Who is running for Iowa Senate, District 19 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Iowa Senate, District 19 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Iowa Senate District 19.
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 | Barb Kniff McCullaRepublican | Zachary MechamDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Safety net programs | No public position | Keep them about as they areQuestionnaire answer · low |
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestOfficial action · 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 · medium | 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 |
| DEI programs | Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutionsVoted · medium | No public position |
Barb Kniff McCulla
RepublicanIowa state representative, District 37 (running for Senate)
Barb Kniff McCulla is the Republican nominee for Iowa Senate District 1912, which includes all of Jasper County and portions of Marion and Mahaska counties2. She currently represents House District 37, where she was first elected in 2022, and chairs the House Labor and Workforce Committee12. She owns KLK Construction, a Pella telecommunications contracting company2, and did not respond to the Des Moines Register questionnaire3.
Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familymedium
Voted · medium confidence- 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
Official action · medium confidence- 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
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
Curriculum and booksNo single answer fitslow
Official action · low confidence- Is a listed sponsor of HF 8 (2023), a bill that prohibits instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through grade three. (2023-01-11) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Energy and climate, 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, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, Religion in schools, China policy.
Zachary Mecham
DemocratOwner, digital marketing company
Zachary Mecham is the Democratic nominee for Iowa Senate District 192. He is 32, lives in Pleasantville, and owns a small digital marketing company1. He says his involvement in politics began in 2015 when Iowa Medicaid was privatized and that he has regularly worked with legislators at the Capitol1.
Where they stand 2 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 he said he would advocate a voucher program for students who cannot afford private school, without subsidizing private schools for families who can afford them. (2026) source
Safety net programsKeep them about as they arelow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In the Des Moines Register questionnaire he said his priority is to protect Medicaid, food stamps, Social Security and other safety net services. (2026) source
No public position found on: 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.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.