Dave Bushaw, the Independent candidate for United States Congress running in Iowa’s 2nd District, agreed to common ground debate proposals introduced earlier this month by his Republican opponent, Joe Mitchell.
Bushaw joins Mitchell in calling for multiple congressional debates to be scheduled before early voting starts, and that all four candidates (including Libertarian candidate Rick Stewart) should be included on the debate stage.
“I agree with Joe, folks,” Bushaw says. “Iowa voters deserve debates before they cast their ballots, and every candidate who qualifies for the ballot deserves a place on the debate stage – it’s common sense.”
“We may disagree on policy,” Bushaw continues,” but we should all agree that candidates must defend their ideas before the voters. If they won’t debate, how can voters know they’ll stand up to political insiders and powerful lobbyists in Washington?”
Bushaw says he’s met with both Republican Joe Mitchell and Libertarian Rick Stewart multiple times, and all three are in agreement that debates must include all four candidates that have qualified for the ballot. Bushaw emphasizes that his campaign has made attempts to contact Democratic Party candidate, Lindsay James, but says there’s been no response.
“I know Lindsay’s campaign has received our requests for a meeting. They have my personal phone number and email address,” says Bushaw. “The ball is in your court, Lindsay James. This is a 4-person race. Despite our differences, we three are all united on this issue. Will you join us three and give Iowa voters the debates they deserve?”
Elections will be held on November 3rd, 2026. Information on how to vote and to check if you are registered can be found at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections-voting.
