Born in Ames and raised in Sioux City, J.D. Scholten is a 5th generation Iowan. J.D. served as the 2018 Democratic nominee against Rep. Steve King in Iowa’s 4th District, earning nationwide attention for his people-powered grassroots campaign that fell just 3 points short in a district that Donald Trump won by 27 points in 2016. He played baseball at Morningside College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After college, he pursued a professional baseball career and pitched in 7 different countries. He then worked as a paralegal, specializing in Intellectual Property and trials law, but found his true passion in helping others through pro-bono cases. He later launched his congressional campaign and continues to be a powerful voice for rural, working, and underserved communities in Iowa.
Meet J.D. ScholtenThe 4th Congressional District is a large sprawling scenic district covering North West and North Central Iowa. Made up of 39 counties, the district is larger than the smallest 115 congressional districts in the country. It includes Sioux City, Ames, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Boone, and Carroll. The 4th District includes many rural communities and is one of the biggest agriculture producers in the country.