About the office
Iowa House members help write and vote on state laws as part of the General Assembly; the House has 100 members, one from each House district.
Term: 2 years.
Pay: $25,000 annual salary, plus a daily allowance during the legislative session and a monthly expense allowance (Iowa Code 2.10).
Surveillance & privacy
No sourced statement or vote on surveillance found yet (license plate readers, cameras, facial recognition, drones, data retention).
Quick facts
- Office: State Representative District 79
- Incumbent: No
- Opponent: D Tracy Ehlert (Democratic, incumbent)
- Raised this cycle: $2,345; all years on file: $10,180
At a glance
Recent statement
Campaign site says he supports training for frontline workers to recognize and respond to human trafficking.
Biography
The race
- Barclay Woerner is the Republican candidate for State Representative District 79 in the Nov. 3, 2026, Linn County general election.
- They are not the current officeholder.
- Also on the ballot for this office: Tracy Ehlert (Democratic, incumbent).
Background
- Campaign site describes his background as retail and business management, married 32 years, father of five.
Public life
- Woerner ran for an at-large seat on the Cedar Rapids school board in the November 2023 election and was not elected.
- In the Cedar Rapids schools at-large race, Woerner received 4,834 votes.
- In a 2024 candidate Q&A, he cited 30+ years of managerial experience in retail and logistics.
- The podcast description says he began by attending school board meetings and asking how decisions were made.
Show 1 more
- His campaign Facebook page identifies him as running to improve opportunities in western Cedar Rapids.
Positions & statements
- In a 2024 candidate Q&A, he named property tax reform as his top policy priority.
- In a 2024 candidate Q&A, he said Iowa should wait before changing the fetal heartbeat law, noting its exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.
- Campaign site says he supports training for frontline workers to recognize and respond to human trafficking.
- Campaign site calls for transparency about the electricity and water use and costs of data centers in Cedar Rapids.
Show 9 more
- Campaign site says schools and government entities should post financial reports, contracts and meeting minutes online.
- Campaign site says teachers should have freedom to use professional judgment and parents should have easy access to class materials.
- Campaign site calls for independent research into Iowa's cancer rates and for more competition and flexibility in mental health care.
- Campaign site describes property taxes as an increasing burden and calls for more transparency and a taxpayer voice in increases.
- Posted criticizing his opponent's debate answer, saying her response to solving the problems facing Iowa families was 'more money, more money, more money.'.
- Said Iowa should strengthen protections for private property owners so eminent domain is used only for legitimate public use such as roads, infrastructure and utilities, not for private gain.
- Said Iowa should reduce unnecessary barriers to housing construction and expand the skilled-trades workforce so homes and infrastructure can be built.
- Said keeping young people in Iowa requires good-paying jobs, expanding career and technical education, apprenticeships and the skilled trades.
- Said Iowa can improve water quality by coordinating existing organizations, farmers, communities and businesses rather than adding government programs or bureaucracy.
Campaign money
- Barclay Woerner's campaign committee is Barclay Woerner for Iowa House (IECDB id SWGA50999).
- The committee has reported $10,180.14 in contributions across 67 contributions in filings through June 29, 2026, $2,344.99 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
- The largest individual donors include Keith Smith ($941.70), Richard Hoelz ($700.00), Dean Soenksen ($650.00), Curt Hancock ($450.00), Trisha Maloney ($400.00), Joe Golding ($350.00), Un-itemized ($340.00), Maureen Smalley ($300.00), Barbara Hames ($250.00).
- Contributions under the Woerner name among the top donors total $358.75.
Show 4 more
- PAC and other committee contributions total $500.00, led by Iowa PAC for Life.
- Party committee contributions total $1,928.00, led by Linn County Republican Central Committee.
- Reported expenditures total $8,463.43 across 67 payments, $930.03 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
- The largest outside payees include Tru Art ($2,959.27), victorystore.com ($1,085.34), L&A Online Sales LLC ($777.50), Rapids Reproduction Inc ($481.50), Linn County Republican Central Committee ($450.00), Staples ($380.00), Big Cat Custom Screen Printing ($321.00), Scores on 33rd ($244.70), Meta ($209.00), Amazon.com ($195.79).
In the news
- CBS2 Iowa profiled Woerner and Rep. Tracy Ehlert as the 2024 candidates in Iowa House District 79.
- KCRG's November 2026 ballot guide lists Woerner (R) against Tracy Ehlert (D, incumbent) for Iowa House District 79.
- The Gazette published a 2026 candidate profile of Woerner, who has not previously held office and is challenging Rep. Tracy Ehlert.
- Woerner appeared as a guest on The Hope Podcast, an episode about faith in local government.
Where they stand
Data centers1 statement
Campaign site calls for transparency about the electricity and water use and costs of data centers in Cedar Rapids.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
None found.
Property taxes & budget2 statements
Campaign site describes property taxes as an increasing burden and calls for more transparency and a taxpayer voice in increases.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
In a 2024 candidate Q&A, he named property tax reform as his top policy priority.newsCBS2 Iowa · Oct. 21, 2024
None found.
Government efficiency & transparency2 statements
Campaign site calls for transparency about the electricity and water use and costs of data centers in Cedar Rapids.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
Campaign site describes property taxes as an increasing burden and calls for more transparency and a taxpayer voice in increases.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
None found.
Mental health1 statement
Campaign site calls for independent research into Iowa's cancer rates and for more competition and flexibility in mental health care.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
None found.
Abortion1 statement
In a 2024 candidate Q&A, he said Iowa should wait before changing the fetal heartbeat law, noting its exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.newsCBS2 Iowa · Oct. 21, 2024
None found.
Health care1 statement
Campaign site calls for independent research into Iowa's cancer rates and for more competition and flexibility in mental health care.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
None found.
Jobs & economy2 statements
Said Iowa should reduce unnecessary barriers to housing construction and expand the skilled-trades workforce so homes and infrastructure can be built.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
Said keeping young people in Iowa requires good-paying jobs, expanding career and technical education, apprenticeships and the skilled trades.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
None found.
Housing1 statement
Said Iowa should reduce unnecessary barriers to housing construction and expand the skilled-trades workforce so homes and infrastructure can be built.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
None found.
Roads & infrastructure2 statements
Said Iowa should strengthen protections for private property owners so eminent domain is used only for legitimate public use such as roads, infrastructure and utilities, not for private gain.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
Said Iowa should reduce unnecessary barriers to housing construction and expand the skilled-trades workforce so homes and infrastructure can be built.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
None found.
Eminent domain1 statement
Said Iowa should strengthen protections for private property owners so eminent domain is used only for legitimate public use such as roads, infrastructure and utilities, not for private gain.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
None found.
Water & environment1 statement
Said Iowa can improve water quality by coordinating existing organizations, farmers, communities and businesses rather than adding government programs or bureaucracy.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
None found.
Schools & education3 statements3 other records
Campaign site says schools and government entities should post financial reports, contracts and meeting minutes online.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
Campaign site says teachers should have freedom to use professional judgment and parents should have easy access to class materials.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
Said keeping young people in Iowa requires good-paying jobs, expanding career and technical education, apprenticeships and the skilled trades.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026
The podcast description says he began by attending school board meetings and asking how decisions were made.YouTube (IOWA LEO, The Hope Podcast) · Oct. 17, 2026
Woerner ran for an at-large seat on the Cedar Rapids school board in the November 2023 election and was not elected.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 8, 2023
In the Cedar Rapids schools at-large race, Woerner received 4,834 votes.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 8, 2023
The race
RBarclay WoernerThis profile- Tracy Ehlert
Campaign money
- Campaign committee: Barclay Woerner for Iowa House (IECDB id SWGA50999).officialIowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (committees) · June 29, 2026
Filings through June 29, 2026
| Contributions since Jan. 1, 2025 | $2,345 |
|---|---|
| Contributions, all years on file | $10,180 |
| Individuals and other organizations | $7,752 |
| PACs and other committees | $500 |
| Party committees | $1,928 |
| Spending since Jan. 1, 2025 | $930 |
| Spending, all years on file | $8,463 |
Largest contributors
Public record
- 2026The podcast description says he began by attending school board meetings and asking how decisions were made.YouTube (IOWA LEO, The Hope Podcast) · Oct. 17, 2026Schools & education
- 2023Woerner ran for an at-large seat on the Cedar Rapids school board in the November 2023 election and was not elected.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 8, 2023Schools & educationIn the Cedar Rapids schools at-large race, Woerner received 4,834 votes.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 8, 2023Schools & education
Positions & statements
11 statements are grouped above under Data centers, Property taxes & budget, Government efficiency & transparency, Mental health, Abortion, Health care, Jobs & economy, Housing, Roads & infrastructure, Eminent domain, Water & environment, Schools & education. Also said:
- Campaign site says he supports training for frontline workers to recognize and respond to human trafficking.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026
- Posted criticizing his opponent's debate answer, saying her response to solving the problems facing Iowa families was 'more money, more money, more money.'Facebook · Oct. 17, 2026
Background
- 2026Campaign site describes his background as retail and business management, married 32 years, father of five.campaignBarclay Woerner campaign site · Oct. 17, 2026His campaign Facebook page identifies him as running to improve opportunities in western Cedar Rapids.Facebook · Oct. 17, 2026
- 2024In a 2024 candidate Q&A, he cited 30+ years of managerial experience in retail and logistics.newsCBS2 Iowa · Oct. 21, 2024
In the news
- CBS2 Iowa profiled Woerner and Rep. Tracy Ehlert as the 2024 candidates in Iowa House District 79.newsCBS2 Iowa · Oct. 21, 2024
- KCRG's November 2026 ballot guide lists Woerner (R) against Tracy Ehlert (D, incumbent) for Iowa House District 79.newsKCRG · Oct. 14, 2026
- The Gazette published a 2026 candidate profile of Woerner, who has not previously held office and is challenging Rep. Tracy Ehlert.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 15, 2026
- Woerner appeared as a guest on The Hope Podcast, an episode about faith in local government.YouTube (IOWA LEO, The Hope Podcast) · Oct. 17, 2026