DES MOINES, Iowa — The Democrat looking to unseat an incumbent Republican in a close Iowa congressional race, one of a handful yet to be called after Republicans won control of the U.S. House, has asked for a recount.
Democrat Christina Bohannan's campaign on Thursday requested the recount in her bid against Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks to represent Iowa’s 1st District. The initial tally puts Bohannan fewer 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 prompt a recount. Miller-Meeks has declared victory and said she was confident in her lead.
Bohannan's campaign said in a statement that the recount will make certain “that every voter is heard,” but that they have “full trust in this process and will accept the results regardless of the outcome.”
Iowa's Secretary of State's office said Bohannan will need to contact all 20 counties in the district. A three-person recount board will be assembled in the near future, with two members from both parties and a mutually agreed upon individual.
The Secretary of State's office said there's a chance the board could meet this week, but it's more likely to happen next week. The parties involved will have a few weeks to square things out with Dec. 2 listed as Iowa's deadline to have results certified.
Here is her campaign's full statement:
Over the past week, Iowa election officials have worked tirelessly to count and record hundreds of thousands of ballots in Iowa’s 1st congressional district race, resulting in a razor-thin margin. As Rep. Miller-Meeks has acknowledged, a recount is to be expected in this very close race. To be absolutely certain that every voter is heard, the Bohannan campaign will request a recount in all 20 counties across the district, as permitted by Iowa law. We have full trust in this process and will accept the results regardless of the outcome. All Iowans should feel confident that at the conclusion of this transparent, precinct-level recount process, every lawful vote will be counted and reported accurately.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Miller-Meeks' campaign accused Bohannan and other Democrats of being “election deniers.”
“This is a delaying tactic to thwart the will of the people,” the statement said. “A recount won’t meaningfully change the outcome of this race as the congresswoman’s lead is mathematically impossible to overcome.”
Here are the full statements from Miller-Meeks and her counsel:
Statement from Counsel Alan Ostergren
This is one more attempt by the DC Democrats to thwart or delay the will of Iowa voters. This margin of victory is insurmountable. Bohannan is just needlessly costing taxpayers money.
Statement from the Miller-Meeks Campaign
Just as Democrats are trying to steal a senate seat in Pennsylvania, Bohannan and the Democrats remain election deniers in this race as well. This is a delaying tactic to thwart the will of the people. A recount won't meaningfully change the outcome of this race as the congresswoman's lead is mathematically impossible to overcome. Mariannette was humbled to win the support of the majority of voters and we remain confident Mariannette Miller-Meeks has been re-elected to a third term.
Republican incumbents held onto 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, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on U.S. government alongside President-elect Donald Trump. A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier in the day, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority.
Republicans earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats.