Cindy Axne

Cynthia Lynne Axne (née Wadle; born April 20, 1965) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district from 2019 until 2023.

A member of the Democratic Party, Axne narrowly defeated incumbent Republican David Young in the 2018 elections. The district was anchored in the state capital Des Moines; it included much of the state's southwest quadrant, including Council Bluffs. Axne ran for reelection to a third term in 2022, but lost to Republican challenger Zach Nunn, a U.S. Air Force officer. She is the most recent Democrat to represent Iowa in Congress.

Early life and career Axne was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1965, the daughter of Terry and Joanne Wadle. She graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University. She won the Democratic primary election with 57.91% of the vote and narrowly defeated incumbent Representative David Young in the general election, becoming, with Abby Finkenauer, one of the first two women from Iowa elected to the House. Young carried 15 of the district's 16 counties, but Axne won Polk County, the district's most populous county and home to Des Moines, by over 30,000 votes, far exceeding the overall margin of 8,000.

2020

In 2020, Axne won the Democratic primary virtually unopposed, facing only write-in candidates. She then defeated David Young in a rematch in the general election, with 48.9% of the vote to Young's 47.6%.

2022

Axne ran for reelection and lost to Republican state Senator Zach Nunn by a margin of 0.7%.

Tenure Axne took office during the 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown and requested that her pay be withheld until the shutdown ended. On January 30, 2019, she co-sponsored a bill, the Shutdown to End All Shutdowns (SEAS) Act, to prevent future federal government shutdowns from happening.

In September 2021, Axne was accused of failing to disclose up to $645,000 in stock trades. Reports also found that she had bought and sold stocks in companies she was tasked to oversee as a member of the House Financial Services Committee.

In July 2022, the Committee on Ethics voted to clear Axne of any wrongdoing and dismissed previously filed complaints on stock trading.

In September 2022, Axne voted for the Inflation Reduction Act by proxy while on vacation in France.

As of October 2022, Axne has voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time. In an October 2022 interview, she called Biden "the most impactful president we've seen in this country's history".

In 2022, Axne voted for H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.

Committee assignments United States House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry United States House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship and Capital Markets

Caucus memberships New Democrat Coalition

Electoral history

Post-congressional career On June 7, 2023, Axne was appointed as Senior Advisor for Rural Engagement, Delivery and Prosperity to the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Biden Administration.

Personal life Axne and her husband, John, operate a digital design firm. They live in west Des Moines and are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines.

Axne is tall.