Amy Sinclair

Amy Sinclair
Lieutenant Governor of Iowa
Acting
In office
September 3, 2024 – December 16, 2024
GovernorKim Reynolds
Preceded byAdam Gregg
Succeeded byChris Cournoyer
President of the Iowa Senate
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byJake Chapman
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 12th district
Assumed office
January 14, 2013
Preceded byPam Jochum
Constituency14th district (2013–2023)
12th district (2023–present)
Personal details
Born (1975-12-10) December 10, 1975
Unionville, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJohn Sinclair (divorced)
Children3
EducationIndian Hills Community College (AA)
WebsiteState 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

Before her election to the Iowa Senate, she served two terms on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors.[3]

Iowa Senate

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

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

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

In March 2023, Sinclair was awarded the Herbert Hoover Award.[23]

Personal life

Sinclair was married to John Boyd Sinclair III, and they have three sons together.[2]

In 2011, Boyd was a 5th grade teacher at Wayne Community School District,[3] and later was promoted to principal.[24] In April 2024, he moved to the Central Decatur Community School District, in Leon, Iowa to work at the South Elementary.[25][26]

They currently reside in Allerton, Iowa.[2]

On May 28th, 2025, Sinclair's son, Evan, and his wife, Victoria, were arrested at their home in Boone, when it was reported, on May 24th, that their two-year-old child was hanging out of a second story window.[27] When police arrived, they notice the odor of marijuana and asked to see all the marijuana in the house and Evan came back with a grocery bag containing the marijuana.[27] They were both arrested and charged with child endangerment and drug charges.[27] Evan had previously, in October 2024, been arrested for OWI, 1st offense, possession or carrying of dangerous weapons while under the influence, carrying a firearm while ineligible and possession of marijuana, 1st offense.[28] All charges, except the OWI, were dismissed.[29]

Electoral history

2024 Iowa 12th District Senate Election Results[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Amy Sinclair 23,075 66.7%
Democratic Party (United States) Nancy Loew 9,682 27.98%
Majority 23,075 66.7%
Turnout 34,592 100%
2020 Iowa 14th District Senate Election Results [21]
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%
2016 Iowa 14th District Senate Election Results [20]
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
2012 Iowa 14th District Senate Election Results [19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Amy Sinclair 17,141 58.17%
Democratic Party (United States) Dick Schrad 11,011 37.36%
Majority 17,141 58.17%
Turnout 28,152 100%

References

  1. ^ "Elevance Health PAC Contributions to State Candidates and Committees" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "State Senator". Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Sinclair announces Iowa Senate District 14 bid". Oskaloosa News. December 8, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  4. ^ "Journal of the Senate, 1-13-2025" (PDF). p. 50. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  5. ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2017 Regular Session" (PDF). p. 5. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  6. ^ "Journal of the Senate, March 20, 2023" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  7. ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2018" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  8. ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2019" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  9. ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2020" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  10. ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2021" (PDF). Iowa Senate. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  11. ^ "Journal of the Senate, 2022" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  12. ^ "Sen. Amy Sinclair takes over as Iowa Senate president". Iowa Capital Dispatch. November 10, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  13. ^ Iowa Secretary of State Winners List
  14. ^ "Journal of the Senate January 9, 2023" (PDF). p. 22. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  15. ^ "Sen. Amy Sinclair takes over as Iowa Senate president". Iowa Capital Dispatch. November 10, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Journal of the Senate, 1-13-2025" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  17. ^ Fingerhut, Hannah (September 3, 2024). "Iowa lieutenant governor resigns to take over state lobby group representing bankers". ABC News.
  18. ^ "Sen. Chris Cournoyer appointed Iowa lieutenant governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "2012 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "2016 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c "2020 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "2024 Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  23. ^ "Journal of the Senate January 9, 2023" (PDF). p. 729. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  24. ^ "Parents and Community Members want a change to the Wayne Community Schools Good Conduct Policy". Corydon Times. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  25. ^ "Search License". Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  26. ^ "Minutes for April 24, 2024 Central Decatur Board of Education Meeting" (PDF). Central Decatur. April 24, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c Stroner, Emma (June 12, 2025). "Son, daughter-in-law of Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair face child endangerment, drug charges". WeareIowa. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  28. ^ "Inmate Details, Charges". October 9, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  29. ^ "State vs Evan Zane Sinclair". October 10, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2025.