06/02/2026
Jim Carlin: Iowans of Faith Deserve the Same Respect as Everyone Else.
Carlin Reaffirms His Commitment to Traditional Marriage and Religious Liberty
Des Moines, Iowa May 25, 2026 - U.S. Senate candidate Jim Carlin today reaffirmed his support for the traditional definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, grounded in his Christian faith and his belief that strong families are the foundation of a strong nation.
"Every person is created in the image of God and deserves dignity, respect, and equal protection under the law," Carlin said. "I have neighbors, friends, and people I care about who see this issue differently than I do. My position is not about disrespecting anyone. It is about whether government should redefine one of humanity's oldest and most fundamental institutions, and on that question, I have a clear and settled view."
"For thousands of years, across cultures and civilizations, marriage has been understood as the union of one man and one woman," Carlin said. "As a Christian, I believe marriage was ordained by God. As a public servant, I believe society has a legitimate interest in protecting and strengthening the family structure that has historically provided the best environment for raising children and sustaining healthy communities."
Carlin noted that until recently, federal law reflected that understanding. The federal Defense of Marriage Act defined marriage for purposes of federal law as the union of one man and one woman. That definition remained federal law until Congress repealed it through the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022.
"I respectfully disagree with that decision," Carlin said. "Marriage is not merely a government-created institution that can be redefined by political majorities. It is a foundational institution that predates government itself."
Carlin is the only consistent conservative in this Senate race who has stood firmly for religious liberty throughout his career - in the Iowa State Senate and in this campaign.
"Many Americans of faith increasingly feel pressured to abandon their beliefs," Carlin said. "Our nation was founded on the principle that people of faith should be free to live according to their sincerely held convictions without government coercion. As your United States Senator, I will never stop defending religious liberty, parental rights, and the freedom of churches, religious organizations, and individuals to uphold their beliefs."
"I will always stand for constitutional freedoms and the values that have guided generations of Iowa families."