Sioux City State Rep. J.D. Scholten Retires from Politics

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

J.D. Scholten, the two-term Democratic state representative from Sioux City, Iowa, has announced that he will not be seeking reelection this fall. Scholten, who previously played professional baseball, is now looking to pursue new opportunities outside of politics.

Why it matters

Scholten's retirement marks the end of his political career after serving two terms in the Iowa state legislature. His decision not to run again will open up the seat for a new candidate in the upcoming election, potentially shifting the balance of power in the state government.

The details

Scholten, who played in the minor leagues for several years, was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2022. During his time in office, he has been a vocal advocate for issues such as education funding and agricultural policy. In his announcement, Scholten cited a desire to explore new challenges and opportunities outside of politics as the primary reason for his retirement.

• Scholten was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2022.
• Scholten announced his retirement from politics on February 13, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Iowa Democratic and Republican parties will now begin the process of selecting candidates to run for Scholten's open seat in the upcoming election.