Monday, October 26, 2026 Vol. I · No. 6 · Late Edition Print size
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The Wire
Vance announces $57 million in USDA meatpacking grants at Kansas campaign rally Raskin warns oil industry that importing Russian diesel could bring criminal penalties On tape: Schiff: Trump's Justice Department is now "complicit" in trying to subvert the elections Trump brings Manziel, McCoy and Amendola to Texas as Senate race stays tight Philadelphia lost an estimated $811 million in sales to ICE arrest fears, Penn study finds Texas early vote tops 4.5 million, up 74%, as Talarico and Paxton run neck and neck Judge extends block on Trump's plan to remake East Potomac public golf course Justice Department moves to charge James Comey a third time, days before midterms Illinois man charged over four white-powder letters to Congress; FBI says it was salt On tape: El-Sayed: "My name and my faith are not the reason you can't afford gas." Vance announces $57 million in USDA meatpacking grants at Kansas campaign rally Raskin warns oil industry that importing Russian diesel could bring criminal penalties On tape: Schiff: Trump's Justice Department is now "complicit" in trying to subvert the elections Trump brings Manziel, McCoy and Amendola to Texas as Senate race stays tight Philadelphia lost an estimated $811 million in sales to ICE arrest fears, Penn study finds Texas early vote tops 4.5 million, up 74%, as Talarico and Paxton run neck and neck Judge extends block on Trump's plan to remake East Potomac public golf course Justice Department moves to charge James Comey a third time, days before midterms Illinois man charged over four white-powder letters to Congress; FBI says it was salt On tape: El-Sayed: "My name and my faith are not the reason you can't afford gas."
Lindsay James U.S. House — Iowa's 2nd District Toss-up First run
IA-2nominee

U.S. House — Iowa's 2nd District · First run

Lindsay James

Lindsay James is a Dubuque state representative and former Presbyterian minister who won the June 2 Democratic primary for Iowa's open 2nd District seat. She faces Republican Joe Mitchell, a former state lawmaker endorsed by President Trump, and the DCCC added her to its Red to Blue program in July.

On the ballot against Joe Mitchell (R)

Why it matters: Democrats are targeting this open Republican-held seat in their push to flip the House, and the DCCC put James on its Red to Blue list.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingToss-upCook Political Report, Oct 26 source
Money raised (through Oct 14) James$3,917,994 Mitchell$2,916,069 $265,953 cash on hand. source

In Lindsay's own words

It is time to end the war immediately, bring our troops home.
Lindsay James, On the war in Iran, at a PBS debate with Joe Mitchell, Oct 9 source
Iowans need a leader who will fight to lower their cost of living and take on the corrupt politicians.
Lindsay James, On agreeing to general election debates, Aug 19 source

Where Lindsay stands

Cost of living
She wants to ease financial pressure on working Iowa families and says politicians favor wealthy donors and corporations. source
Healthcare
She wants to protect people from medical bankruptcy and make medication and care affordable, including in rural areas. source
Education
She wants to fully fund public schools and opposes Iowa's private school voucher program. source
Iran war
She says the war should end immediately and troops should come home. source
Farmers
She wants Congress to support farmers through economic hardship and pass a new farm bill without delay. source

The record

  • Has served in the Iowa House since 2019 (District 99, then District 71 after redistricting) and was elected House Minority Whip in 2022.
  • Ordained Presbyterian minister who worked as a chaplain and associate pastor, and who teaches at the University of Dubuque.
  • Co-founded the Loras College Peace Institute in 2017.
ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on Joe Mitchell

  • Mitchell served in the Iowa House from 2019 to 2023, and later worked as a Trump-appointed HUD regional administrator and as chief of staff at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. source
  • Mitchell founded Run Gen Z, a group that recruits young conservatives to run for office. President Trump endorsed him in the primary. source
  • The DCCC has called Mitchell a 'Des Moines insider' and cited his past work for a lobbying firm and his founding of a lobby group for real estate developers. This is the Democratic committee's characterization. source

Endorsed by

Former U.S. Rep. Dave LoebsackFormer U.S. Rep. Abby FinkenauerU.S. Sen. Elissa SlotkinIowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIOEMILY's List

On tape

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose." James Talarico used a famous movie quote at a rally.Oct 25James Talarico calls the upcoming election a battle between the powers that be and the powers that ought to be. Speaking at a rally, James Talarico reminded voters to come together to impeach Paxton as attorney general. He also promised to ban corporate PACs, super PACs, gerrymandering, and pass term limits.Oct 25Talarico promises to "shock the world" and beat billionaires in Texas.Oct 25Anti-corruption measures: James Talarico outlines a comprehensive agenda for Washington, D.C.Oct 25Jamie Raskin: Trump fired his own prosecutor for refusing to charge James ComeyOct 24Ex-GOP Mayor calls Ken Paxton the most corrupt official in the country. Steve Bartlett, in an interview with Forbes Breaking News, stated that he believes Ken Paxton is "the most corrupt public official in the entire country." Bartlett also said James Telereco is "honest" and "will fight against corruption when he goes to the Senate."Oct 23

In the files

Accountability

Justice Department moves to charge James Comey a third time, days before midterms

Prosecutors filed a criminal information accusing the former FBI director of transmitting national defense information in 2016. Comey says he is 'still innocent,' and a former Justice Department inspector general calls the filing an attempt to keep alive a case that 'deserved to die 9 years ago.'

Lindsay James. Photo: Iowa Legislative Assembly, Copyrighted free use

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Race data checked Monday, October 26, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.