Cindy Axne
Cindy Axne | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | David Young |
Personal details | |
Born | Cynthia Lynne Wadle April 20, 1965 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | John Axne |
Children | 2 |
Education | University of Iowa (BA) Northwestern University (MBA) |
Website | House website |
Cynthia Lynne Axne (/ˈæks.ni/;[1] née Wadle; born April 20, 1965) is an American politician who is the U.S. representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she narrowly defeated incumbent Republican David Young in the 2018 election. The district is anchored in the state capital, Des Moines; it includes much of the state's southwest quadrant, including Council Bluffs. Following the defeat of Abby Finkenauer and the retirement of Dave Loebsack from Congress, Axne became the sole Democrat in Iowa's delegation in 2021. She is the dean of Iowa's House delegation.
Early life and career
Axne was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1965, the daughter of Terry and Joanne Wadle.[2] She graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University.[3]
After graduating from college, Axne worked in leadership development and strategic planning for the Tribune Company in Chicago. From 2005 to 2014, she worked in Iowa state government on service delivery in over 20 state agencies in the executive branch.[3]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2018
In 2018, Axne ran for the United States House of Representatives in Iowa's 3rd congressional district.[4][5] She won the Democratic primary election with 57.91% of the vote[6] and defeated incumbent Representative David Young in the general election, becoming, with Abby Finkenauer, one of the first two women from Iowa elected to the House.[7] Young carried 15 of the district's 16 counties, but Axne won Polk County, the district's most populous county and home to Des Moines, by over 30,000 votes, far exceeding the overall margin of 8,000.[8]
2020
In 2020, Axne won the Democratic primary virtually unopposed, facing only write-in candidates.[9] She then defeated David Young in a rematch in the general election, with 48.9% of the vote to Young's 47.6%.[10]
2022
Axne is running for reelection.[11] She faces Republican nominee Zach Nunn in the November general election.
Tenure
Axne took office during the 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown and requested that her pay be withheld until the shutdown ended.[12] On January 30, 2019, she co-sponsored a bill, the Shutdown to End All Shutdowns (SEAS) Act, to prevent future federal government shutdowns from happening.[13]
In September 2021, Axne was accused of failing to disclose up to $645,000 in stock trades.[14] Reports also found that she had bought and sold stocks in companies she was tasked to oversee as a member of the House Financial Services Committee.[15]
As of October 2022, Axne has voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.[16]
Political positions
Inflation Reduction Act
In September 2022, Axne voted for the Inflation Reduction Act by proxy while on vacation in France.[17] In an August 12 letter to Cheryl L. Johnson, the clerk for the House of Representatives, Axne said she was "unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency" and authorized Representative Jennifer Wexton to cast her vote by proxy.[18]
Gun policy
In 2022, Axne voted for H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.[19][20]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
Electoral history

Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Cindy Axne | 32,070 | 57.91 | |
Democratic | Eddie J. Mauro | 14,582 | 26.33 | |
Democratic | Pete D'Alessandro | 8,595 | 15.52 | |
Democratic | Write-ins | 136 | 0.25 | |
Total votes | 55,383 | 100 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Cindy Axne | 175,642 | 49.3 | |
Republican | David Young (incumbent) | 167,933 | 47.1 | |
Libertarian | Bryan Holder | 7,267 | 2.0 | |
Legal Marijuana Now | Mark Elworth Jr. | 2,015 | 0.6 | |
Green | Paul Knupp | 1,888 | 0.5 | |
Independent | Joe Grandanette | 1,301 | 0.4 | |
N/A | Write-ins | 195 | 0.1 | |
Total votes | 356,241 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Cindy Axne (incumbent) | 76,681 | 99.2 | |
N/A | Write-ins | 623 | 0.8 | |
Total votes | 77,304 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Cindy Axne (incumbent) | 219,205 | 48.9 | |
Republican | David Young | 212,997 | 47.6 | |
Libertarian | Bryan Jack Holder | 15,361 | 3.4 | |
N/A | Write-ins | 384 | 0.1 | |
Total votes | 447,947 | 100.0 |
Personal life
Axne and her husband, John, operate a digital design firm. They have two sons and live in West Des Moines.[3] They are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines.
Axne is 6 feet (1.83 m) tall.[24]
See also
References
- ^ Axne, Cindy [@axne4congress] (September 16, 2020). "Protecting Iowans' health care should be a top priority for #IA03. That's not rhetoric, that's my record. In Congress, I've fought to lower costs of care, protect rural hospitals, expand telehealth, and I've NEVER voted to repeal protections for pre-existing conditions" (Tweet). Retrieved September 17, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Candidate Conversation - Cindy Axne (D)". Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales. August 31, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Three takeaways on Cindy Axne, 3rd District Democrat running for Congress". The Des Moines Register. May 1, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ Mike Brownlee (June 2, 2017). "Democrat Cindy Axne looking to unseat David Young in Iowa congressional race | Politics". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ William Petroski (May 26, 2018). "What are the key issues for Cindy Axne, Democratic candidate for the 3rd District?". The Des Moines Register.
- ^ "Iowa's 3rd District: Cindy Axne wins primary, will vie against GOP Rep. David Young". The Des Moines Register. June 5, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ "Iowa voters elect female governor, 2 female U.S. representatives, record number of female lawmakers". Des Moines Register. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
- ^ "IA District 03". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Primary Election - 2020 CANVASS SUMMARY" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "General Election - 2020 Canvass Summary" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State.
- ^ "Cindy Axne will run for reelection in Congress, closing the door on Iowa gubernatorial bid". The Des Moines Register.
- ^ Peterson, Mike (January 11, 2019). "Axne axes salary during shutdown". KMAland.com. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ Peterson, Mike (January 30, 2019). "Axne pushes government shutdown ban bill". KMAland.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne failed to disclose up to $645k in stock trades, government watchdog says". The Des Moines Register.
- ^ "Financial Services Dem Buys and Sells Finance Stocks". Sludge.
- ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ^ Price, Dave (September 26, 2022). "Insiders: Axne was in France during vote, Hinson opposes GOP governors flying migrants". who13.com. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ Morris, Kyle. Vulnerable Iowa Democrat vacationed in Europe as she voted by proxy for Inflation Reduction Act, IRS expansion, FOX News, September 21, 2022.
- ^ "House passes assault-style weapons ban | CNN Politics". CNN. July 29, 2022.
- ^ "H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 -- House Vote #410 -- Jul 29, 2022".
- ^ "Leadership: New Democrat Coalition". newdemocratcoalition.house.gov. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ "June 5, 2018 Primary Election". Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
- ^ "Primary Election June 2, 2020 | United States Representative District 3 – Democratic". Iowa Secretary of State.
- ^ "Cindy Axne tells how she fought off would-be rapist in speech to Des Moines business leaders". The Des Moines Register. October 2, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
A former West Des Moines Valley basketball player who stands six feet tall...
External links

- Congresswoman Cindy Axne official U.S. House website
- Cindy Axne for Congress campaign website
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- Northwestern University alumni
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