Who is running for State Senate District 39 in Iowa in 2026?

Edward Bernie Hayes (R), Liz Bennett (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 Senate District 39

State Senate District 39 — 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

BEdward Bernie HayesRepublican

Candidate for State Senator, District 39 (Republican).

LifeBFamilyBReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentBLimited gov’tBFiscalB

Non-incumbent Republican with no recorded votes or issue ratings found; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.

Life: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
Family: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
Religious liberty: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
2nd Amendment: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
Limited gov’t: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
Fiscal: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.

Sources: [1]

Ballotpedia

FLiz BennettDemocratic

Incumbent state senator, District 39; Democratic.

LifeFFamilyFReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tDFiscalD

Voted no on the HF 732 heartbeat law, voted against gender/parental-rights bills and rated F by NRA-PVF (2026). iVoterGuide rates Verified Liberal.

Life: Voted no on HF 732 (2023 heartbeat law).
Family: Voted no on SF 538 (2023 ban on gender-transition procedures for minors), SF 496 (2023 parental rights/curriculum), HF 2416 (2022 girls' sports) and SF 418 (2025 removing gender identity from the Civil Rights Act).
Religious liberty: No position found on religious liberty.
2nd Amendment: Rated F by NRA-PVF (2026); voted no on HF 756 (2021 permitless carry); Iowa Firearms Coalition vote index 33.2%.
Limited gov’t: Voted no on HF 68 (2023 Students First school-choice accounts) and HF 856 (2025 DEI ban).
Fiscal: Voted no on HF 2317 (2022 flat income tax) and SF 2442 (2024 flat income tax).

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

Ballotpedia

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