J.D. Scholten
J.D. Scholten
Iowa Democratic Senate nominee?
$106.1K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age46 years old (Mar 4, 1980)
GenderMale
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LocationIowa
BackgroundPolitician
EducationMorningside University (attended)
Notable personal detailsJames Dennis “J.D.” Scholten is an American politician and Democratic candidate who has served in the Iowa House of Representatives (District 1) since January 2023. He was the Democratic nominee for U.S. House in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in 2018 and 2020. Scholten has also played professional baseball as a pitcher, including with the Sioux City Explorers.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports federal policy changes to reduce consolidation and increase competition in agriculture, overhaul federal farm subsidy distribution, expand funding for conservation and local food programs, and increase oversight of large corporations; favors targeted federal support rather than broad tax cuts.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable care through a public option and protecting/strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and views universal coverage/Medicare-for-All as a long-term goal while pursuing stepwise reforms to lower costs and include dental and mental health. Opposes Medicaid privatization and advocates protecting marketplace subsidies and tax credits that make coverage affordable for Iowans.
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Immigration & Border
Supports secure borders while advocating improved visa programs for agricultural and guest workers and reforms to the naturalization process; frames immigration as needing bipartisan, comprehensive reform that balances enforcement with legal pathways and workforce needs.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports women’s control over their reproductive health and opposes federal government intrusion into abortion decisions, arguing the choice should be between a woman and her doctor. He has said he would evaluate specific restrictions case-by-case and endorsed medical exceptions for late-term procedures. He also expressed concern about the impact of removing abortion rights on low-income and rural people.
Climate & Energy
Supports growth of clean energy and renewable fuels (particularly ethanol), backs conservation and programs to improve soil and water quality, and favors policies to reduce carbon pollution such as a low-carbon fuel standard while supporting transitional uses of agricultural biofuels.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes proposals to expand guns on K–12 and college campuses and has spoken publicly against such measures. He voted against legislation authorizing school employees to be issued permits to carry weapons. He has been endorsed by gun-safety advocacy groups for running on a gun-safety platform.
News
J.D. Scholten is in the news as Iowa becomes a more competitive battleground heading into the 2026 midterms, with Democrats building a larger campaign operation in the state. Recent coverage says Iowa is drawing attention in several contested races, including House contests, as both parties test messages on issues like inflation, tariffs, abortion, and President Trump’s agenda. The reporting does not give many specific new details about Scholten himself, but places him in the middle of a broader push by Democrats to compete more aggressively in Iowa.
Iowa's red state status in question with competitive midterms : NPR
Trump Is in Freefall-and Democrats Still Might Blow It
$50 million push hopes to make child care top issue in 2026 midterms
Special elections pattern suggests GOP could face rout in midterms
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements