Iowa Legislator J.D. Scholten Announces Retirement

Scholten, a Democrat from Sioux City, will not seek re-election after one term in the state legislature.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Rep. J.D. Scholten, a Democrat from Sioux City, Iowa, announced this week that he will not seek another term in the Iowa Legislature. Scholten has served one term in the state legislature since being elected in 2024.

Why it matters

Scholten's decision not to run for re-election creates an open seat in the Iowa Legislature, which could impact the balance of power in the state government. As a Democrat, Scholten's retirement could make the district more competitive in the next election cycle.

The details

Scholten, who is 38 years old, cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason for his decision not to run for re-election. He has served on several committees during his time in the legislature and has been a vocal advocate for issues important to his constituents in Sioux City.

  • Scholten was first elected to the Iowa Legislature in 2024.
  • Scholten announced his decision not to seek re-election in February 2026.

The players

J.D. Scholten

A 38-year-old Democrat who has served one term in the Iowa Legislature representing Sioux City.

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What’s next

The Iowa Democratic and Republican parties will now work to recruit and field candidates to run for Scholten's open seat in the next election cycle.

The takeaway

Scholten's retirement creates an opportunity for both parties to compete for a state legislative seat in Sioux City, which could impact the balance of power in the Iowa Legislature.