IA-02: Iowa 2nd District Democratic candidates debate healthcare, immigration

Access to healthcare and changes to the U.S. immigration system were among the top issues for all three of the Democrats running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District during a debate Wednesday hosted by KCRG-TV9 and KWQC.

State Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque, Clint Twedt-Ball, the founder of the nonprofit Matthew 25, and Kathy Dolter, former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College and a retired Army nurse, all participated in the debate televised Wednesday evening. They are competing to become the Democratic nominee for the open 2nd Congressional District seat in the 2026 election. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who currently holds the office, is running for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat.

Though political forecasters have not predicted Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District will be as potentially competitive as the 1st and 3rd Districts in the upcoming midterms, Democratic candidates have argued the northeast Iowa district, which includes cities like Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque and Mason City, is a potential pickup for Democrats this election cycle.

James, who has been serving in the Iowa House since 2019, said she believes her campaign is the best shot at winning back the seat as she has a “won in trending red districts multiple times.”



https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/05/13/iowa-2nd-district-democratic-candidates-debate-healthcare-immigration/