Who is running for Iowa House, District 42 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Iowa House, District 42 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Iowa House District 42.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Amy TagliareniDemocrat | Heather StephensonRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | No public position | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestSaid · low |
| School choice | Yes, but focused on low-income and special-needs studentsQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position |
Amy Tagliareni
DemocratCorporate engagement manager
Amy Tagliareni is the Democratic nominee for Iowa House District 42, an open seat in Ankeny12. She is a corporate engagement manager and served six years on the Ankeny school board2.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceYes, but focused on low-income and special-needs studentslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- Said the voucher program diverts money from public schools and that at a minimum it should be reformed to be income-based. (2026-05) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, 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, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Heather Stephenson
RepublicanAdjunct instructor, Des Moines Area Community College
Heather Stephenson is the Republican nominee for Iowa House District 42, an open seat in Ankeny, and ran for the seat in 202412. She is a DMACC adjunct instructor with a background in child welfare and juvenile justice2.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign site calls her a pro-life advocate dedicated to promoting a culture that values life at every stage. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, 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, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.