Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Democrat Christina Bohannan have secured their party nominations, setting up a third consecutive general election contest for Iowa's 1st Congressional District. Miller-Meeks defeated a MAGA Republican challenger, while Bohannan overcame her Democratic primary opponent. Miller-Meeks is considered a vulnerable incumbent.
Republican U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks won renomination in Iowa's first congressional district, setting up a third general election race against Democrat Christina Bohannan. Miller-Meeks, a 70-year-old physician and three-term House Republican, defeated MAGA Republican challenger David Pautsch. Bohannan, a 54-year-old University of Iowa law professor and former state representative, clinched the Democratic nomination by overcoming Travis Terrell. Miller-Meeks is considered one of the most vulnerable House Republicans, facing challenges amid high prices for consumer goods and an unpopular war against Iran, which have impacted President Donald Trump's approval ratings. Bohannan has lost to Miller-Meeks in two previous elections, but narrowed the margin to approximately 800 votes in the 2024 contest. Both candidates have over $4 million in cash on hand.
This race is a key battleground in the fight for control of the House of Representatives, with Miller-Meeks being a vulnerable incumbent facing a determined challenger in a closely divided district.