Public Policy Polling
40%30%20%10%0%
36%
Democrat
Lindsay James
IA-02 Democratic nominee?
$2.1K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationIowa
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BackgroundIowa State Representative
EducationSanta Clara University — B.A., Communications
Notable personal detailsLindsay James is a Democratic member of the Iowa House of Representatives, representing House District 71 (Dubuque area) since 2019. She is an ordained Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) pastor and has worked as a college chaplain and adjunct faculty member in higher education. James earned a B.A. in communications from Santa Clara University and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is a candidate for U.S. House in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
legis.iowa.govfec.goven.wikipedia.orgiowapublicradio.orgthegazette.comkcci.comnorthtamatelegraph.comaol.comgovbase.comaspace.lib.uiowa.eduapnews.comkcrg.comcookpolitical.comdocquery.fec.govsos.iowa.govblackhawkcountyelections.iowa.govlindsayforiowa.comiowatorch.comdubuquechamber.comradioiowa.comiowacapitaldispatch.comdailyiowan.comiowastartingline.comgiffords.orgbearingarms.comcareers.arena.runaxios.comcdn.ballotpedia.orglatimes.comseattletimes.comwashingtonpost.comjustfacts.votesmart.orghinson.house.govballotready.orgagriculture.house.govvotesmart.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Lindsay James supports policies that provide tax relief and credits targeted to working families and small/local businesses and opposes large, regressive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy. Her campaign prioritizes lowering costs for working Iowans and expanding supports such as child and dependent tax credits and local tax-credit tools for community development. She publicly criticized a proposed Iowa flat-tax plan as disproportionately benefiting the ultra-rich.
Healthcare
Supports affordable, expanded access to healthcare and reproductive health services; has advocated removing prescription requirements for contraceptives and lists affordable healthcare as a campaign priority.
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Immigration & Border
Supports handling immigration at the federal level and opposes state laws that expand local enforcement of federal immigration policy; expresses concern that broadly written state smuggling/enforcement bills could criminalize religious or community members who provide shelter or aid. Advocates for meaningful immigration reform while resisting state-level criminalization or expanded local enforcement powers.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports reproductive rights and a person’s right to choose, advocating protection of abortion access. Endorsed by pro-choice organization EMILY’s List and has spoken about harms from Iowa’s near-total abortion ban.
Climate & Energy
The candidate emphasizes protecting clean water and a healthy environment and standing with Iowa farmers but does not present detailed federal climate or energy policy proposals on her campaign site or public biography. Public materials available emphasize environmental protection in broad terms rather than specific climate targets, clean-energy investment, or fossil-fuel phase-out plans.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-safety measures including universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders (red flag laws), and raising the minimum age to purchase certain assault-style weapons to 21; opposed legislation that would lower Iowa’s handgun purchase age to 18 and voted against that bill.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 9, 2026
Lindsay James is the Democratic nominee in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District and is now facing Republican former state Rep. Joe Mitchell in the 2026 House race. She has also come under criticism over a 2020 campaign website section in which she apologized for being white and said she benefited from privilege. Earlier coverage showed her trailing Mitchell in early fundraising, while the race remains open because Ashley Hinson is running for the U.S. Senate.
legis.iowa.gov+35
Articles
BNBreitbart News Network5 days ago
Iowa Dem Candidate Apologized for Being White, Cisgender in 2020 Campaign
Negative
ATAmes Tribune18 days ago
Iowa Democrats build cash edge as US House races shift to November
Neutral
DMDes Moines Register1 month ago
Iowa 2nd Congressional District candidates discuss tariffs, high costs
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$872.6K
$654.5K
$436.3K
$218.2K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$872.6K
$239.2K
$633.4K
$37.3K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements