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The following is information on races CCI Action Fund is following closely:
Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives Iowa’s Congressional District 1
Photo: Public Domain
Christina
Bohannan (D)
BohannanforCongress.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Iron Workers Local 67, AFSCME Council 61, American Federation of Government Employees, IBEW Local Union 347, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Defend the Vote, League of Conservation Voters, Nurses for America
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Has a degree in environmental engineering and worked as an environmental engineer focused on improving water quality
- Has a law degree and has worked at the University of Iowa as a law school professor since 2000
- Was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives for House District 85 in 2020 after winning a primary against a 20-year incumbent
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
✓ Water Protection
✓ Healthcare
Photo: Public Domain
Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Incumbent (R)
DrMillerMeeks.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
President Donald Trump, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity Action
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve for 24 years
- Became an eye doctor and began working in a medical practice in Ottumwa in 1997
- Elected to Iowa State Senate District 41 in 2018
- Elected to U.S. Congress in 2020, reelected in 2022 and 2024
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
X Public Schools
X Water Protection
X Healthcare
Photo: Hinginmusic, CC BY-SA 4.0
Michael
Bridgford (I)
BridgfordforIowa.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
The Forward Party
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
? Public Schools
? Water Protection
? Data Centers
? Healthcare
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Small Business owner
Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives Iowa’s Congressional District 2
Photo: Public Domain
Lindsay James (D)
LindsayforIowa.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Iowa Federation of Labor, Iowa International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Iowa State Counsil of Machinists, Iowa Teamsters, AFSCME Council 61, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 83, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, MoveOn, Planned Parenthood, Defend the Vote, Emily’s list (many more, see list on her website)
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
? Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Ordained Presbyterian minister
- Elected to the Iowa House of Representatives from the 9th district in 2018 and reelected in 2020
- Elected to the redrawn 99th district in 2022, and 2024
- Elected Minority Whip for the House Democratic leadership team in 2022
Photo: Public Domain
Joe Mitchell(R)
JoeMitchell.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
President Donald Trump, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Turning Point Action
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Is a housing developer
- Elected to Iowa House of Representatives in 2018 and 2020
- Was on President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team in 2024
- Worked as chief of staff in the Federal Housing Finance Agency starting in 2025
- Was appointed Regional Administrator for the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in July 2025
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
? Public Schools
? Water Protection
X Data Centers
X Healthcare
Dave Bushaw (I)
DaveBushaw.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
The Forward Party
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Is a folk and labor musician
- Spent 2014-2019 developing his squash farm
- Was a rural field organizer for Senator Bernie Sanders’presidential campaign in 2019-2020
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
? Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
Michael Bridgford (I)
BridgfordforIowa.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
None listed by candidate
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Worked as a member of the Maquoketa Police Dept.
- Founded Frontier Natural Products Co-op in 1976 and continued to be involved for the next 24 years
- Has previously run for U.S. Senate, Linn County Sheriff, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Iowa Governor but has not won any of those campaigns
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
? Public Schools
? Data Centers
? Healthcare
Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives Iowa’s Congressional District 3
Photo: Public Domain
Sarah Trone Garriott (D)
Saraforiowa.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Ironworkers Local 67, Teamsters Local 238, IBEW, AFSCME Council 61, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Emily’s List, Vote Mama, Elect Democratic Women, End Citizens United
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Ordained Lutheran Minister - served in rural Virginia, moved to Iowa in 2013 to lead Faith Lutheran Church in Clive
- Was Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network from 2017-2025
- State Senator since 2020 - flipped a Republican-held seat in 2020
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
✓ Water Protection
✓ Healthcare
Photo: Public Domain
Zach Nunn(R)
ZachNunn.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
President Donald J. Trump, National Federation of Independent Business, Iowa Farm Bureau, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Turning Point Action
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Served in the United States Air Force, airborne intelligence officer
- Serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve
- Served on the White House National Security Council
- Elected to the Iowa State House of Representatives for the 30th District in 2014 and 2016
- Elected to the Iowa State Senate for the 15th District in 2018 and 2020
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Iowa District 3 in 2022 and 2024
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
X Public Schools
X Water Protection
Candidates for Iowa State Senate Iowa State Senate District 23
Tony Thompson (D)
TonyThompsonforIowa.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Iowa Unity Coalition, Iowa Farmers Union, AFSCME Council 61, IBEW Local Union 347, New Century Forum
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Is the 4th generation on his family’s farm and in 2013 began a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) on his land
- Worked with Habitat for Humanity
- Has worked in the tech field as a data analyst and data scientist
- Bought Prudent Produce and transformed it into a leading food hub in Iowa
- Board member and former vice president of the Iowa Farmers Union
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
✓ Water Protection
? Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
Wes Enos (R)
WesEnos.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Americans for Prosperity-Iowa, Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Iowa PAC, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s IIPAC
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Is currently Deputy Chief of Staff for Republican U.S. House Representative Zach Nunn
- Was mayor of Bondurant
- Was on the Bondurant City Council and also served on the Chamber of Commerce
- Was on the Des Moines Visitors and Conventions Bureau Board of Directors
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
? Data Centers
? Healthcare
Candidates for Iowa House of Representatives Iowa House District 41
Photo: Public Domain
Molly Buck (D)
MollyBuckforAnkeny.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 61, IBEW Local Union 347, Justice Opportunity Liberty Politico (JOLPOL), Next Century Forum, One Iowa Action, States Win
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Has been a teacher in the Ankeny Community School District for over two decades
- Was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2022
- Served as President of the Ankeny Area Education Association
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
✓ Water Protection
? Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
Photo: Public Domain
Ryan Weldon, Incumbent (R)
VoteRyanWeldon.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Americans for Prosperity-Iowa, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Iowa PAC, Save the Children Action Network, Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s IIPAC
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Has worked in a range of jobs including the insurance industry, men’s fashion, banking, FinTech, digital marketing, and website development
- Was elected to the Ankeny School Board in 2019 and 2021
- Served as Ankeny School Board President
- Was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2024
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
X Public Schools
? Data Centers
Candidates for Iowa State House District 43
Jill Alesch(D)
Jill4iowa.com
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Was in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1998-2020 (earned a Bronze Star)
- Worked for the US Dept. of Justice as a Prosecutor
- Worked for the US Attorney’s office as a Special Assistant US Attorney
- Was a Judge Advocate in the Iowa Army National Guard
- Was a Senior Contract Analyst/Attorney for the Principal Financial Group
- Works at Principal Life Insurance Company
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
VoteVets, Former US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Johnston-Grimes Local 4835 Firefighters, AFSCME Council 61, IBEW Local Union 347
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
✓ Water Protection
? Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
Nicole Hasso (R)
NicoleHasso.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Governor Kim Reynolds, Former Governor Terry Branstad, Iowa State House Representative for District 43 Eddie Andrews, Iowa State Senators Cherielynn Westrich and Doug Campbell, National Federation of Independent Business Iowa PAC
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Served as a Financial Advisor for decades to families, small businesses and family farms
- Was a Financial Advisor at Principal Financial Group
- Ran for U.S. Congress in Iowa’s 3rd District in 2022 as a Republican
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
X Public Schools
? Water Protection
? Data Centers
X Healthcare
Candidates for Iowa State House District 52
Mike Tupper (D)
MikeTupperforIowaHouse.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Iowa State Education Association, United Auto Workers (UAW)
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Was Nevada Chief of Police from 2004-2011
- Was Marshalltown Chief of Police from 2011-2025
- Has been in Iowa law enforcement for 32 years
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
? Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
Photo: Public Domain
David Blom (R)
Davidblom.com
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Elected to the Iowa Legislature in 2024 (incumbent in 2026)
- Is a union sheet metal worker
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Iowa PAC
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
X Public Schools
? Data Centers
Candidates for Iowa State House District 59
Jacob Welper (D)
WelperforIowa.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 61, Justice Opportunity Liberty Politico (JOLPOL)
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Taught for 6 years in a rural Iowa public school as a 5th Grade/High School band director
- Was a High School Cross Country Coach for 3 years
- Has been a member of the Iowa National Guard for the past 11 years
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
? Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
Photo: Iowa General Assembly
Christian Hermanson,
Incumbent (R)
HermansonforIowa.com
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Iowa PAC, Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) PAC, Americans for Prosperity-Iowa, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) PAC
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Served in the military for 29 years and retired as a US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant
- Was a police officer
- Was elected in 2024 as Iowa House Representative for District 59 and is running for re-election in 2026
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
X Public Schools
? Data Centers
Candidates for Iowa House of Representatives Iowa House District 100
Matthew Mohrfeld (D)
MohrfeldforIowaFuture.com
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Has owned and operated Matt’s Greenhouse in Fort Madison for nearly 50 years
- Has served three terms as Mayor of Fort Madison
- Served two terms on the Lee County Board of Supervisors
- Served on the State Empowerment Board for Early Childhood Development
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
None identified on his website
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
✓ Public Schools
✓ Water Protection
✓ Data Centers
✓ Healthcare
Photo: Public Domain
Blaine Watkins, Incumbent (R)
BlaineWatkinsforIowa.com
ELECTORAL/WORK HISTORY:
- Was a state senate clerk
- Is a farmer
- Is currently the Iowa House Representative for District 100 after being elected in a special election in March 2025
PROMINENT ENDORSERS:
Americans for Prosperity-Iowa, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Iowa PAC, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s IIPAC, Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC
SCORECARD ON CCI ACTION ISSUES:
? Public Schools
X Water Protection
? Data Centers
? Healthcare
This Voter Guide was developed by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund to help Iowa voters prepare for voting in the 2026 Midterm election.
CI Action brings people together to push for a government and an economy that work for people and the planet. We’re thousands of members strong across the state – from Iowa’s rural areas, small towns, and big cities.
- We do grassroots issue organizing and work in elections.
- We’re about changing “business as usual” politics and taking on the corrosive influence of big money special interests.
- We’re about energizing, engaging, and bringing real people into the center of our political system.
We want to thank the following for their part in developing this Voter Guide:
Created and written by Christina Roessler
Designed by Ming Yuen
This voter guide is provided and paid for by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund. Not authorized by any candidates or candidate's committee. Lisa Whelan, Executive Director. 2001 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311. cciaction.org