Lindsay James, an Iowa state legislator and the Democratic candidate for a congressional seat, recorded absences for over half of her votes in the state’s House of Representatives during a recent legislative session, according to official records.
Records from the state legislature indicate that in 2026, James missed 177 out of 342 votes, which accounts for 51.7% of the total. This voting record appears to conflict with earlier assurances James provided regarding her commitment to legislative responsibilities while campaigning, leading to criticism from Republican circles who suggest she is prioritizing her bid for federal office over her current elected position.
Republican Criticism Over Legislative Absences
The National Republican Congressional Committee voiced strong opposition to James's attendance record. Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson for the committee, stated:
"Lindsay James promised Iowans that campaigning wouldn’t distract her from the job she was elected to do. That didn’t last long."
Tuttle further asserted that James's actions demonstrated a preference for her political aspirations over her duties to constituents.
"James chose her own political ambitions over showing up for work, proving that when given the choice between serving constituents and serving herself, she puts herself first."
James Campaign Defends Record
In response to the criticism, James's campaign defended her tenure and legislative efforts. Jackson Smith, a campaign spokesperson, emphasized her dedication to Iowa families:
"Lindsay has always fought for Iowa families, taking on corporate greed and predatory landlords and writing the bill to cap the cost of insulin."
Smith also contrasted James with her Republican opponent, Joe Mitchell, a former state representative:
"While Lindsay listens to and works for the Iowans making impossible economic choices caused by Joe Mitchell and his Washington allies, Mitchell has been using his campaign cash to party with Washington insiders and will be a rubber stamp for the policies raising Iowa families’ costs."
Prior Commitments and Missed Votes
At the beginning of her congressional campaign, James, who initially joined the Iowa House in 2019, had publicly affirmed her intention to maintain focus on her legislative work despite campaigning full-time. During an interview where she was asked about balancing her duties, James stated:
"Full-time campaigning and, of course, fulfilling my important work in the Iowa legislature. 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."
Despite these assurances, James missed several significant votes in the legislative chamber, often coinciding with her campaign activities.
- On April 20, James did not participate in a vote on a bill aimed at limiting screen time for students in schools. Instead, she attended a campaign event held in Cedar Rapids, approximately two hours away from Des Moines.
- Ten days later, on April 30, she was absent for a vote concerning legislation that would elevate animal torture to a felony offense. On that day, she hosted a meet-and-greet event at a brewery in Decorah, Iowa.
- In another instance, James was absent during the chamber's deliberations on a proposal to reduce property taxes. Her absence coincided with a different candidate activity she hosted in Dubuque, a location roughly a three-hour drive from the state capitol.
Electoral Landscape
Earlier this month, James secured the Democratic nomination in her primary election. She is now campaigning to fill the congressional seat currently held by Representative Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Iowa.
Representative Hinson, who has served the district since 2021, previously announced that she would not seek re-election for her House seat. Instead, she is pursuing a Senate bid, aiming to replace the outgoing Senator Joni Ernst, also a Republican from Iowa.
