Who is running for State Senate District 49 in Iowa in 2026?

Cynthia Mensendick (R), Cindy Winckler (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 49

State Senate District 49 — 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

BCynthia MensendickRepublican

Candidate for State Senator, District 49 (Republican).

LifeAFamilyBReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentBLimited gov’tBFiscalB

Answered yes to all three Iowa Right to Life 2026 questionnaire questions (A+ list, not an endorsement); other values based on Republican affiliation.

Life: On Iowa Right to Life's 2026 questionnaire A+ list (answered yes to all three pro-life questions; IRTL notes this is not an endorsement).
Family: No explicit position found beyond Republican affiliation.
Religious liberty: No direct votes or statements found; Republican affiliation suggests support.
2nd Amendment: No NRA rating (questionnaire not returned) and no votes found; Republican affiliation suggests support.
Limited gov’t: No explicit position found beyond Republican affiliation.
Fiscal: No explicit position found beyond Republican affiliation.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Ballotpedia

FCindy WincklerDemocratic

Incumbent state senator, District 49; Democrat; previously served in the Iowa House.

LifeFFamilyFReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tDFiscalD

Voted against the 2023 heartbeat law, permitless carry, SF 538, SF 496, SF 418, Students First school choice and both flat-tax bills; NRA-PVF grade F.

Life: Voted N on HF 732 (2023 heartbeat abortion law).
Family: Voted N on HF 2416 (girls' sports), SF 538 (minor gender-transition ban), SF 496 (parental rights) and SF 418 (gender identity removed from Civil Rights Act).
Religious liberty: No position found on religious liberty.
2nd Amendment: Voted N on HF 756 (permitless carry); NRA-PVF 2026 grade F; 31.0% vote index on the Iowa Firearms Coalition scorecard.
Limited gov’t: Voted N on HF 68 (Students First school-choice accounts) and N on HF 856 (DEI ban).
Fiscal: Voted N 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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