DES MOINES, Iowa — In Iowa, the four congressional districts are completely represented by Republicans, yet Democrats are optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming general election on Tuesday.
Among these districts, two appear particularly competitive: the 1st district located in southeast Iowa and the 3rd district that covers central and southern Iowa. On the other hand, the 2nd district in northeast Iowa and the predominantly rural 4th district in western Iowa seem likely to remain in Republican hands with relative ease.
In the 1st district, incumbent Republican Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks is campaigning for her third term in the U.S. House. She is up against Christina Bohannan, the Democrat she defeated in the 2022 election. In that previous contest, Miller-Meeks won with a margin of around 7 percent, significantly larger than her narrow victory of just six votes over Democrat Rita Hart in 2020.
Bohannan, a law professor at the University of Iowa and former legislator, is focusing her campaign on abortion rights, particularly as Iowa Republicans have enacted stringent laws barring most abortions. Additionally, she is advocating for reducing costs across various sectors, including food, fuel, and housing.
Miller-Meeks, who previously worked as an ophthalmologist, stands in opposition to abortion rights and has supported a legislative effort aimed at instituting a national abortion ban starting at 15 weeks while allowing states to implement stricter regulations. She has also expressed her commitment to addressing inflation, boosting the economy, and lowering prices for prescription medications as well as over-the-counter contraceptives.
The 3rd district, which encompasses a large portion of the Des Moines metropolitan area, is another hotspot of competition, with Democratic candidate Lanon Baccam contending against incumbent Republican Zach Nunn. Both candidates bring military experience to the table; Baccam served in the Iowa National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan, while Nunn, an Air Force pilot with three deployments to the Middle East, recently earned a promotion to colonel.
Abortion remains a prominent topic in the race, with Baccam tackling Nunn’s stance against abortion rights. He pledges to vote for the restoration of national abortion rights, which were rolled back following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Nunn, while also opposing abortion rights and having voted for strict regulations in Iowa, has stated he does not advocate for a federal abortion ban.
Both candidates have committed to working towards a more constructive and functional Congress aimed at resolving pressing issues. Nunn emphasizes the importance of addressing illegal immigration, whereas Baccam focuses on economic improvement and the creation of more middle-class job opportunities.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Republican Representative Ashley Hinson is seeking a third term against Democrat Sarah Corkery. Hinson, who previously worked as a news anchor for KCRG-TV, identifies strengthening the southern border as her primary focus. Meanwhile, Corkery, a community activist, is vocal about her commitment to restoring abortion rights. An independent candidate, Jody Puffett, is also in the race.
Incumbent Republican Representative Randy Feenstra is campaigning for a third term in the extensive 4th District, which includes 36 of Iowa’s 99 counties. He faces a challenge from Democrat Ryan Melton. The Republican party holds a significant advantage in registered voters within this district and generally wins general elections by margins exceeding 20 percentage points.