Joseph Mitchell is running in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District to replace Republican Ashley Hinson, who is running for Senate.
During a debate with his opponent, Democrat state Rep. Lindsay James, Mitchell left James stumbling by simply reminding voters of her radical record in the State House.
Mitchell stated, “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, who looked like a deer in headlights, interjected, “These are absurd claims and absolutely misleading.”
Mitchell shot back, “It is not. And you know that’s true.”
He then dropped a simple line that left James looking haunted when he reminded her that all of her votes are on the record for voters to see.
“Well, we’ll have everything on our page after this, every single bill that she voted on that we just listed off.”
Watch:
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. https://t.co/gRUv96msbC
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 9, 2026
Mitchell took to social media to share some of her radical votes and her dereliction of duty by missing 177 of 342 votes in the state house since launching her campaign.
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.
https://t.co/8UIB8ufsNr— Joe Mitchell (@joemitchelliowa) October 7, 2026
James voted against a bill requiring noncitizens to verify immmigration status and Iowa residency to receive public assistance.
In March 2024, James voted against a bill which requires noncitizens to verify immigration status and Iowa residency to receive public assistance and creates new felony crimes for smuggling persons into or within the state. (HF 2608, Iowa Legislature, 3/7/24)
— Joe Mitchell (@joemitchelliowa) October 9, 2026
In 2023, James voted against a bill prohibiting the mutilation of minors through sex reassignment surgeries. In 2025, James voted against a bill prohibiting state funds from being used for sex reassignment surgeries, forcing taxpayers to foot the bill.
In May 2025, James voted against prohibiting state funds from being used for sex reassignment surgeries. (HF 1049, Iowa Legislature, Passed House 63-28; James Voted Nay, 5/13/25)
In March 2023, James voted against a bill prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors. (SF 538, Iowa Legislature, Passed House 58-39; James Voted Nay 3/8/23)
On the house floor debating SF 538 she stated “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.” (Lindsay James, Iowa House Floor, 3:42:03pm to 3:42:24pm, 3/8/23)
— Joe Mitchell (@joemitchelliowa) October 9, 2026
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