JUNE 30, 2026

Iowa Democratic congressional candidate Lindsay James missed more than half of state House votes in 2026

Lindsay James, an Iowa state representative and Democratic candidate for Congress in Iowa's second congressional district, missed 177 of 342 votes in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2026, a rate of 51.7%, according to legislative records. James is running for the seat currently held by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, who announced she would not seek reelection in order to pursue a Senate seat. James won a Democratic primary earlier this month.

Iowa state Rep. Lindsay James, who launched a congressional campaign for Iowa's second district, missed 177 of 342 votes in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2026 — a 51.7% absence rate — according to records from the legislature.

The absences drew attention in part because of statements James made at the outset of her campaign. In an interview, James said she would pursue "full-time campaigning" while also "fulfilling my important work in the Iowa legislature," adding: "You know me, I have a pretty strong work ethic at the capitol, early, very late, providing for my constituents. That will never stop. That's just who I am and how I'm wired."

Fox News, the sole outlet to cover the story, reported specific instances in which James missed votes while holding campaign events. According to Fox, James missed a vote on limiting student screen time on April 20 while holding a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, roughly two hours from Des Moines. On April 30, she missed a vote on making animal torture a felony while hosting a meet-and-greet at a brewery in Decorah, Iowa. She also missed a vote on a property tax reduction bill to attend a candidate event in Dubuque, a three-hour drive from the capitol.