Records indicate that Lindsey James, a state representative and Democratic contender for the Iowa House, missed over half of the votes last year. Specifically, she was absent for 177 out of 342 votes, which amounts to 51.7% of the total, according to legislative records.
This absence contradicts the assurances James had given regarding her campaign’s impact on her role as a legislator. Critics, particularly from the Republican side, have seized upon this situation to suggest that she is prioritizing her campaign over her current responsibilities. “Lindsay James assured Iowans that her campaign wouldn’t interfere with her duties. Clearly, that was short-lived,” remarked Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
“James has prioritized her political ambitions over her constituents, showing that when there’s a conflict between her interests and those of the people she’s supposed to serve, she’ll choose herself first,” Tuttle added.
On the other hand, James’ campaign argues that she has effectively represented her constituents. Jackson Smith, a spokesperson for her campaign, stated, “Lindsay has consistently fought for Iowa families, tackled corporate greed, and worked on legislation aimed at capping insulin costs.” He also noted that she is actively listening to Iowans struggling with economic choices while criticizing her opponent, Joe Mitchell, for alleged ties to Washington insiders.
At the start of her campaign, James had expressed in an interview that despite her full-time campaign commitment, her responsibilities in the legislature would remain a priority. During that interview, she mentioned, “I will work full-time on the campaign but will continue my essential work in the Iowa Legislature.” She emphasized her dedication, stating, “I’ve always worked hard at the Capitol, from dawn until dusk, to serve my constituents. That’s just how I am.”
Despite this, since she joined the Iowa House in 2019, James has missed significant votes. For instance, on April 20, instead of voting on a bill aimed at regulating students’ screen time, she attended a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, which is about two hours from Des Moines. Additionally, she missed a vote to classify animal cruelty as a felony on April 30 while hosting a different event in Decorah, Iowa. In another instance, she skipped a consideration of property tax reductions to participate in a candidate’s event in Dubuque, which is three hours away from the Capitol.
Most recently, James has campaigned for the seat currently held by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), who won the Democratic primary earlier this month.
Hinson, who has been in office since 2021, announced she will not run for re-election as she aims for a Senate seat to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).
