Who is running for Iowa Senate, District 35 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Iowa Senate, District 35 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Iowa Senate District 35.
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 | Mike ZimmerDemocrat | Joe StuttingRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Raise it to around $15Official action · medium | No public position |
| Abortion | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Official action · medium | No public position |
| School choice | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsSaid · medium | No public position |
| Term limits | Yes, but longer limits that still allow long service, such as 12 years per chamberOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Ranked-choice voting | Let cities and counties choose it for local racesOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Childcare and pre-K | Offer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidSaid · medium | No public position |
| Paid leave | Create a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysOfficial action · medium | No public position |
Mike Zimmer
Democrat · IncumbentState Senator, Iowa Senate District 35
Mike Zimmer is the Democratic incumbent in Iowa Senate District 351, first elected in a January 2025 special election and sworn in February 10, 2025, now seeking a full term against Republican Joe Stutting123. He retired after 43 years in public education, including work as a teacher, high school principal, school board member and area education agency consultant, and he is the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee23.
Where they stand 10 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Minimum wageRaise it to around $15medium
Official action · medium confidencePaid leaveCreate a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysmedium
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)medium
Official action · medium confidence- Was listed as a sponsor of S.J.R. 2003, a proposed constitutional amendment making reproductive freedom, including abortion care, a fundamental right that the state may regulate only under limits set in the text. (2026) source
School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says to ensure public dollars go to public schools. source
- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 2244, which adds accountability rules for private schools in the education savings account program rather than ending it. (2026) source
- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 485, which adds requirements for nonpublic schools that receive education savings account tuition payments. (2025) source
Childcare and pre-KOffer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidmedium
Said · medium confidence- Said public schools should offer preschool for all 3 and 4 year olds, and proposed a sliding-scale childcare tax credit and raising childcare assistance eligibility to 200 percent of the poverty level. (2026-09-22) source
- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 353, which raises income eligibility for state child care assistance. (2025) source
- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 434, which creates a child care solutions fund. (2025) source
Term limitsYes, but longer limits that still allow long service, such as 12 years per chambermedium
Official action · medium confidence- Was listed as a sponsor of S.J.R. 10, a proposed constitutional amendment limiting service in the Iowa General Assembly to twelve consecutive years. (2025) source
Ranked-choice votingLet cities and counties choose it for local racesmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 561, which allows ranked choice and instant runoff voting in local government elections. (2025) source
GunsNo single answer fitslow
Official action · low confidence- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 2123, which requires a state system for unique serial numbers on firearms and unfinished frames and bars removing them. (2026) source
- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 2127, which requires firearm safety training for a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers. (2026) source
Politicians trading stocksNo single answer fitslow
Official action · low confidence- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 557, which bars lawmakers, legislative staff and their families from trading financial instruments based on nonpublic information from their official duties. (2025) source
Drug pricesNo single answer fitslow
Official action · low confidence- Was listed as a sponsor of S.F. 264, which creates a prescription drug affordability board to review high-cost drugs. (2025) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Business regulation, Healthcare, Immigration, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Joe Stutting
RepublicanSuperintendent, North Scott Community School District
Joe Stutting is the Republican candidate for Iowa Senate District 35, challenging Democratic incumbent Mike Zimmer1. He is superintendent of the North Scott Community School District and president of the School Administrators of Iowa, and he served in the National Guard and on a city council2. His campaign site lists lower taxes, education, workforce and local economy, and defending freedoms as his issues2.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
GunsNo single answer fitslow
Said · low confidence- His campaign site lists protecting the Second Amendment among his issues. source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, 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.