Campaign Almanac: EMILY’s List endorses Lindsay James for Congress

National abortion rights group EMILY’s List has endorsed Dubuque Democrat Lindsay James’ bid for Congress, giving the state representative a nationally recognized boost in a five-way Democratic primary for northeast Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

EMILY's List — an influential national political organization dedicated to electing Democratic women who support abortion access — said James’ background as a Presbyterian chaplain and her record in the Iowa House make her the strongest candidate to flip the seat in 2026.

“Lindsay James is a former chaplain whose deep roots in her community and her unshakable conviction make her the fearless leader that Iowa’s 2nd District needs right now,” EMILY's List President Jessica Mackler said in a statement. Mackler cited James’ work on lowering prescription drug costs, protecting mobile home residents from price gouging and expanding access to affordable housing.

“EMILY's List is proud to support her in this race to flip Iowa’s open 2nd Congressional District,” Mackler said.

James, who has represented Dubuque in the Iowa House since 2019, said the early national support signals growing momentum in the competitive open-seat contest to succeed Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. Hinson is running for U.S. Senate in 2026 to succeed retiring Iowa GOP U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

“I’m honored to have EMILY's List support in my race to flip Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District,” James said. “As a mom, chaplain, and state representative, I’ve always fought for my community. Now I am ready to take that fight to Congress and ensure this district finally has a representative who will serve Iowa farmers, teachers, and working families — not billionaires and special interests.”

James also has been endorsed by former Democratic U.S. Reps. Abby Finkenauer and Dave Loebsack, along with local leaders across northeast Iowa.

She is one of five Democrats running in the district, alongside retired Army nurse and former nursing dean Kathy Dolter of Asbury; Cedar Rapids nonprofit cofounder Clint Twedt-Ball; Boone hotel manager Guy Morgan; and former state park manager Don Primus of Steamboat Rock.

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Who’s running for Iowa’s 2nd District?

Three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination: state Rep. Shannon Lundgren of Peosta, state Sen. Charlie McClintock of Alburnett, and former state lawmaker Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake. Dave Bushaw, a farmer, musician and former Bernie Sanders campaign organizer from West Union, is running as an independent.

The endorsement lands as national analysts signal the race may be more competitive than in past cycles. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican,” citing the opening created by Hinson’s 2026 U.S. Senate run. Cook analyst Erin Covey noted that Hinson’s personal brand, fundraising prowess and past overperformance won’t be easily replicated by any successor — giving Democrats a clearer, though still challenging, path in a district Trump carried by 10 points in 2024.

Democrats represented the area as recently as 2020, when former first-term Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer lost a closely watched race to Hinson. While Republicans maintain a registration advantage of roughly 24,000 voters over Democrats, Cook says Democrats have a better opening than in recent cycles — one that will hinge on candidate strength, fundraising and the ability to energize voters in a district stretching from Cedar Rapids and Waterloo to Dubuque, Decorah, Grinnell and Mason City.

In a crowded primary field, national endorsements like EMILY's List’s are expected to play a key role in helping Democratic contenders distinguish themselves, attract donor attention and build early momentum. National Democrats are expected to target the race as part of their broader effort to reclaim House seats in the Midwest, while Republicans work to protect their narrow House majority.

Republican women PAC endorses Lundgren for Congress

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Value In Electing Women Political Action Committee, which helps elect Republican women to Congress, has endorsed Shannon Lundgren in the Republican primary in Eastern Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

Lundgren, a state legislator from Peosta, is one of three Republicans seeking the party’s nomination in the 2nd District. The others are former state legislator Joe Mitchell, of Clear Lake; and state legislator Charlie McClintock, of Alburnett.

“As a successful small business owner, conservative champion in the Iowa State House and trusted fighter for policies that matter to Iowans and all Americans, Shannon represents the very best of our Republican Party,” VIEW PAC Executive Director Julie Conway said. “She is exactly the kind of strong, committed leader VIEW PAC is dedicated to electing.”

Five Democrats and one independent candidate also are running in the 2nd District, which is open with Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson running instead for the U.S. Senate.

Maggie’s List backs Lundgren, Attorney General Brenna Bird

Maggie’s List, a federal PAC that supports conservative women running for federal and statewide office, on Tuesday added eight more candidates to its 2026 endorsements — including Iowa state Rep. Shannon Lundgren in the race for Iowa’s open 2nd Congressional District and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.

Lundgren, a Peosta Republican and restaurant owner who has served in the Iowa House since 2017, is among four new U.S. House candidates endorsed this cycle. She is competing in a crowded field to replace outgoing Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in northeast Iowa.

“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of Maggie’s List as a candidate for U.S. Congress,” Lundgren said in the announcement, adding that the group reflects her support for fiscal conservatism, limited government and strong national security.

Maggie’s List Iowa Chairwoman Gwen Ecklund, in a statement, called Lundgren a “dedicated public servant” and “proven leader,” whose legislative experience and campaign effort make her “a great U.S. representative of the 2nd Congressional District.”

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The PAC also endorsed Bird, who is seeking re-election in 2026. Maggie’s List also backed Bird in 2022, when she successfully unseated longtime Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller for the position.

“I’m proud to receive the endorsement of Maggie’s List and join their roster of strong, conservative women in public office,” Bird said.

Ecklund praised Bird’s “strong work ethic,” “passion for justice” and advocacy on behalf of Iowans.

Democratic former state lawmaker and labor attorney Nate Willems of Mount Vernon is running against Bird.

Konfrst adds new slate of endorsers in IA-03 Democratic primary

State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst on Wednesday announced new endorsements in her bid for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District seat, adding to a list of elected officials, labor leaders and community advocates backing her campaign to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn in 2026.

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The new supporters include former Iowa Attorney General Bonnie Campbell; Des Moines City Council member Josh Mandelbaum; Iowa Central Building Trades Executive Director Sam Groark; former AFSCME Council 61 president Danny Homan; and former Planned Parenthood of the Heartland President and CEO Jill June.

Endorsers pointed to Konfrst’s legislative record and organizing ability as reasons they believe she is the strongest Democrat to flip the seat. Campbell called her “exactly the kind of tough, principled fighter we need to beat Zach Nunn,” while Groark praised her willingness to “stand up and fight back” for working Iowans. June highlighted Konfrst’s leadership on reproductive rights in a post-Roe landscape.

Konfrst, a Windsor Heights Democrat, is a former journalist and educator who flipped her Iowa House seat in 2018 and later served as House minority leader. She faces fellow state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott of West Des Moines in the June 2 Democratic primary.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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