Who is running for Iowa House, District 46 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Iowa House, District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Iowa House District 46.
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 | Dan GehlbachRepublican | Mandy Newton RosenowDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestVoted · medium | No public position |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadyVoted · medium | No public position |
| School choice | Yes, universal school choice for every familyVoted · high | Yes, but focused on low-income and special-needs studentsQuestionnaire answer · medium |
| Gender care for minors | No, ban these treatments for minorsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Kids online | Require app stores and platforms to verify age and get parental consentOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| DEI programs | Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutionsVoted · medium | No public position |
Dan Gehlbach
Republican · IncumbentIowa 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
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.
Mandy Newton Rosenow
DemocratPhysician assistant
Mandy Newton Rosenow is the Democratic nominee for Iowa House District 461, which includes parts of Dallas and Polk counties3. She is a physician assistant who was born and raised in Sioux City, attended the University of Iowa, and earned her master's degree as a physician assistant at Des Moines University4. She faces Republican incumbent Dan Gehlbach on the November 3, 2026 ballot1.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceYes, but focused on low-income and special-needs studentsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In the Des Moines Register questionnaire she said Iowa needs oversight and limits on the education savings account system, with income caps and a capacity limit. (2026-05) source
- Her campaign website says she will increase oversight of school voucher spending and evaluate where vouchers are working. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, 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, Minimum wage.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.