Jim Carlin (born October 19, 1962) is a Republican attorney and former Iowa State Senator from Sergeant Bluff. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2017 and in the Iowa State Senate representing District 3 from December 2017 to January 2023. During his tenure, he helped pass the fetal heartbeat bill and introduced legislation requiring active shooter training in schools. An Army veteran and attorney who specializes in malpractice and injury litigation, Carlin ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2022 against incumbent Chuck Grassley, receiving 26.5% in the Republican primary. Carlin founded the Iowa Liberty Network, which works to elect conservative candidates to office.
Carlin was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and earned a B.A. in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a J.D. from Marquette University Law School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1985. After moving to northwest Iowa, he founded the Carlin Law Office specializing in malpractice and injury litigation. He was elected to the Iowa House in 2017 representing the 6th district after incumbent Ron Jorgensen retired. He then won a special election to the Iowa Senate District 3 in December 2017 with 54.5% of the vote and served through 2023. He founded the Iowa Liberty Network, a group working to elect conservative candidates.
Believes government has become corrupted by corporate interests and insider dealings
Carlin criticizes what he calls the 'swamp' in Washington and emphasizes holding powerful interests accountable.
Voting History: Carlin has been a vocal critic of Ernst, arguing she has joined the 'swamp' rather than delivering on her promises to shake up Washington.
Strong pro-life stance
During his Iowa Senate service, Carlin helped pass the fetal heartbeat bill and introduced legislation to require individuals use public school bathrooms based on biological sex.
Voting History: Co-sponsored pro-life and religious liberty measures in Iowa Senate
Veteran-focused policies
As an Army veteran (1983-1985), Carlin emphasizes veterans' issues.
Opposes executive overreach
Like other primary candidates, Carlin emphasizes limiting presidential authority beyond Constitutional bounds.
Carlin served in the Iowa House (2017) and Iowa Senate (2017-2023). His voting record reflects conservative positions on social issues (pro-life, religious liberty) and fiscal matters. He has been consistently opposed to what he views as government overreach and insider politics.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fetal Heartbeat Bill | Abortion ban after fetal heartbeat detection | Yea | 2019-05-01 | Carlin co-sponsored legislation that became law banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected in Iowa |
| Bathroom Bill | Require use of bathrooms based on biological sex | Yea | 2019-01-01 | Carlin introduced legislation requiring individuals to use bathrooms consistent with biological sex |
| Active Shooter Training | Implement active shooter training in all Iowa schools | Yea | 2019-01-01 | Carlin introduced measures to require active shooter response training in schools |
Carlin's campaign messaging emphasizes fighting against the 'swamp' and establishment, positioning himself as an outsider despite previous runs for office.
Carlin's 2022 primary bid was a failure and he lacks political viability
Ernst's campaign manager responded to Carlin's 2025 announcement by noting his failed 2022 challenge to Grassley
Carlin and other challengers lack the political experience to win the general election
Hinson, as the GOP frontrunner backed by Trump and national Republican leaders, implicitly challenges Carlin's viability as a general election candidate