Amy Sinclair
Amy Beth Sinclair (née Jellison)(born December 10, 1975) is an American politician serving as the president of the Iowa Senate since 2023, having represented the 12th district since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, she briefly served as the acting lieutenant governor of Iowa in 2024 following the resignation of Adam Gregg.
Amy Sinclair | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2021 | |
| Lieutenant Governor of Iowa | |
| Acting September 3, 2024 – December 16, 2024 | |
| Governor | Kim Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Adam Gregg |
| Succeeded by | Chris Cournoyer |
| President of the Iowa Senate | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jake Chapman |
| Member of the Iowa Senate from the 12th district | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Pam Jochum |
| Constituency | 14th district (2013–2023) 12th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 10, 1975 Unionville, Missouri, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | John Sinclair (divorced) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Indian Hills Community College (AA) |
| Website | State Senate website |
Amy Beth Sinclair (née Jellison)[1](born December 10, 1975)[2] is an American politician serving as the president of the Iowa Senate since 2023, having represented the 12th district since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, she briefly served as the acting lieutenant governor of Iowa in 2024 following the resignation of Adam Gregg.[2]
Career
[edit]Before her election to the Iowa Senate, she served two terms on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors.[3]
Iowa Senate
[edit]In June 2016, Sinclair served on the following committees: Commerce, Education, and Judiciary, Government Oversight, and Rules and Administration.[2] She also serves on the Legislative Council and the Violence in Iowa Study Committee.[2]
In 2025, Sinclair served as Chair of the Rules and Administration Committee.[4]
Senate leadership
[edit]In 2017, she served, along with Senators Michael Breitbach, Randy Feenstra, Dan Zumbach, as Assistant Majority Leader.[5] Her son, Carter, was granted the opportunity to lead the chamber in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on March 20, 2017.[6]
She then served as Senate Majority Whip from March 15, 2018 until her accession to the Senate Presidency in 2023.[7][8][9][10][11][12]
In November 2022, after Jake Chapman lost his bid for re-election, his position as President of the Senate was left vacant.[13] Senator Jack Whitver nominated Sinclair for the position of President of the Senate. Sinclair was elected to that position by the Iowa Senate unanimously on January 9, 2023, and then was sworn in by Chief Justice Susan Christensen.[14][15]
At the beginning of the 91st General Assembly, Senator Jason Schultz nominated Sinclair for President of the Senate and she was unanimously re-elected to that position on January 13, 2025.[16] Iowa District Court Judge Dustria Relph swore her into office.[16]
Lieutenant Governor
[edit]In September 2024, following the resignation of Adam Gregg as lieutenant governor of Iowa, Sinclair succeeded to the position of acting lieutenant governor and remained in her acting position until Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Chris Cournoyer in December 2024.[17][18]
Sinclair won her senate elections in 2012 with 58% of the vote,[19] 2016 with 65% of the vote,[20] 2020 with 78% of the vote[21] and 2024 with 66% of the vote.[22] She ran unopposed in her 2020 election.[21]
Hoover Award
[edit]In March 2023, Sinclair was awarded the Herbert Hoover Award.[23]
Personal life
[edit]Sinclair was married to John Boyd Sinclair III, and they have three sons together.[2] She currently resides in Allerton, Iowa.[2]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Amy Sinclair | 23,075 | 66.7% | ||
| Democratic | Nancy Loew | 9,682 | 27.98% | ||
| Majority | 23,075 | 66.7% | |||
| Turnout | 34,592 | 100% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Amy Sinclair | 24,623 | 78.68% | ||
| Write-ins | 6,667 | 21.3% | |||
| Majority | 24,623 | 78.68% | |||
| Turnout | 31,294 | 100% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Amy Sinclair | 19,482 | 65.88% | ||
| Independent | Ruth Smith | 6,755 | 22.84% | ||
| Majority | 19,482 | 65.88% | |||
| Turnout | 26,237 | 100% | |||
| Republican gain from Independent | Swing | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Amy Sinclair | 17,141 | 58.17% | ||
| Democratic | Dick Schrad | 11,011 | 37.36% | ||
| Majority | 17,141 | 58.17% | |||
| Turnout | 28,152 | 100% | |||
References
[edit]- ^ "Elevance Health PAC Contributions to State Candidates and Committees" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "State Senator". Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ "Sinclair announces Iowa Senate District 14 bid". Oskaloosa News. December 8, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, 1-13-2025" (PDF). p. 50. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2017 Regular Session" (PDF). p. 5. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, March 20, 2023" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2018" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2019" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2020" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2021" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2022" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Sen. Amy Sinclair takes over as Iowa Senate president". Iowa Capital Dispatch. November 10, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Iowa Secretary of State Winners List
- ^ "Journal of the Senate January 9, 2023" (PDF). p. 22. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Sen. Amy Sinclair takes over as Iowa Senate president". Iowa Capital Dispatch. November 10, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "Journal of the Senate, 1-13-2025" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Fingerhut, Hannah (September 3, 2024). "Iowa lieutenant governor resigns to take over state lobby group representing bankers". ABC News.
- ^ "Sen. Chris Cournoyer appointed Iowa lieutenant governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "2012 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b "2016 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c "2020 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b "2024 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Journal of the Senate January 9, 2023" (PDF). p. 729. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
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