy Beth Sinclair (née Jellison) is a Republican Iowa state senator representing Senate District 12 (serving since 2013) and has served as President of the Iowa Senate since January 2023. She previously served two terms on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors. Sinclair briefly served as acting lieutenant governor of Iowa from September 3, 2024, to December 16, 2024. She attended Indian Hills Community College and earned an associate degree.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports major state tax reductions including acceleration of income tax cuts, a flat low-rate income tax and plans to ultimately eliminate the income tax; supports constitutional limits on future tax increases and other tax relief for families and businesses.
Healthcare
Supports market-oriented, public–private approaches to health care and policies aimed at recruiting and retaining rural providers; backs tort reform and targeted funding increases for long-term care and workforce programs rather than large government expansions such as single-payer. Emphasizes keeping rural hospitals and emergency access points open and prefers regulatory and funding solutions to address workforce and access issues.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger immigration enforcement and tighter state-level restrictions on unauthorized immigration, citing past votes and praise for laws banning sanctuary cities and criminalizing illegal presence. Emphasizes protecting Iowans from crimes by undocumented immigrants and framing immigration as a law-and-order issue. No evidence found of support for expanded legal pathways or asylum-access protections in the cited sources.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports bans on nearly all abortions by prohibiting abortion after embryonic cardiac activity (around six weeks) with limited exceptions for rape, incest under reporting time limits, and life of the pregnant person. As Iowa Senate President, she led passage of legislation that would restrict abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected and described the embryonic pulse as the beginning of life. Her actions align with advocacy for strong legal protections for unborn children and substantial limits on abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Opposes expanded state facilitation of carbon-capture pipeline regulation and expresses concern about regulatory overreach and property-rights liability. Emphasizes reducing regulatory interference and prioritizing business-friendly, market-driven approaches to energy and infrastructure. Positions are reflected in votes and public statements about pipeline and energy infrastructure legislation.
News
Amy Sinclair is in the news as one of the Iowa GOP gubernatorial candidates facing scrutiny over water quality, rising cancer concerns, and agricultural chemicals ahead of the June 2 primary. The race has been shaped by voter concern over nitrate levels in drinking water, with candidates discussing more research, conservation, and funding for water treatment. The winner of the GOP primary will go on to face Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand in the general election.
MAHA movement fuels cancer, water debate in Iowa governor contest
Democrats Look for a Foothold in Iowa as Vance Visits to Boost Republicans
Reynolds brings MAHA to Iowa
Scott County GOP hold caucuses with gubernatorial straw poll
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising