Latest news with #Miller-Meeks
Gulf Today
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
When losing a race doesn't mean you'll lose again
Nathan L. Gonzales, Tribune News Service After nearly 25 years of writing about campaigns, I should know better than to take press releases too seriously. In a profession that rewards speed over quality analysis, I know press secretaries and communications directors have jobs to do and often rely on pithy one-liners to try to win the day. We're supposed to look away and attribute it to business as usual. In other words, hate the game and not the player. But a recent news release from the Iowa Republican Party was so audacious, hypocritical and devoid of any historical context that I just couldn't forgive and forget. 'Two-time loser Christina Bohannan is back, trying for strike three in a crowded primary where even her own party knows she can't win,' the chairman of the Iowa GOP said in a June 17 release. 'Iowans have already rejected her twice, and they'll do it again.' Bohannan had just announced her third challenge to GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 1st District, which stretches from outside Des Moines to take in the state's southeastern quarter. A former Democratic state legislator, Bohannan lost to Miller-Meeks by 7 points in 2022 and by less than a quarter of a percentage point (or 799 votes) in 2024. While it's certainly fair to go after Bohannan for her policy positions and party affiliation, Iowa Republicans, more than anyone, should know that attacking someone for losing a race is silly. And highlighting previous losses as a clear sign that a candidate isn't going to win in the future is ridiculous. Miller-Meeks herself lost three races for Congress — in 2008, 2010 and 2014 — before finally getting elected — by six votes — in 2020. Just across the border to the north, in Minnesota's 1st District, Republican Jim Hagedorn lost congressional races in 2010, 2014 and 2016 before getting elected in 2018. Heck, even President Donald Trump was rejected by voters in 2020 before getting elected again four years later. For years, I've failed to dispel the notion that 'losers' can't win. I've written stories with headlines such as ''Retread' strategy: Why Congress next year could be full of losers' and 'Partisan attacks on losers of past campaigns make little sense' and 'How retread candidates derided as 'crusty lasagna' really stack up.' And, unfortunately, it appears I may well die on this hill I choose to defend. Attacking losers is a bipartisan temptation. Back in June 2020, after Miller-Meeks won the Republican nomination for what was then the 2nd District, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee highlighted her 'three failed campaigns' and said, 'Washington Republicans are stuck betting on a candidate who has let them down three times before.' Five months later, she won. Some past losers win because candidates are only part of the election equation. Fundraising, name identification, top-of-the-ticket dynamics, open seat vs. incumbency, and, perhaps most importantly, the political environment affect the outcomes of races as well. In the case of Iowa's 1st District, it's not hard to imagine a midterm election environment in which voters are frustrated or disillusioned enough with the party in power (i.e., the Republicans) to help Bohannan overcome her previous 799-vote deficit. But the Iowa GOP went a step further in trying to disqualify Bohannan based on the potential circumstances of the race. 'Whoever survives this messy Democrat primary will not stand a chance against Iowa champion Marianette Miller-Meeks, who is laser-focused on delivering real results Iowans can count on,' the chairman said in the news release. 'For Bohannan, the third time will not be the charm, it will be the final rejection.' I'm willing to forgive Iowa Republicans for misspelling the congresswoman's name in their own release since I have misspelled it probably 30 times over the years. But primaries are poor predictors of general election success. Don't believe me? Let's go all the way back to the race for the 1st District in 2024. Bohannan was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while Miller-Meeks posted an underwhelming 56% to 44% victory in the GOP primary against Army veteran David Pautsch, whom she outspent $1 million to $38,000. Even though she had a tough and close primary, Miller-Meeks went on to win the general election. This cycle, despite the GOP's rhetoric, Miller-Meeks may end up having a close primary once again. Pautsch is back for a second run, and the congresswoman clearly has had problems with her right flank. Bohannan currently faces two primary opponents: Bob Krause, who served in the Iowa House in the 1970s and in the Carter administration, and health care worker Travis Terrell. But there's no indication either of them can raise the money to compete. Too often, primaries are stigmatized because of certain high-profile outcomes that had a significant impact on the general election. Think Todd Akin in Missouri or Richard Mourdock in Indiana, both flawed candidates who lost winnable races for Republicans in 2012. But, in the vast majority of races, primaries are a natural part of the electoral process and are not debilitating. Inside Elections currently rates the race for Iowa's 1st District as a Toss-up, so it's certainly possible that Bohannan loses again. But that would most likely have more to do with the political environment than Iowans remembering how they voted two and four years ago.
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Democrat Edges Republican Incumbent in New Iowa Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democrat Christina Bohannan held a lead over Republican Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks in a new Democratic-sponsored poll of Iowa's First Congressional District, according to Politico. Why It Matters Bohannan nearly unseated Miller-Meeks in 2024, losing by only 799 votes despite President Donald Trump carrying the district by more than 8 percentage points. It was among the closest races and went to a recount. Bohannan announced last week she is taking on Miller-Meeks for a third time in hopes of flipping the seat in the 2026 midterms. The election will likely become one of the most competitive races as Democrats aim to regain control of the House, particularly if Trump's falling approval rating fuels a 2018-style "blue wave." Democratic congressional candidate Christina Bohannan speaks to supporters during an election night watch party in Iowa City, Iowa, on November 5, 2024. Democratic congressional candidate Christina Bohannan speaks to supporters during an election night watch party in Iowa City, Iowa, on November 5, 2024. Nick Rohlman/The Gazette via AP What To Know Politico reported a new poll of the district showing Bohannan with an early lead over the incumbent Republican. The internal poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling and commissioned by the House Majority PAC. Bohannan received 43 percent support to 39 percent for Miller-Meeks, while 18 percent were undecided. Bohannan told Newsweek that the poll is a "reflection of what we are seeing in the district." "Hundreds of people reached out to me asking me to run again. That's why we launched our campaign last week," Bohannan said. "People are very fed up with what they are seeing with Representative Miller-Meeks and what's happening in Washington, D.C. She has voted three times to protect the tariffs that are hurting Iowa's farmers and hurting everyday people with increasing the cost of everything from groceries to lumber." Internal polls are sometimes viewed as less reliable than independent polls, as they are typically selectively released by those who sponsor them. No independent polls have been conducted for the race, but analysts view the district as a toss-up. The poll surveyed 555 voters in the district from June 18-19, Politico reported. Newsweek also reached out to Miller-Meeks' campaign via email for comment. Bohannan's campaign wrote in a press statement last week that her campaign raised more than $500,000 in the first day after launching her run, underscoring how competitive the race may be. The district includes much of the southeast areas of Iowa, ranging from Des Moines suburbs to Davenport and Iowa City, as well as much of the rural areas across the region. It's illustrative of the sort of rural district Democrats once did well in but have struggled in recent elections. Democrats view Bohannan as a strong recruit, pointing to her strong showing in the district compared to former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. They are hoping that performance, along with a more favorable national environment, could propel her to victory next November. What People Are Saying Katarina Flicker, House Majority PAC press secretary, on X, formerly Twitter: "NEW POLLING commissioned by @HouseMajPAC finds Dem candidate Christina Bohannan leading GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) in what is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races of the 2026 cycle NRCC Spokeswoman Emily Tuttle, in a statement after Bohannan announced her campaign: "When will Christina learn? Iowans have rejected her twice already, and now she has to run to the left to beat radical Bob Kraus and Bernie-bro Travis Terrell in the primary. There's no doubt whoever comes out of this liberal rat race will be sent packing when Iowans re-elect America First fighter Mariannette Miller-Meeks next fall." What Happens Next Bohannan will compete in the primary on June 2, 2026. The general election is set for November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as a pure toss-up.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Christina Bohannan launches 3rd bid for Iowa's 1st Congressional District
Democrat Christina Bohannan will try once more to seek election in Iowa's 1st Congressional District in 2026, potentially setting the stage for a highly competitive third rematch between her and Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. After a narrow 2024 loss against the incumbent, the 53-year-old University of Iowa law professor and former state representative announced Tuesday, June 17, that she is running for the third time since 2022 to unseat Miller-Meeks, 69. It is expected to be one of the most closely contested congressional races in the U.S. 'Mariannette Miller-Meeks has had three terms in Congress — three chances to do right by the people of Iowa," Bohannan said in a statement. "Instead, she has taken over $4 million from corporate special interests and done nothing but vote their way. And she has put partisan politics over Iowans again and again. From cutting Medicaid, to siding with DOGE's devastating cuts to Social Security, to enabling unelected, unaccountable billionaires like Elon Musk — Miller-Meeks has forgotten about us. It's time someone put Iowa first.' Bohannan focused her 2024 campaign on attacking Miller-Meeks' record on reproductive rights, an issue that was especially salient for some voters since Iowa's new six-week abortion ban took effect in 2024. It also was the first presidential election since the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, leaving abortion rights to states to decide. She also has called for improving public schools, investing in rural infrastructure and reducing costs by taking on corporate price gouging and ensuring wealthy Americans "pay their fair share" in taxes. More: Where Miller-Meeks, Bohannan stand on key issues, from abortion to the border to inflation The 1st District encompasses southeastern Iowa, including Iowa City and Davenport, and stretches into Marion, Warren and Jasper counties in south-central Iowa. It is one of 35 races the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of House Democrats, is targeting to sway control of Congress. Iowa's 2nd and 3rd District races, where Republican Reps. Ashley Hinson and Zach Nunn hold office, also are among the targets. This is a more expansive list than at the start of the 2024 cycle, which DCCC officials said reflects eroding public support for House Republicans as they advance Medicaid cuts, "make everything more expensive" after campaigning to lower costs and show a "refusal to stand up to (President) Donald Trump." Political analysts with the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections categorize the 1st District race as a "tossup," meaning either party has a good shot at nabbing the seat. According to data from the Secretary of State, 30% of active voters in Iowa's 1st District are registered as Democrats, 36% are registered as Republicans and 34% are registered as 'no party" or other. Miller-Meeks wrote Tuesday in a post on X, "I see some comments from liberals hoping I am not running for re-election. They should hope for something else. My campaign is going strong and I look forward to winning next November to keep Iowa winning in Congress." A former ophthalmologist and Army veteran who has an official address in Davenport but maintains a residence in Ottumwa, Miller-Meeks was first elected in 2020 on her third try, prevailing over Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes in what was then the state's 2nd Congressional District. Miller-Meeks survived a recount to win a third two-year term to the seat in 2024 by 798 votes, a far slimmer margin than when she bested Bohannan by more than 20,000 votes in 2022. The Republican leads the pack of U.S. House incumbents in fundraising, bringing in more than $1 million during the first quarter, according to the most recent reports available. Miller-Meeks' third-term priorities have included working to reauthorize Trump's signature tax cuts enacted in 2017, lower prescription drug prices, shield farmland from Chinese ownership and "protect women's sports," referring to efforts to keep transgender women and girls from competing in female sports. Both Bohannan and Miller-Meeks have to prevail in their parties' June 2026 primaries before potentially facing another rematch. Travis Terrell, a University of Iowa Health Care employee from Tiffin, was the first Democrat to launch a 2026 bid for the 1st District. Former state lawmaker Bob Krause, of Burlington, also is vying for the Democratic nomination. And Republican David Pautsch, has launched a primary campaign against Miller-Meeks. He unsuccessfully challenged her in 2024 for the 1st District GOP nomination. "When will Christina learn? Iowans have rejected her twice already, and now she has to run to the left to beat radical Bob Krause and Bernie-bro Travis Terrell in the primary," Emily Tuttle, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement. "There's no doubt whoever comes out of this liberal rat race will be sent packing when they re-elect America First fighter Mariannette Miller-Meeks this fall." Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@ Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Democrat Christina Bohannan to run again in Iowa's 1st District
The Hill
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Former congressional candidate seeks third match against Miller-Meeks
The Democrat who's faced off against Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) twice and came within 1,000 voters of ousting her last year has announced she'll try to defeat the incumbent a third time. Christina Bohannan, who formerly served in the Iowa State House, launched her third straight campaign for Iowa's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, seeking to build on her 2024 performance in which she nearly pulled off an upset. Bohannan said Miller-Meeks has had 'three chances to do right by the people of Iowa' in her three House times but accused her of putting 'partisan politics over Iowans.' 'From cutting Medicaid, to siding with DOGE's devastating cuts to Social Security, to enabling unelected, unaccountable billionaires like Elon Musk – Miller-Meeks has forgotten about us,' Bohannan said. 'It's time someone put Iowa first.' Bohannan first ran for the House in 2022 but lost to Miller-Meeks by 7 points. But she ran in one of the closest races of the 2024 cycle last year in a rematch, losing by less than two tenths of a point in a contest that went to a recount. Her campaign noted that she outraised Miller-Meeks by $1.4 million last cycle and outperformed the Democratic presidential ticket by 8.2 points, more than any other candidate facing an incumbent Republican that the national party targeted. It argued her performance forced Cook Political Report and other election analysts to consider the race a toss-up heading into next year. The seat could be key as Democrats seek to win back control of the House, where they currently have a narrow minority.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Miller-Meeks denies Big Beautiful Bill Act would add trillions to national debt
Members of Congress are now on their Memorial Day recess and back in their home districts. Republicans in the House of Representatives left D.C. by adopting a big piece of Trump's agenda last week. It's officially called the Big Beautiful Bill Act. But this is a budget with spending details and tax cuts. Independent estimates say it would add $4 trillion to the national debt if this passes the Senate in its current form. A few quick specifics. It would extend the first Trump administration tax breaks, include new cuts on estate taxes and reduce Medicaid spending while adding a work requirement to be eligible. It would also limit dependents for SNAP food assistance, weaken court authority to enforce contempt charges for ignoring and defying court orders and injunctions, and a lot more than that. Those restrictions on Medicaid and SNAP food assistance fell under the purview of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks serves on it. For months Republicans maintained they would see no cuts. A crew with a group called Social Security Works asked the Congresswoman about that in March. 'You voted in this committee to advance to advance resolution that where you guys need to find savings for 880 billion dollars,' the group said. 'How are you going to find that savings without cutting Medicaid?' 'There are ways that we can find it and we will continue to that,' Miller-Meeks answered. 'As you know, we didn't make any cuts. All we did was pass a budget reconciliation solution.' A different crew with Social Security Works tried asking her about her vote in favor of the cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in committee that got included in the final bill. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks would not stop to talk and hurried to get on an elevator for a conference meeting. That more than 1100-page budget package passed by the House of Representatives is still being digested. We mentioned a few of the ramifications. Host Jim Niedelman gets into that with Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. She voted for it and joins him for a conversation. 'They underpredicted the effect of revenue growth during the first Trump administration,' Miller-Meeks said. To hear more, click on the video. Now we want to hear from you, too, and that brings us to our question of the week. What do you think about the Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by the House of Representatives? Share your thoughts at 4therecord@ Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present , a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. It's a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as brings you up to speed on what's happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
