Bohannan Defeats Miller-Meeks in Iowa’s 1st District

Christina Bohannan has won Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, unseating Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks after challenging her in 2022 and 2024. Decision Desk HQ called the race for Bohannan at 11:30 p.m. Eastern on November 3; the Associated Press called it at 12:08 a.m. on November 4.

With 90% of the vote counted, Bohannan had 53.5% to Miller-Meeks’s 42.8%. An earlier count, with 85% in, showed Bohannan leading 53.81% to 42.62%.

The contest was important to Republicans’ efforts to keep control of the House. Miller-Meeks and fellow Iowa Republican Rep. Zach Nunn had voted with Democrats to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in the Iran conflict, while Trump had won Iowa by 13 points in 2024.

Economic pressures were also part of the campaign backdrop. The Democratic National Committee cited rising costs for fuel, housing, food, fertilizer and health care, and said the Iran war was squeezing farmers and small businesses. Trump campaigned in Dubuque shortly before Election Day after rescheduling a rally.

Miller-Meeks had promoted a planned $15 billion steel complex in Iowa, which the administration described as the country’s largest-ever. She said it would bring more than 1,700 permanent jobs to Lee County. The state also has two other competitive House districts, along with gubernatorial and Senate contests.

Bohannan’s Win Rejects GOP as Iowa Families Face Rising Costs

Christina Bohannan’s victory over Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks gives Iowa voters a chance to send a new representative to Congress after two earlier Bohannan challenges. The race was called late November 3 and just after midnight November 4, with Bohannan leading 53.5% to 42.8% when 90% of votes were counted.

The contest unfolded as families faced rising costs for fuel, housing, food, fertilizer and health care. The Democratic National Committee said the Iran war was adding pressure on farmers and small businesses already struggling with expenses.

Miller-Meeks and fellow Iowa Republican Rep. Zach Nunn voted with Democrats to restrict President Donald Trump’s war powers over Iran. Their break with Trump came in a state he carried by 13 points in 2024, as Republicans sought to defend their House majority.

Miller-Meeks pointed to a planned $15 billion steel complex in Iowa, which the administration called the largest-ever in the country, and said it would bring more than 1,700 permanent jobs. But the race remained rated Leans Democrat in the week before Election Day. Bohannan’s win makes clear that a promised investment did not erase the economic concerns at the center of the campaign.

Iowa Voters Oust Miller-Meeks After GOP Break With Trump

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks lost Iowa’s 1st District to Democrat Christina Bohannan, who secured the seat after two failed challenges. The race was called late November 3 and early November 4, with Bohannan ahead 53.5% to 42.8% and 90% of votes counted.

The defeat came as Miller-Meeks and fellow Iowa Republican Rep. Zach Nunn distanced themselves from President Donald Trump, voting with Democrats to limit his war powers in the Iran conflict. Trump had carried Iowa by 13 points in 2024, and he campaigned in Dubuque shortly before Election Day as Republicans fought to retain House control.

Miller-Meeks had also championed a proposed $15 billion steel facility in Iowa, which federal officials portrayed as the nation’s biggest of its kind. She said the project would provide more than 1,700 permanent jobs in Lee County.

The Democratic National Committee emphasized rising costs and argued the Iran war was squeezing farmers and small businesses. The result shows the challenge for Republicans in a competitive district: defending the administration’s agenda while incumbents break with Trump on a major foreign-policy question. Iowa also has two other competitive House contests, as well as Senate and gubernatorial races.