300 Main Street, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001
Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm, Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Representative Lindsay James (D)
lindsayjames4iowa@gmail.com
2494 Pearl St
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-235-4278
Who?
I am, first and foremost, a proud mom of two amazing kids and the wife of Rev. Dr. Chris James, Ph.D., a professor of practical theology at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Before joining the legislature, I spent most of my career serving as a college chaplain. I’m also an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church here in Dubuque.
Beyond my chaplaincy work, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a city commissioner, an ISU Extension county official, and a leader in the NAACP. As your State Representative for Iowa House District 71, I am honored to serve as the Iowa House Democratic Whip, the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the caucus. During my six years in the legislature, I co-founded Iowa’s first bicameral, bipartisan caucus, championed insulin access and mobile home protections, and helped pass historic racial justice reform. I remain committed to mobilizing our community around the values that secure a bright future for our children—through a thriving and just economy, affordable healthcare, a clean environment, strong schools, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Why?
As a college chaplain, I dedicated my career to bringing people together acrossdifferences, always striving to do what is good, right, and just for our communities. I began to wonder if the skills I used to bridge divides in a religious context could be applied to politics. In 2018, I ran for office with the goal of healing the political divide and focusing on the common-sense work that my constituents are eager for us to accomplish. I am running again because there is still important work to be done—on housing, mental health, protecting women’s bodily autonomy, and addressing many other pressing issues!
What?
As a mom, I am deeply committed to strengthening public education. I will prioritize increasing public funding for our schools and reversing the cuts to special education services through the Area Education Agencies, among other critical needs.
As a woman, I am dedicated to defending reproductive rights and protecting a person’s right to choose when to start a family. While not everyone will make the same decision regarding abortion, I believe that no one is more qualified to make a personal medical decision than the patient and their provider.
As a middle-class Iowan, I am committed to lowering costs for Iowa families. I will work to achieve this by expanding the child and dependent tax credit, ensuring affordable childcare and housing, and creating economic opportunities that will keep our young people in Iowa.
How you intend to represent the business community?
Workforce recruitment and retention remain the top concerns I hear from local businesses and industries. While securing a great job is a critical first step for new workers, the state must partner with businesses to ensure long-term success. This includes providing affordable, quality housing by boosting our workforce housing tax credit and addressing the pressing need for affordable childcare. We should fund initiatives that help businesses establish their own childcare centers and offer grants to support the opening of additional centers. Education also plays a vital role in workforce development. Quality public education requires increased investment, and we must focus on creating community vitality to attract and retain college graduates in Iowa. Additionally, supporting federally-registered apprenticeships will further strengthen our workforce pipeline.
I am also committed to backing tools like TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and historic tax credits for appropriate projects, especially those that benefit startups and family-owned businesses, helping them thrive in our local economy.
What should the government’s role in business entail?
Government plays a crucial role as a stakeholder in the economic success of our state. I believe it should actively partner with businesses and communities by providing essential support and infrastructure. This includes ensuring adequate investment in public goods like education, from K-12 schools to community colleges, workforce training, and higher education institutions across the state. It also means maintaining quality infrastructure, improving water and air quality, safeguarding contract rights, and supporting a strong judicial system. Expanding broadband access statewide is another critical priority.
Public-private collaborations are vital to improving the lives of Iowans, as they bring together resources and expertise to tackle shared challenges. Additionally, the government must uphold product safety standards, as well as consumer, environmental, and worker protections. This levels the playing field for businesses committed to doing things the right way, ensuring fair competition and a healthier, safer environment for all.
