In the 2018 elections, Scholten ran against Republican incumbent Steve King for the United States House of Representatives in Iowa's 4th congressional district.
He lost, 50%-47% in a closer showing than expected.
In January 2019, Scholten announced the formation of a nonprofit group to help low-income Iowans gain more information about the earned income tax credit.

In August 2019, Scholten announced that he would seek a rematch against King in the 2020 elections.
Scholten was unopposed in the primary, and will face Randy Feenstra, who defeated King in the primary election.
In the 2018 elections, Scholten ran against Republican incumbent Steve King for the United States House of Representatives in Iowa's 4th congressional district. He lost, 50%-47% in a closer showing than expected. In January 2019, Scholten announced the formation of a nonprofit group to help low-income Iowans gain more information about the earned income tax credit.
In August 2019, Scholten announced that he would seek a rematch against King in the 2020 elections. Scholten was unopposed in the primary, and will face Randy Feenstra, who defeated King in the primary election.
J. D. Scholten