REAL DUBUQUE NEWS (RDN)
James, Mitchell Divided on Tariffs, Iran in Toss-Up Race for Iowa's 2nd District
LOCAL NEWS WIRE • October 24, 2026
State Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque and former state Rep. Joe Mitchell are battling for the open congressional seat, with the Cook Political Report rating the race a toss-up.
KEY FACTS & RECORD HIGHLIGHTS
- Candidates: Iowa Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, and Republican former Iowa state Rep. Joe Mitchell, for Iowa's 2nd congressional district.
- The seat is open because U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, is running for U.S. Senate.
- The Cook Political Report rates Iowa's 2nd congressional district a toss-up.
- Mitchell, 29, said he would seek to reduce regulations on American energy and increase domestic supply; he touts previous experience as a housing developer and state representative.
- James said rising gas prices are due to the U.S. military conflict in Iran and the Trump administration's tariff policies, and affordability is a key concern.
- James said she would fight tariffs and roll back Affordable Care Act cuts and Medicaid cuts that resulted in a billion dollars of economic loss for rural health care systems.
- James criticized the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' work requirements on Medicaid recipients and called the tariff policies chaotic and impulsive, saying they caused exponentially high input costs.
- Mitchell praised tariff policies for balancing trade deficits, saying other countries have imposed tariffs on the United States without reciprocation.
- Both candidates called for an end to the U.S. military conflict in Iran, which has raised gas prices over the past seven months.
- Mitchell urged a conversation between U.S. and Iranian negotiators rather than a War Powers Resolution; James said she would vote to support advancing a War Powers Resolution.
- Fundraising per the FEC: James more than $3.9 million; Mitchell more than $2.9 million. Mitchell loaned his campaign $100,000 in September 2025.
- Early voting in Iowa is available Oct. 14 to Nov. 1; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Iowa Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, and Republican former Iowa state Rep. Joe Mitchell are battling to win Iowa's 2nd congressional district, a seat left open with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson running for U.S. Senate. The Cook Political Report rates the district a toss-up. The candidates split sharply on tariffs, health care and the U.S. military conflict in Iran, with gas prices a central issue in the race. James said rising gas prices stem from the conflict in Iran and the Trump administration's tariff policies, and she vowed to fight tariffs and roll back Affordable Care Act and Medicaid cuts she said cost rural health systems a billion dollars. Mitchell said he would cut regulations on American energy and increase domestic supply, and he praised tariffs for balancing trade deficits. Both candidates called for an end to the conflict in Iran. James said she would vote to advance a War Powers Resolution if one came out of the U.S. House, while Mitchell urged a conversation between negotiators rather than a War Powers Resolution. James holds a fundraising edge, with more than $3.9 million in campaign contributions to Mitchell's more than $2.9 million, according to the Federal Election Commission. Early voting in Iowa runs Oct. 14 to Nov. 1, and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Official Attribution: Official Public Record • Official Public Record