One of the nation’s most closely watched races for Congress will occur in Iowa, as political parties vie for control of the chamber and affordability proposals differ from each candidate.
Republicans currently hold a 218-212 lead in the U.S. House of Representatives, the smallest majority a party can hold while still passing legislation. Election-tracking outlets say U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, is one of the most vulnerable incumbent Republicans in the nation.
In Iowa’s first congressional district, Miller-Meeks barely won reelection in 2024 against Christina Bohannan, who is running for the third time against the incumbent Republican.
Miller-Meeks voted for the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a signature piece of legislation touted by Republicans in Congress as the largest tax cut in history. The legislation included no taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security payments.
“This bill protects Iowa families, seniors, and small businesses while strengthening Medicaid for the vulnerable – not for those who can work and choose not to,” Miller-Meeks said.
Bohannan has criticized Miller-Meeks’ vote for the legislation and said it would increase prices for Iowa families instead of lowering taxes.
“Mariannette Miller-Meeks is making things worse because she puts her special interest and corporate donors ahead of us,” Bohannan said. “She makes sure that they profit, and we pay for it.”
Miller-Meeks, a physician, defended her record on the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” amid rising criticism of the legislation’s cuts to Medicaid.
“I’ve spent my career on the side of patients, not the big insurance companies and bureaucrats standing between them and the care they need,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement.
Bohannan has focused her affordability message on ending the Trump administration’s tariff policies. She said the policies have driven up prices and acted as an unnecessary tax on American goods.
“Reckless and chaotic tariffs – now against Canada, one of Iowa’s biggest trading partners – continue to drive up costs for Iowans,” Bohannan said after the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian goods.
Miller-Meeks has defended her support of the Trump administration’s tariff policies, and she has voted in favor of keeping them in place eight times over the past year.
“Iowa’s farmers feed the world, and they deserve fair markets and strong enforcement that protect their livelihoods,” said Miller-Meeks. “I fully support his efforts to secure better deals for American producers, expand markets for agricultural exports, and provide certainty for Iowa’s farmers as they face global challenges beyond their control.”
Bohannan and Miller-Meeks have also sparred over their policy priorities and congressional records on price gouging. Miller-Meeks reintroduced the DRUG Act, legislation to crack down on pharmaceutical companies from price gouging drugs.
“The DRUG Act puts downward pressure on prescription drug prices and insurance premiums by removing the incentive for [Pharmacy Benefit Managers] to drive up the list price of a medication,” Miller-Meeks said. “Additionally, this legislation protects independent pharmacies and a patient’s right to choose the pharmacy of his or her choice without pressure from the PBM.”
Bohannan criticized Miller-Meeks for voting against the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, a measure that prevents corporate price gouging in the gas and energy industries.
Miller-Meeks argued the measure would not lower gas prices and that high gas prices were instead due to the Biden administration’s energy policies.
Miller-Meeks has a slight lead over Bohannan in campaign contributions with more than $7.2 million in donations and $4.6 million in cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission. Bohannan follows with more than $7 million in donations but leads in cash on hand with $5.2 million.
Miller-Meeks received $2,500 from the General Mills PAC, $1,000 from Citizens United Victory Fund and $5,000 from Berkshire Hathaway PAC. Bohannan recieved $10,000 from the American Optometric Association PAC, more than $20,000 from JStreetPAC and $2,500 from Patriot PAC.
Voters will head to the polls in Iowa on Nov. 3. Early voting starts Oct. 14.