Democrat Bohannan Unseats Miller-Meeks in Iowa’s First District

DES MOINES—Former state Rep. Christina Bohannan beat incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the race for Iowa’s First Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race at 12:08 a.m. ET on Nov. 4.

On Oct. 9, just days before early voting in the state started, the Cook Political Report changed the race from “Toss-Up” to “Lean Democrat.”

Incumbent Miller-Meeks sought her fourth term on a platform of securing the border, lowering costs, combating abuse in government programs, and increasing transparency and accountability in Washington.

The Republican received President Donald Trump’s endorsement during the primary election.

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“A distinguished Medical Doctor and U.S. Army Veteran, Mariannette knows the America First Policies required to Defend our Country, Support our Brave Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on June 1.

Miller-Meeks voted for Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which permanently extended the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act rates and eliminated tax on tips and overtime.

“This bill protects Iowa families, seniors, and small businesses while strengthening Medicaid for the vulnerable—not for those who can work and choose not to,” Miller-Meeks wrote in a May 2025 press release. “I’m especially proud that my two bills to improve Medicaid integrity and expand access to pediatric care were included. Today’s vote is a win for Iowa and for every American who believes in work, responsibility, and a government that serves its people, not the other way around.”

Bohannan, a Democrat and former state representative, ran on a platform to lower costs, fight government corruption, reverse Medicaid cuts, and reinvest in public education.

Bohannan received endorsements from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Operating Engineers Local 150, Laborers Local 309, and Carpenters Local 4.

Independent candidate Michael Bridgford ran on a platform to address affordability, enact term limits, reform campaign finance, ban stock trading in Congress, and fix Social Security.

Iowa’s 1st Congressional District wasn’t the only tight race in the Hawkeye State.

The Cook Political Report also moved the governor’s race and Iowa’s 3rd U.S. Congressional District contest from “Toss-Up” to “Lean Democrat” while separately changing the ranks of the U.S. Senate race and Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District from “Lean Republican” to “Toss-Up.”

Iowa Secretary of State’s office reported a substantially higher number of absentee and early ballots in the 2026 election than the 2022 midterm election.

As of Oct. 30, the Secretary of State’s office said it received 407,549 absentee and early ballots statewide—39 percent higher than the ballots received during the 2022 midterms at the same date.

Absentee and early ballots submitted during this election were 27 percent less than the 2024 presidential election at the same date.

Four days ahead of the election, the Secretary of State’s office reported that 191,768 ballots came from registered Democrats, 137,899 came from registered Republicans, and 76,467 came from no-party voters.