Broken Promise: Lindsay James Skipped Out on Iowans

When Lindsay James launched her campaign for Congress, she assured Iowans that running for higher office wouldn’t distract her from the job taxpayers elected her to do. Last August, James promised she would continue “fulfilling [her] important work in the Iowa legislature” and that “fighting for [her] constituents…will never stop.”

That promise didn’t last long.

Since announcing her run for Congress, Lindsay James has missed 117 of 342 recorded votes in the Iowa House…more than half the votes taken in 2026. And where was she? Campaigning for a promotion to Congress.

Below are just a few votes James skipped while campaigning:

• April 20: Missed votes, including legislation to limit screen time in elementary schools, while hosting a campaign meet-and-greet in Cedar Rapids.
• April 27: Missed legislative votes while holding a campaign event in Mason City.
• April 30: Missed votes, including legislation to make animal torture a felony, while attending a campaign event at Pulpit Rock Brewery in Decorah.
• May 3: Missed votes, including legislation to lower property taxes for Iowa families, while hosting a campaign event in Dubuque.

Lindsay James promised Iowans she would keep fighting for them. Instead, she skipped work to campaign for Congress, while collecting a taxpayer-funded paycheck.

“Lindsay James promised Iowans that campaigning wouldn’t distract her from the job she was elected to do. That didn’t last long.  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.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Emily Tuttle