Joseph Mitchell is running in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District to replace Republican Ashley Hinson, who is running for Senate. Mitchell’s opponent is Democratic state Rep. Lindsay James.
During a debate, Mitchell went after James’s record in the Iowa House, pointing to her attendance, votes and background. Mitchell said:
“So this is before she made her home LA and San Francisco, Massachusetts, before she conveniently moved to Iowa just 10 years ago, immediately ran for office.”
“She gets in office, she missed over half her votes this last legislative session.”
“And when she was there, which was probably worse, she was voting to give illegal immigrants state-funded Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance, sex changes for kids. She hasn’t seen a tax raise she didn’t like.”
“She was letting criminals off, violent criminals that we were trying to penalize and give the three strikes law to.”
“So again, we don’t judge her for being from Portland, Oregon.”
James pushed back immediately. “These are absurd claims and absolutely misleading.”
Mitchell rejected that response. “It is not. And you know that’s true.”
He then pointed to the public record, telling James, “Well, we’ll have everything on our page after this, every single bill that she voted on that we just listed off.”
Townhall shared video of the exchange:
After the debate, Mitchell continued laying out the record on social media. He said James missed 177 of 342 votes in the state House since launching her campaign. His message was blunt:
“My opponent missed over half of her votes in the state legislature. Before asking the people for a promotion, she should try showing up to her job first.”
Mitchell also highlighted a March 2024 vote involving public assistance. According to his post, James voted against a bill requiring noncitizens to verify immigration status and Iowa residency to receive public assistance. The bill also created new felony crimes for smuggling persons into or within the state. Mitchell identified the measure as HF 2608 and cited the Iowa Legislature’s March 7, 2024, record.
The Republican candidate also listed votes involving gender-transition procedures and state funding. His post said James voted against a 2023 bill prohibiting the mutilation of minors through sex reassignment surgeries. It also said she voted against a 2025 bill prohibiting state funds from being used for sex reassignment surgeries.
Mitchell identified the 2025 measure as HF 1049. The post said it passed the House 63-28, with James voting nay on May 13, 2025. It identified the 2023 measure as SF 538, which passed the House 58-39, with James voting nay on March 8, 2023.
During the House debate on SF 538, James said:
“it is mind boggling that the defense of this legislation is under the disguise of protecting children. When has protecting children meant denying them what can be lifesaving care.”
James called Mitchell’s claims absurd and misleading. Mitchell said the bills, votes and attendance record would be posted for public review. His central argument was straightforward: before asking Iowans for a promotion, James’s record in the State House should be examined closely.
Must watch debate moment:
Patriot @joemitchelliowa eviscerates Democrat opponent @Lindsay4Iowa's entire career and her eyes go wide as she realizes it live.
She's completely outclassed and left speechless. pic.twitter.com/gRUv96msbC
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 9, 2026