Lindsay James (née Beals, born 1980) is an American politician and Presbyterian minister serving as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 71st district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents part of Dubuque County and serves as House minority whip. She is the Democratic nominee in the 2026 election in Iowa's 2nd congressional district.
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Early life and education
Born in Portland, Oregon, James graduated from West Linn High School in 1999. She obtained a degree in communications from Santa Clara University in 2003 and earned a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2007.
Ministry career
James was a minister for Menlo Park Presbyterian Church from 2007 to 2010, an interfaith chaplain for Endicott College from 2012 to 2015, and an associate pastor for Westminster Presbyterian Church from 2016 to 2017. Starting in 2015, she worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Dubuque. In 2017, James co-founded and served as director of the Loras College Peace Institute.
Iowa House of Representatives
In 2018, James was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives for the 99th district, where incumbent Democrat Abby Finkenauer retired to successfully run for the U.S. House. She faced Brad Cavanagh and Pat Cullen in the Democratic primary election. She defeated Republican nominee Pauline Chilton in the general election with 60% of the vote.
In 2020, James again faced Republican nominee Pauline Chilton and won re-election with 56.6% of the vote. Following redistricting, James was redrawn into the 71st district and re-elected in 2022. She won a fourth term in 2024, defeating Republican nominee James McClain with 56.1% of the vote.
In 2022, she was elected to the House's Democratic leadership team as Minority Whip. In 2026, she sponsored legislation applicable to mobile homes that would limit rent increases and place restrictions on the termination of rental agreements.
In the Iowa House, James serves on the Environmental Protection Committee. She previously served on the Education, Human Resources, and Ways and Means committees, and was ranking member of the Government Oversight and Judiciary committees.
2026 U.S. House of Representatives campaign
On August 19, 2025, James announced her campaign for Iowa's 2nd congressional district against incumbent Republican Ashley Hinson in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections. James said that she would focus on health care and housing costs, Iowa's growing cancer rate, and economic issues. Hinson subsequently declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Joni Ernst.
Personal life
James lives in Dubuque, Iowa, with her husband, Christopher, and their two children.