J.D. Scholten
...candidate for U.S. Senate is our guest today
Our Monday Podcast guest will be J.D. Scholten, Democratic primary candidate for United States Senate. Our conversation begins at noon central time. Subscriberes are invited to join the call.
Let’s hear his pitch.
J.D. Scholten (James Dennis Scholten, b. March 4, 1980) is a sixth‑generation Iowan—a paralegal by trade, former minor‑league pitcher (you might catch his jersey in the Baseball Hall of Fame!), and since 2023 the Democratic state representative for Iowa’s 1st District. He first burst onto the national scene as the underdog Democratic nominee in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District races of 2018 and 2020 before turning his sights to the U.S. Senate in 2026
He’ll be vying for the Democratic nomination against two fellow declared candidates:
Nathan Sage, a Marine veteran, mechanic, and market director at KNIA radio out of Mason City. Sage brings a working‑class, blue‑collar perspective—and a trailer‑park origin story—to his campaign for the seat held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst Ballotpedia.
Zach Wahls, a Coralville state senator since 2019 (and former Senate Minority Leader), who officially jumped into the race in mid‑June 2025. He’s best known for his advocacy on LGBTQ rights and clean‑water issues KCCI.
Okoboji
Learn about the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat coming up September 28-October 1: Three big announcements this week:
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
The Sunday Roundup of columns published yesterday is full of horrifying stories, and a few uplifting essays. This is commentary written by professional writers, for readers interested in the state. Check out yesterday’s compilation:
