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]
Before her election to the Iowa Senate, she served two terms on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors.[3]
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]
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]
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]
In March 2023, Sinclair was awarded the Herbert Hoover Award.[23]
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 noticed the odor of marijuana and asked to see all the marijuana in the house. 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]
| 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% | |||
| 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 Party (United States) | Dick Schrad | 11,011 | 37.36% | ||
| Majority | 17,141 | 58.17% | |||
| Turnout | 28,152 | 100% | |||
Statewide political officials of Iowa | ||
|---|---|---|
| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government | ||
| State Senate |
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| State House |
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| Supreme Court (appointed, retained by election) |
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