DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Democrat seeking to dethrone an incumbent Republican in a tight battle for Iowa Congress, one of a handful yet to be convened after Republicans won control of the U.S. House of Representatives, has requested a recount.
Democrat Christina Bohannan’s campaign requested the recount Thursday in her bid against incumbent Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks to represent Iowa’s 1st District. The initial count puts Bohannan less than 1,000 votes — less than a percentage point — behind Miller-Meeks.
The contest is a much tighter rematch of 2022, when Miller-Meeks won by 7 percentage points. Miller-Meeks earned a first term in Congress representing Iowa’s 2nd District when she defeated Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes in 2020.
The Associated Press has not yet called the race because the margin was close enough that it could trigger a recount. Miller-Meeks declared victory and said she was confident in her lead.
Bohannan’s campaign said in a statement that the recount will ensure “every voter is heard” but that they have “full confidence in this process and will accept the results regardless of the outcome.”
Republican incumbents retained Iowa’s three other congressional seats, including the competitive 3rd District, where Zach Nunn fended off a challenge from Democrat Lanon Baccam.
Republican incumbents Ashley Hinson in the 2nd District and Randy Feenstra in the 4th District won decisively. Hinson defeated Democrat Sarah Corkery. Feenstra defeated Democrat Ryan Melton.
On Wednesday, Republicans won enough seats to control the U.S. House of Representatives, completing the party’s power grab and, along with newly elected President Donald Trump, securing their grip on the U.S. government. A Republican victory of the House of Representatives in Arizona, in addition to a victory in slow-counting California earlier in the day, gave the Republican Party the 218 House victories that constitute the majority.
Republicans previously took control of the Senate from Democrats.
