Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson endorse Joe Mitchell for Congress as Iowa GOP primary field narrows

President Donald Trump on Tuesday endorsed former state lawmaker and Trump administration appointee Joe Mitchell in the race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, a move that effectively clears the Republican primary field and cements Mitchell’s status as the party’s front-runner.

Trump issued the endorsement on Truth Social shortly after a rally in Clive, where he kicked off his support for Republican candidates in this fall’s midterm elections. The backing came a day after Republican state Rep. Shannon Lundgren, a Trump supporter, announced she was suspending her congressional bid and would instead seek re-election to the Iowa House.

“It is my Great Honor to endorse MAGA Patriot, Joe Mitchell,” Trump wrote, praising Mitchell’s service as a former appointee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and noting his tenure as one of the youngest state legislators in Iowa history. Trump said Mitchell has his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and would “NEVER LET YOU DOWN.”

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Lundgren, a fifth-term lawmaker from Peosta, said Monday that after discussions with her family she decided to step away from the congressional race and focus on retaining her House District 65 seat. She launched her campaign in September as an “America First” conservative aligned with Trump but said ongoing challenges facing Iowa families convinced her that her experience is most needed in Des Moines.

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Her exit largely cleared the way for Mitchell, of Clear Lake, who entered the race after Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson launched a campaign for U.S. Senate. Mitchell still technically faces a primary challenge from Republican state Sen. Charlie McClintock of Alburnett, but Trump’s endorsement is expected to all but lock up the nomination.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson also endorsed Mitchell on Tuesday, posting in a statement that Mitchell can help U.S. House Republicans “continue to deliver safe streets, secure border, lower costs, a strong economy, and peace through strength.”

Mitchell has posted strong fundraising numbers, reporting more than $700,000 raised by the end of 2025 and nearly $600,000 cash on hand. He also has secured endorsements from national GOP leaders, including U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, as well as Turning Point Action, the political arm of the conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk.

With the Republican field effectively settled, Democrats continue to jockey for their party’s nomination in the open district. The Democratic field includes state Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque, 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.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the political arm of House Democrats, cast Mitchell as a Des Moines insider who lack roots in the district. The DCCC highlighted Mitchell’s past work for a lobbying firm, his role founding a lobby group for real estate developers, and reporting that he changed his voter registration shortly before launching his congressional campaign.

Mitchell grew up in southeast Iowa and represented the Mount Pleasant area in the Iowa Legislature before moving to Des Moines and changed his voter registration to a Clear Lake residence shortly before launching his congressional campaign.

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