J.D. Scholten
J.D. Scholten
Iowa Democratic Senate nominee?
$97.7K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age46 years old (Mar 4, 1980)
GenderMale
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LocationIowa
BackgroundPolitician
EducationMorningside College (attended)
Notable personal detailsJames Dennis (J.D.) Scholten is an Iowa politician and former professional baseball pitcher who has served in the Iowa House of Representatives (District 1, Sioux City area). He was the Democratic nominee for Iowa's 4th Congressional District in 2018 and 2020. Scholten has also worked as a paralegal and nonprofit director and has run for higher office, including launching a U.S. Senate campaign in 2025 before later suspending it.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports federal policy changes to reduce consolidation and increase competition in agriculture, overhaul federal farm subsidy distribution, expand funding for conservation and local food programs, and increase oversight of large corporations; favors targeted federal support rather than broad tax cuts.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable care through a public option and protecting/strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and views universal coverage/Medicare-for-All as a long-term goal while pursuing stepwise reforms to lower costs and include dental and mental health. Opposes Medicaid privatization and advocates protecting marketplace subsidies and tax credits that make coverage affordable for Iowans.
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Immigration & Border
Supports secure borders while advocating improved visa programs for agricultural and guest workers and reforms to the naturalization process; frames immigration as needing bipartisan, comprehensive reform that balances enforcement with legal pathways and workforce needs.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports women’s control over their reproductive health and opposes federal government intrusion into abortion decisions, arguing the choice should be between a woman and her doctor. He has said he would evaluate specific restrictions case-by-case and endorsed medical exceptions for late-term procedures. He also expressed concern about the impact of removing abortion rights on low-income and rural people.
Climate & Energy
Supports growth of clean energy and renewable fuels (particularly ethanol), backs conservation and programs to improve soil and water quality, and favors policies to reduce carbon pollution such as a low-carbon fuel standard while supporting transitional uses of agricultural biofuels.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes proposals to expand guns on K–12 and college campuses and has spoken publicly against such measures. He voted against legislation authorizing school employees to be issued permits to carry weapons. He has been endorsed by gun-safety advocacy groups for running on a gun-safety platform.
News
Retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, endorsed Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, on Saturday in the race to succeed her, a move Republicans are treating as a step toward locking down a high-profile open-seat contest as Democrats try to broaden the 2026 map.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements