DES MOINES, Iowa — The second debate for Iowa’s open House seat quickly turned into an exchange of personal attacks over financial corruption and exploiting one another’s families during the campaign.
Republican land developer Joe Mitchell and Democratic state Rep. Lindsay James have been bitterly engaged in a heated race for the state’s 2nd Congressional District seat in northeastern Iowa, being vacated by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) in her bid for the Senate.
The first half of the hourlong debate, hosted by Iowa PBS in Des Moines on Thursday, was largely civil until James accused Mitchell of exploiting a photo of her 16-year-old daughter in an attack ad against her, citing the ad as an example of “what Joe Mitchell will do to win this seat.”
“I had to sit down with my 16-year-old daughter and say to her that she was included in an attack ad, and I had to show her this attack ad where she was pictured,” James said.
She went on to clarify that her daughter’s face was blurred in the photo but was “clearly identifiable.”
Mitchell denied the accusation and said James had also used a photo of his “entire family” in an ad as well.
“Don’t throw my family in here too,” Mitchell said.
The debate intensified again when James accused Mitchell of personally gaining from laws he helped pass during his time as a representative in the Iowa state House that incentivize building affordable housing in rural areas.
“He even used $1 million of taxpayer dollars to build a housing development that includes his own home,” James said. “Folks like, you know, Joe, see that the system is rigged and he’s rigging it for folks who are ultra wealthy and big corporations.”
Mitchell responded to James by saying he used the tax incentive to invest in affordable housing in the district, “which you hate because you hate rural Iowa.”
“I didn’t get a subsidized home. I bought it for fair market value from my partners in the deal,” Mitchell said. “So I did not utilize the tax credit to build my home. That’s ridiculous, and you know that. And you’re a liar.”
“People are so exhausted by politicians saying anything to get elected, who are rigging the system,” James said.
EL SAYED DODGES QUESTION ON WHETHER ISRAEL OR IRAN POSES GREATER THREAT TO US
“Which is you,” Mitchell shot back. “You’re talking about yourself. Look in the mirror.”
Early voting in Iowa starts Oct. 14.