Who is running for State House District 79 in Iowa in 2026?

Barclay Woerner (R), Tracy Ehlert (D)

When is the Iowa 2026 general election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Iowa › Races › State House District 79

State House District 79 — Iowa 2026

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot (official Iowa Secretary of State list, as of October 29, 2026). Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

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Candidates

BBarclay WoernerRepublican

Candidate for State Representative, District 79 (Republican).

LifeAFamilyBReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentBLimited gov’tBFiscalB

IRTL 2026 A+ questionnaire list, NRA grade B and iVoterGuide 'Conservative' rating.

Life: Listed on Iowa Right to Life's 2026 questionnaire A+ list (answered yes to all pro-life questions; IRTL notes this is not an endorsement).
Family: No recorded votes found; Republican nominee suggests support for parental rights and traditional family positions.
Religious liberty: No direct position found; Republican nominee suggests support for religious liberty.
2nd Amendment: NRA-PVF 2026 grade B.
Limited gov’t: No recorded votes found; Republican nominee suggests support for school choice and limited government.
Fiscal: No recorded votes found; Republican nominee suggests support for lower taxes.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Ballotpedia

FTracy EhlertDemocratic

Incumbent state representative for District 79; Democratic.

LifeFFamilyFReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tDFiscalF

Incumbent voted no on HF 732, SF 538, HF 2416, SF 418, HF 68, HF 756 and both flat-tax bills; endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa PAC.

Life: Voted no on HF 732 (2023 heartbeat abortion law); endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa PAC in 2026.
Family: Voted no on SF 538 (2023), HF 2416 (2022) and SF 418 (2025).
Religious liberty: No position found on religious liberty.
2nd Amendment: NRA-PVF 2026 grade F; voted no on HF 756 (2021 permitless carry).
Limited gov’t: Voted no on HF 68 (2023 Students First school-choice accounts).
Fiscal: Voted no on HF 2317 (2022) and SF 2442 (2024) flat income tax bills.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Ballotpedia

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