U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is facing off against Democrat Christina Bohannan for Iowa’s 1st District, which encompasses the southeast portion of the state, including Indianola, Davenport, Iowa City and Burlington.
Why it matters: Iowa’s competitive 1st District race is one of just a few toss-up congressional seats in the country in 2024.
Zoom in: The race features Miller-Meeks, an ophthalmologist who’s held her seat for two terms, and Bohannan, a law professor and former state representative.
- This is Bohannan’s second time challenging Miller-Meeks.
- The Republican incumbent held her seat by 20,000 votes in 2022.
Flashback: When Miller-Meeks first won in 2020, she unseated current Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart by only six votes to represent what was then Iowa’s 2nd District.
- Following redistricting, the boundary lines changed in 2022, and Miller-Meeks went on to win Iowa’s 1st District in a ” red wave .”
Yes, but: Election analysts have predicted this year’s race will be more competitive , in part due to the presidential race.