Iowa 2nd Congressional District candidates discuss tariffs, high costs

Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines RegisterWed, May 6, 2026 at 10:47 AM UTC

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Two Republicans and three Democrats are running to be their party's nominee for northeast Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.

The 2nd District covers 22 counties in northeast Iowa and includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque and Mason City.

The seat is open as incumbent U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson runs for the U.S. Senate.

State Sen. Charlie McClintock and former state Rep. Joe Mitchell are competing for the Republican nomination. Former Kirkwood Community College dean of nursing Kathy Dolter, state Rep. Lindsay James and former nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Ball are running for the Democratic nomination.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Iowa's primary election is June 2.

Click below to learn more about the candidates and where they stand on key issues:

| Bios | Top issue | Cost of living | Immigration | Health care access | Tariffs |

Who is Charlie McClintock?

State Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, is a candidate in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District in the 2026 midterm elections. -

Age: 56.

Political party: Republican.

Current town of residence: Alburnett.

Occupation: Police officer (retired), Iowa senator.

Education: Master of business administration, Liberty University.

Political experience: Alburnett City Council, Alburnett mayor, Iowa House and Iowa Senate (current).

Who is Joe Mitchell?

Republican Joe Mitchell, candidate for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District. -

Age: 29.

Political party: Republican.

Current town of residence: Clear Lake.

Occupation: Property developer.

Education: Bachelor's degree, Drake University.

Political experience: Served as a regional director for HUD under the Trump administration and as a chief of staff to FHFA. Previously served in the Iowa Legislature for two terms. Initially ran for office at 20 years old and was later sworn in at the age of 21 — the youngest state legislator in Iowa’s history.

Who is Kathy Dolter?

Kathy Dolter is a Democrat running for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District. -

Age: 68.

Political party: Democrat.

Current town of residence: Asbury.

Occupation: Veteran, nurse, educator, public servant, non-politician.

Education: Doctorate, University of California, San Francisco, Nursing; BSN and MA in nursing from the University of Iowa.

Political experience: None.

Who is Lindsay James?

Democrat Lindsay James, candidate for Iowa Congressional District 2. -

Age: 45.

Political party: Democrat.

Current town of residence: Dubuque.

Occupation: State representative.

Education: Master of divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary.

Political experience: State representative, District 71.

Who is Clint Twedt-Ball?

Democrat Clint Twedt-Ball, candidate for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District. -

Age: 54.

Political party: Democrat.

Current town of residence: Cedar Rapids.

Occupation: United Methodist pastor; founder of Matthew 25, a nonprofit focused on neighborhood revitalization.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, psychology, University of Iowa; masters of divinity, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Political experience: For 20 years, I created and grew Matthew 25, pulling together volunteers to provide a hand-up to thousands of families. We’ve invested millions of dollars in rehabbing homes after the 2008 flood and 2020 derecho, and in expanding access to local, healthy food and educational opportunities.

What would be your top issue if elected?

McClintock (R): The people have an inherent distrust or disappointment in Congress. Many feel that Congress is out of touch, nonresponsive or simply corrupt. This feeling is almost always associated with money over the interests of the people. We must change who we send forward to represent us. To do this, we must take the money out of the equation. No one can predict what the issues are going to be in the next three years. But what we can predict is the “quality of character” of the congressman that represents us. I am not making any promises other than I will honestly and diligently represent the people.

Mitchell (R): Paychecks might be growing in our nation’s capital but they are getting stretched here in Iowa. That’s why my top issue is bringing down the cost of living for everyday people, making life easier for families and farmers, all while eliminating the corruption in D.C. I will fight to drain the swamp once and for all with term limits, stopping insider trading and ending the revolving door from lawmakers to lobbyists. I’ve personally pledged not to take corporate PAC money. Congress was meant to have citizen-legislators with real private sector backgrounds, that's why I am running.

Dolter (D): Health care. Health care is in crisis due to Medicaid cuts, decreased ACA subsidies, employers who offload worker health care costs to taxpayers, and skyrocketing employer-sponsored health insurance costs. Iowa health care providers are laying off employees, curtailing services, or closing. Americans pay more than any other country, but have the shortest lives and highest infant and maternal mortality rates. I would: repeal the Big “Bad” Bill Medicaid cuts and shore up Medicare, Medicaid, the ACA and the VA on our journey to universal health care because health care is a right not a privilege.

James (D): Lowering the cost of living and ending corruption in Washington. Corporate greed has kept wages low and prices high for everything from housing, groceries, health care and utilities. They do this by filling the campaign coffers of our leaders in D.C., who then do their bidding. I’ve stood up on the floor of the Legislature and called out predatory corporations for forcing us into impossible choices. My constituents are choosing between paying rent or paying for insulin, or paying for their heating or buying their child a coat. It’s heartbreaking and it shouldn’t be happening in our country.

Twedt-Ball (D): To tackle the affordability crisis in our country. Too many families are struggling to make ends meet, and our political system has failed to deal with these problems because politicians in both parties are too focused on protecting the political class and catering to wealthy donors. I’ve spent the last 20 years bringing together a broad coalition to address the basic challenges facing working families, and I’ve created practical solutions to expand access to housing, food and community resources. I want to bring that same focus — and my record of getting things done — to Congress.

How can Congress help Iowans struggling with high costs?

Mitchell (R): Congress has to stop their excessive spending, politically driven subsidizing and overregulating that drives up the cost of everything from gas to groceries and housing. My background is in housing. I own and operate my own real estate development company and served as a regional director for HUD under the Trump administration and as a chief of staff to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The cost of housing and the lack of supply isn’t just government-driven, it’s Congress-driven. We also need to pass a budget and stop playing politics with the government shutdowns.

Dolter (D): Congress can: 1) Ensure living incomes for workers and seniors by raising the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour and shoring up Social Security by increasing the taxable income cap to include all income, 2) Stop the Trump tariff taxes that are increasing consumer costs, 3) Stop cuts to wind and solar that are contributing to high energy costs, 4) Ensure workers’ rights and protect worker pensions, jobs and health care, 5) Subsidize child care costs so working families can afford to work, and 6) Implement housing policies so first-time homebuyers can achieve the American Dream of home ownership.

James (D): My top priority in Congress would be lowering everyday costs for Iowans. Smart tariff policy so that basics like coffee or beef don’t skyrocket in price, cutting red tape so we can have a house building boom, allow Medicare to negotiate all drug prices and increase the child tax credit and invest in our caregivers to make the jobs more attractive and less costly to families are all simple steps we can take to immediately bring down costs for Iowans.

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Twedt-Ball (D): We need to stop the administration's chaotic tariffs and wars that are driving up the price of everyday goods. Congress can lower housing costs by supporting programs to fix up existing homes and expanding down payment assistance. We can lower food costs by strengthening local food systems. We can lower energy costs by restoring investments in cheaper, cleaner energy and making sure big tech data centers aren't driving up electric bills. The solutions aren’t complicated. We just need leaders who actually care about getting it done.

McClintock (R): It is naïve to assume that free money can fix issues like poverty or the economy. Money can fix money-related problems that people create, but only if we allow it. Just as people can fix the problems related to the economy, jobs and each other much better than the government can. Some of the best growth and prosperity in the country occurred when government stayed out of the people’s business. In short, Congress needs to get out of the way of the average American. Destructive and overburdensome regulations stifle growth and impede progress.

How do you rate President Trump’s handling of immigration, and what should Congress’ role be in setting immigration policy?

Dolter (D): Immigration Grade = D-. Immigrants are the backbone of our economy, making up 70% of ag, 20% of health and 30% of construction industry workforces. Immigrant spending contributes billions to our economy, and their taxes shore up Social Security. Congress should implement reforms that include a strong border, a path to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants, enough visas to ensure industries have the workers needed without hurting citizen jobs, visas for those who helped fight our wars, and a uniformed, badged, demasked, civil rights/de-escalation trained, ICE force stationed at the border.

James (D): As a mother, I want my children and our communities to be safe. As a minister, my faith teaches me to love and care for our neighbors. Our immigration policy can and must reflect those priorities. Unfortunately, Congress would rather use the issue to divide us instead of solving it. It’s why we need new leadership. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform that fully funds our border security, gives a pathway to citizenship for taxpayers in this country and ensures we are building the workforce our country needs by reforming our H-2A program and keeping nursing and caregiver jobs filled.

Twedt-Ball (D): This administration’s approach to immigration has hurt our economy and made communities less safe. ICE needs to be overhauled, and the agency must follow due process and change the way it engages with communities. Immigrants have long been part of Iowa’s story, and I would champion a common-sense approach to build on that legacy: invest in a secure border, fix our asylum system to adjudicate cases more quickly, maintain temporary protected status for people who have lawfully resided in the U.S. and create a path to citizenship for dreamers who consider America their home.

McClintock (R): Some excellent policy, especially on securing the border, but also some flawed execution. Congress should work cooperatively with the president on ALL policy, especially when that policy requires additional funding and support from lawmakers. We represent the people, and to silence lawmakers silences the people of our districts.

Mitchell (R): Under President Biden, our border was wide open and our nation suffered. President Trump took office and immediately secured the border, took on a broken immigration system and is once and for all addressing problems politicians in both parties have ignored. Congress needs to continue funding the border and supporting the enforcement of our immigration laws. It’s why I oppose amnesty of any kind and believe we need to remove criminals from our country. We need to always put law-abiding, American citizens first.

What steps should Congress take to make health care more affordable and accessible?

James (D): Congress must take action immediately to lower our health care costs. Iowans deserve nothing less. As a state representative, I have taken action to cap insulin prices at $35 a month and keep health care professionals in the state. In Congress, I will work with anyone to expand access to health care, allow Medicare to negotiate all drug prices, lower the Medicare buy-in age to 55 and reverse the disastrous cuts to Medicaid and our rural health care system that is costing us jobs and care.

Twedt-Ball (D): Every Iowan deserves access to quality, affordable health care. I support lowering health care costs by restoring tax credits that make premiums affordable and expanding Medicare's ability to negotiate lower drug prices. We also must make investments to keep rural hospitals and clinics open, and train and recruit more doctors and nurses to provide care — including mental health care — across Iowa. Ultimately, we need to create a public option and work toward the goal of universal coverage, because health care shouldn't depend on your job, your marital status or your luck.

McClintock (R): Congress should remove barriers for consumers. I mean that we should allow more opportunities for pooling and increase portability for consumers. Health care is always more affordable and negotiable in a larger market with competition. It’s about balance and free market.

Mitchell (R): Bringing down health care costs shouldn’t be a political issue, and it’s on Congress to ensure the government isn’t stifling innovation and efforts for people to explore new forms of care. In the meantime, we also need greater price transparency. Health care is one of the only industries where you can use a service with no idea how much it costs. When corporations can charge anything, they’ll charge high prices. Transparency can fix that.

Dolter (D): Congress needs to: repeal the Big “Bad” Bill with its cuts to Medicaid, restore the CDC and shore up Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the VA Health System on our journey to universal health care, because health care is a right, not a privilege. Universal health care would decrease administrative costs (currently 40% of our health care dollars), make our corporations more competitive, and improve our health care outcomes by increasing our focus on prevention. The time is now for universal health care. Congress needs to stand up to health care special interests and ensure voter health.

Have President Trump’s tariffs helped or hurt Iowans? What changes would you push for in Congress to shape the White House tariff and agriculture policy?

Twedt-Ball (D): This administration’s chaotic, across-the-board tariffs have driven up costs for Iowans and disrupted markets for farmers, manufacturers and small businesses across the state. These trade disruptions, along with high input costs, have put enormous strain on Iowa farmers. We need to pass a new Farm Bill that puts farmers back in control of the ag economy, renews our soil and water and invests in rural communities. The Farm Bill should strengthen the safety net for family farms and provide better support for the next generation of farmers.

McClintock (R): The president has had some success with his tariffs in bringing some of our trading partners to the table to lower many of the tariffs that they have historically levied against U.S. goods. I do believe this policy will help Iowans in the long run. I would push for any president to make sure that they keep Congress apprised of the conduct of negotiations and make sure there is a strategy to the use of, or the threat of tariffs in the future, especially if it impacts Iowa.

Mitchell (R): Under Joe Biden, America was getting ripped off. So were our farmers. President Trump is using tariffs as a short-term negotiating tool to secure better deals and implement his foreign policy. So overall, the president’s focus on reshoring jobs and investment here in Iowa will be a long-term gain. Congress should focus on creating consistency in governance: passing a regular Farm Bill and budget, providing real tools to the executive branch to negotiate better trade deals for the country. Congress shouldn’t punish producers through one-size-fits-all environmental rules and regulations.

Dolter (D): Trump’s tariffs have hurt Iowa farmers, families and businesses. Iowa farmers have had their markets destroyed, costing more than any tariff revenue collected. The average annual cost of the tariffs to Iowa families was $1,700, while costing Iowa small businesses an average of $197,000. Congress needs to take back its Article I power to levy tariffs. Congress needs to repeal the Big Bad Bill and restore the SNAP program that enables Farm Bill negotiations. A Farm Bill that results in a diversified, stronger, anti-monopoly ag economy protecting our air and water and farmer incomes.

James (D): The tariff policy has absolutely hurt Iowans and especially our farmers. Decades of work to secure markets has been destroyed, and now crops are rotting in bins. Congress must take the tariff power back. Strategic tariffs can work when implemented with clear goals to protect American manufacturers and farmers. Unfortunately, the president went about this by slapping tariffs on countries and products willy-nilly and then taking them off just as quickly. No economy in the world, let alone any farmer, can handle that level of volatility. It's costing us at the store and our farmers at the plant.

Read much more about all the primary candidates at: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/news/elections/.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Who's running for Congress in Iowa's 2nd District? Meet the candidates

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