Davenport Voters to Choose District 97 Representative
Adam Peters and Charlie Helmick face off in the general election for the Iowa House seat on November 3, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Davenport voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect a new representative for Iowa House District 97. The race features Democrat Adam Peters and Republican Charlie Helmick competing to succeed incumbent Ken Croken.
Why it matters
The outcome of this race will determine who represents central and eastern Davenport in the Iowa House starting in January 2027. This transition follows the departure of the current representative whose term is coming to an end.
Adam Peters won the Democratic primary in June 2026, while the state of Iowa maintains a $7.25 minimum wage that has remained unchanged since 2008. The next state representative will take office in January 2027 amid a projected $1.1 billion state budget shortfall.
The players
Adam Peters
The 38-year-old Democratic candidate secured his spot on the general election ballot by winning the primary election in June 2026.
Charlie Helmick
The 63-year-old Republican candidate moved to Davenport from Illinois in 2025 to run for this legislative seat.
Ken Croken
He is the incumbent State Representative for Iowa House District 97 whose term is ending after he was defeated in a primary election.
The details
District 97 encompasses areas of central and eastern Davenport, where voters will decide between the two candidates on the November ballot. Charlie Helmick, who moved to Davenport from Illinois in 2025, joins Peters as the primary contenders for the seat vacated following a primary defeat.
Timeline
June 2026: Adam Peters won the Democratic primary.
November 3, 2026: Iowa general election occurs.
January 2027: New representative assumes office.
Political Context
The race is defined by a sharp divide over the future of Iowa's fiscal policy, with the candidates needing to address the state's projected $1.1 billion budget shortfall. Opposition groups have criticized the lack of movement on the state's $7.25 minimum wage since 2008 as a major point of contention for local voters.
Residents in central and eastern Davenport will decide who represents their interests in the state house regarding critical fiscal issues like the $1.1 billion budget shortfall. The winning candidate will cast votes in 2027 that could impact state-level regulations and regional economic policies.
The takeaway
This election serves as a pivotal moment for Davenport as voters determine who will manage the state's significant fiscal challenges in the coming term. Voters should ensure they are registered and aware of their polling location ahead of the November 3 general election.
What happens next
The winner of the general election on November 3, 2026, is scheduled to be sworn into office in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local ballot initiatives and voting procedures on the Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Muscatine Journal.
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Should the state address affordability primarily by cutting taxes rather than increasing public spending?
