IA-02 DEBATE PREVIEW: What to Watch for at Tonight’s Debate Between Mom & Chaplain Lindsay James vs. Lobbyist Joe Mitchell

Mitchell has spent his career rigging the system for himself and his special interests donors while Iowans struggle with rising costs, and that record will be on full display. 

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Toxic Record Mitchell Will Be Forced to Defend

• Joe Mitchell entered the revolving door after leaving office. He worked for a “multi-client lobbying firm” and “founded a lobby group for Iowa real estate developers” as he “built a lobbying operation.”
• Mitchell used his positions to enrich himself. He voted to grow a tax credit that his real estate empire later cashed in on, collecting over $2.5 million in tax credits. Mitchell also took a million in tax credits that he used to build a development including his own home.
• Mitchell is so out of touch he said it’s “debatable” that costs are rising.
• Mitchell backs the bill gutting health care for 25,100 people in IA-02, hiking premiums for 26,000 people, and forcing layoffs and health care clinic closures across IA-02, including clinics in Traer and Mason City.
• Mitchell backs Trump’s reckless tariffs that are raising costs of groceries and everyday goods while hurting farmers, closing markets, and increasing input costs.
• Mitchell backs the Iran War, even as Iowa service members were killed and Iowans are footing the bill for higher gas and diesel prices and billions of dollars sent overseas.
• Mitchell spent nearly $90,000 partying at Mar-a-Lago, “top[ping] that of any other Republican running for Congress this cycle.”

DCCC Spokesperson Katie Smith:
“At tonight’s debate, lobbyist Joe Mitchell will be forced to defend his record of enriching himself and siding with the special interests even as they raise costs on Iowans. No matter how many lies Mitchell tells, the facts are clear: he is part of the broken system that failed Iowans and he won’t fight for families because he’s focused on himself.”