Iowa state representative, District 46

Dan Gehlbach is the Republican state representative for Iowa House District 46 (parts of Dallas and Polk counties) and has served since 2023²; he chairs the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee¹. Before the legislature he and his wife owned a Mathnasium learning center, and earlier he worked as a certified internal auditor in the healthcare and insurance industries⁴. He served on the Waukee school board from 2019 to 2022². He faces Democrat Mandy Newton Rosenow on the November 3, 2026 ballot³.

Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence

• School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familyhigh

  Voted · high confidence

  • His campaign website says he helped deliver historic Education Savings Accounts that give parents more educational choices. (2026) source
  • Voted yes on HF 68 (2023), the Students First Act creating education savings accounts; it passed the House 55 to 45. (2023-01-23) source
• AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HF 732 (2023 special session), which bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, with listed exceptions; it passed the House 56 to 34. (2023-07-11) source
  • Is a listed sponsor of HF 2332 (2026), a bill that prohibits elective abortion, with a medical emergency exception. (2026-02-06) source
• Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SF 538 (2023), which bans gender transition procedures for minors with some exceptions; it passed the House 58 to 39. (2023-03-08) source
• ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SF 2340 (2024), which makes illegal reentry into Iowa by certain noncitizens a state crime; it passed the House 64 to 30. (2024-03-19) source
  • His campaign website says he has supported legislation giving law enforcement more tools to combat illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug trafficking and violent crime. (2026) source
• DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HF 856 (2025), which bars state and local government entities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion offices or officers; the House passed it 61 to 37. (2025-03-18) source
  • Voted yes when the House passed HF 856 again, 59 to 32, after the Senate amended it. (2025-05-13) source
• Kids onlineRequire app stores and platforms to verify age and get parental consentmedium

  Official action · medium confidence

  • Is a listed sponsor of HF 2255 (2024), a bill requiring parental authorization for minors to create social media accounts. (2024-02-01) source

No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, Religion in schools, China policy.