Iowa 2nd District
Ashley Hinson (R) gave up the seat to run for U. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Lindsay James
Democrat · Iowa state representative, ordained Presbyterian pastor
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for James, and what James has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Raised $3,917,994 since January 2025: 87% from people, 12% from PACs and other committees, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Joe Mitchell
Republican · property developer, former Iowa state representative
B+Liberty Score B+88 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Mitchell has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Mitchell.
Raised $2,916,069 since January 2025: 74% from people, 20% from PACs and other committees, 3% the candidate’s own money. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Iowa: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Lindsay James, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for James, so the grade above comes from this list: what James has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Asked about the Iran war, she said it must end immediately and that Congress needs to reassert its authority.
“This war must end immediately, and Congress needs to reassert its authority.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Calling for the war to end and for Congress to reassert its authority, with no bill or vote named, does not settle the Iran regime measure.
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Her campaign site calls for ending the tariffs.
“End the devastating tariffs that have destroyed the decades of work done to secure foreign markets.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Broad tariffs are against liberty by this test, so ending them is the with side.
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She says Congress should pass permitting reform to cut red tape on housing and energy projects.
“We should pass permitting reform to cut red tape on housing and energy projects.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting red tape on building is less regulation, the with side of this measure.
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Her campaign site says a larger child tax credit should be paid for by making the very wealthy and large corporations pay more.
“We need to finance these investments by ensuring the ultra wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising taxes on high earners and corporations is higher taxes, the against side of this measure.
-
Her campaign site proposes capping child care costs at a share of family income.
“We should cap costs based on the percentage of family income which will lower costs for families”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A government cap on what child care may cost is a price control, the against side of this measure.
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At the Iowa PBS debate she said the tariffs need to be rolled back.
“we absolutely need to roll back the tariffs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Broad tariffs are against liberty by this test, so rolling them back is the with side.
-
Her campaign site calls for a path to citizenship for people in the country who work and pay taxes, alongside border security spending.
“create a path to citizenship for hard working, taxpaying people in this country”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for people here illegally is against liberty by this test, even though she also backs border security.
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At the Iowa PBS debate she said the country needs security at the border and comprehensive immigration reform.
“we need to make sure that we have security at the border, secure our border, and work on a comprehensive immigration reform.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is with liberty on borders.
Joe Mitchell, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Mitchell, so the grade above comes from this list: what Mitchell has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Asked about the Iran war, he agreed Iran must not get a nuclear weapon but said the conflict has costs for Iowa families.
“I agree with the administration that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, but this conflict comes with real costs for Iowa families who were already stretched thin after four years of Bidenflation.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He backs the aim and questions the cost in one sentence, so the words do not settle which side he is on.
-
As an Iowa state representative in 2022 he sponsored a House resolution supporting Ukrainian sovereignty.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Sponsoring a resolution for Ukraine's sovereignty against Russia's invasion is with liberty on free nations.
-
His campaign site says cutting regulation of homebuilding would bring down home prices.
“De-regulating the homebuilding industry will allow more builders to build more homes at a much lower cost.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is the with side of this measure.
-
He says Congress should repeal Obamacare and replace it with other reforms.
“Congress should repeal Obamacare and replace it with patient-centered reforms that lower premiums and expand choice while protecting people with preexisting conditions.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Repealing a government health program for private-market reforms is the with side of this measure.
-
Asked about the tariffs, he called them a short-term negotiating tool and expects a long-term gain from them.
“President Trump is using tariffs as a short-term negotiating tool to secure better deals and implement his foreign policy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
He defends the president's broad tariffs, which are against liberty by this test.
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His campaign site says girls' sports should be free of biological males.
“Women and girls deserve a level playing field in sports, free from biological males, with policies that protect fairness, safety, and equal opportunity so female athletes can succeed on their merits.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site opposes sex-change surgeries for minors and federal money for them.
“I oppose sex-change surgeries for minors, will fight to ban the use of federal tax dollars for these procedures”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Ending federal funding of gender-transition procedures is against gender ideology in the federal government, the with side.
-
Asked about immigration, he said he opposes amnesty of any kind and wants criminals removed.
“That's why I oppose amnesty of any kind and believe we need to remove criminals from our country.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing amnesty and backing removal of those who break the law is enforcing the law and deporting, the with side.
-
His campaign site lists securing the border and deporting criminal illegal immigrants.
“By securing our borders, deporting criminal illegal immigrants, and reforming our immigration laws, we can ensure that Americans”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and deporting those who break the law is the with side of this measure.
Also on the ballot
Dave Bushaw (Independent), Rick Stewart (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Iowa 2nd District
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