The race for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District is heating up, with Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks facing a tight re-election battle against her Democratic challenger, Christina Bohannan. A recent poll conducted by the Des Moines Register paints a picture of a close contest, with Bohannan leading Miller-Meeks by a narrow three-point margin. This makes it the most competitive House race in Iowa, where Republicans are favored in the other three districts.
The poll’s findings underscore the shifting political landscape in Iowa’s 1st District, which has seen fluctuations in support for Miller-Meeks throughout the year. In June, the same poll showed Miller-Meeks ahead of Bohannan by 12 points, while a February poll had Bohannan leading by four points. Despite the recent poll, the Cook Political Report continues to classify the district as “Lean Republican,” while Fox News’ power rankings in August labelled it “Likely Republican.”
Some Republican voters participating in the Register poll expressed dissatisfaction with Miller-Meeks, citing her perceived lack of support for former President Donald Trump. One Republican voter, Jim Schenk, voiced his frustration, stating, “Our own Republicans are so milquetoast wishy-washy that they’re almost worthless, and that’s the category I would put Meeks in. She’s just sitting there not doing anything. The only thing you can say about her is that she’s not actively harming us like a Democrat would be doing.” Schenk believes Miller-Meeks has been hesitant to defend Trump due to the district’s vulnerability.
The upcoming midterm elections will be crucial for both Miller-Meeks and Bohannan as they fight for the seat in Iowa’s 1st District. The poll results suggest a competitive race that could hinge on voter sentiment towards Miller-Meeks and her perceived support for Trump.
