Iowa — 2nd District

Republican State Rep. Shannon Lundgren is ending her campaign for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.

Lundgren, of Peosta, said she will instead seek reelection to her seat in the Iowa House, where she represents District 65 in Dubuque County.

"After careful consideration and discussion with my family, I have made the difficult but clear decision to suspend my campaign for Congress," Lundgren said in a statement. "Serving the people of Dubuque County in the Iowa House has been the honor of my lifetime. I remain deeply committed to fighting for Iowa values — strong families, small businesses, fiscal responsibility and putting Iowa first — at the state level where I can continue delivering real results for our communities right here at home."

Lundgren jumped into the Republican primary for Congress in September, emphasizing her early support for President Donald Trump in 2015 and during the 2024 GOP caucuses.

The race had drawn several candidates as incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson runs for U.S. Senate to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst.

Lundgren's decision to drop out follows that of former U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, who suspended his campaign in October.

Lundgren's exit from the race leaves former state Rep. Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake and state Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, as the two Republicans competing in the GOP primary.

Mitchell reported raising more than $407,000 as of Sept. 30 and McClintock raised $14,000. Mitchell has claimed another $300,000 in the final quarter of the year. Reports are due to be filed by the end of the month.

"Shannon is a good friend I have known for years and I sincerely appreciate her continued service to Iowa," Mitchell said in a statement. "She has built a strong reputation for serving the people in her community, and I look forward to working alongside her to help strong candidates win up and down the ballot in 2026. We are focused on the job ahead, taking nothing for granted and working hard to unite the Republican Party and earn support across northeast Iowa."

The 2nd Congressional District covers 22 counties in northeast Iowa, including the cities of Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Waterloo and Mason City.

State Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque; former Cedar Rapids nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Ball; former Kirkwood Community College Dean of Nursing Kathy Dolter; and hotel manager Guy Morgan are competing for the Democratic nomination.

Community organizer Dave Bushaw is running as an independent.