One candidate is tracked for Iowa House District 71 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Sam Wooden. Candidate information follows official Dubuque County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Sam Wooden (Democratic) is on the November 3 ballot for Iowa House District 71. Not on the November ballot: Lindsay James, the sitting member per the roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the June 2 primary; No Party candidates qualify by nominating petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate list, as read September 11, 2026. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot. Sam Wooden is the only candidate on the ballot for this seat; unopposed candidates still appear on Iowa ballots, so the race is on the November 3 ballot but is not contested.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.
Iowa › Dubuque County › Iowa House District 71
Democratic
Sam Wooden is a Dubuque trial attorney who has practiced law for 16 years and is an adjunct professor of criminal law at Loras College, according to the Telegraph Herald. He is running for the open Iowa House District 71 seat left by Rep. Lindsay James, who is running for Congress. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's certified candidate list is the only verifiable source for Sam Wooden.
Who is running for Iowa House District 71 in 2026?
One candidate is tracked for Iowa House District 71 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Sam Wooden. Candidate information follows official Dubuque County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Iowa House District 71 election in Iowa?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Iowa are on the Iowa election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Dubuque County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Dubuque County and state election office filings, last verified October 2, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Iowa election office, or see the full Dubuque County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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