Democratic challengers in Iowa’s top two battleground congressional races widened their cash advantages over GOP incumbents in the latest fundraising period as they gear up for a competitive November election.
University of Iowa law professor Christina Bohannan and state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott of West Des Moines maintained their fundraising leads over Republican incumbents in Iowa’s 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts, new reports show.
And a third Democratic challenger, state Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque, has picked up fundraising steam over Republican former state Rep. Joe Mitchell in the race for northeastern Iowa’s 2nd District.
Democrats and Republicans view all three races as pivotal in the battle for control of Congress.
Bohannan, of Iowa City, is trying for a third time to unseat U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in southeastern Iowa’s 1st District after a narrow 2024 loss. She outraised the Ottumwa Republican, tallying $1.4 million this period.
And Trone Garriott, who is seeking block GOP U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn from securing a third term in south-central Iowa’s 3rd District, which includes Des Moines and its suburbs, raked in $1.4 million this period.
Elections analysts with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report consider the 1st and 3rd district matchups tossups, meaning either party has an equal shot of winning.
Cook elections observers recently rated the 2nd District as “lean Republican,” shifting it to a more competitive category.
Christina Bohannan widens fundraising advantage over Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Miller-Meeks and Bohannan continue to stockpile major cash as they brace for their rematch after handily fending off primary challenges from their left and right flanks.
Bohannan’s latest haul pushed her campaign coffers to $5.4 million to give her a $733,837 advantage over Miller-Meeks. Bohannan spent $315,238 in the most recent period.
Miller-Meeks posted more than $1 million during the same period and spent $591,742. That bumped her cash on hand to nearly $4.7 million.
“I’m honored by the support of families in every corner of our district, and from Iowans of every political party,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement. “Iowans want common sense over crazy: tax cuts for working families, a secure border, and stopping your tax dollars from flowing to illegal immigrants and fraud. That’s exactly what I’m fighting for.”
Michael Bridgford, an independent candidate from Bettendorf who entered the race in April, significantly trails both major party candidates, raising $189,523 and spending $64,664 during the period.
His campaign drew a combined $6,000 in support from businessman Andrew Yang, the longshot 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful, and Yang’s Forward Party that seeks to reduce political polarization and overhaul the electoral system.
The 20-county 1st Congressional District encompasses the cities of Davenport, Iowa City, Keokuk and Indianola.
Zach Nunn slightly trails Sarah Trone Garriott’s cash in the bank
Trone Garriott’s latest haul bumps her campaign coffers to nearly $3.9 million, giving her more money overall for the first time this cycle. She spent $247,485.
“These numbers tell you what kind of representative each of us will be,” Trone Garriott said in a statement. “Zach Nunn’s campaign is funded by his party leaders and corporate PACs, and that’s exactly who he works for in Washington. My campaign is powered by my neighbors, and they’re the people I’ll answer to in Congress.”
Nunn, an Ankeny Republican, boasted $722,310 raised in the most recent period and spent $314,446, nudging his cash on hand to nearly $3.6 million.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Iowans who continue to support our campaign and our mission to deliver results for families across Iowa,” Nunn said in a statement. “As we work to deliver results on affordability, strengthen our economy, and keep our communities safe, this strong showing of support from Iowans demonstrates that our message is resonating as we build momentum to win in November.”
The 21-county 3rd Congressional District encompasses the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ottumwa and Winterset.
Lindsay James takes fundraising lead over Joe Mitchell after her primary win
James overtook Mitchell’s fundraising lead after she prevailed in a competitive three-way primary fight. She raised $755,587 in the most recent period and spent $238,974, leaving her with $755,838 in the bank.
Mitchell, the Trump-endorsed Clear Lake Republican, still has the overall cash advantage with $895,564 in his campaign coffers. He raised $377,769 and spent $359,871 in the most recent fundraising period.
Independent candidate Dave Bushaw from Hawkeye pulled in $12,555 in the latest cycle, giving him $11,570 in cash on hand. He spent $3,462.
Libertarian candidate Rick Stewart did not file a report by the time of publication.
The seat is open after sitting U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican, announced she would run for U.S. Senate to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst.
Chris McGowan maintains hefty lead in 4th District fundraising
Republican Chris McGowan, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president, comfortably kept his place atop the field in northwest Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, the state’s most deeply conservative district.
He raised $43,221 in the most recent period, pushing his cash total to $328,850 — a $279,088 advantage over former state Rep. Dave Dawson. Since winning a three-way primary in June, Dawson has raised $37,364.
Candidates in Iowa’s Nov. 3 general election faced a July 15 deadline to report their fundraising and spending. Most candidates’ reports cover May 14 through June 30, with the exception of Bridgford, whose figures date to April 1.
Candidates must file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission once they raise or spend more than $5,000.
Here’s a deeper look at how Iowa’s U.S. House campaigns fared with raising money.
1st Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-incumbent)
Christina Bohannan (D)
Michael Bridgford (I)
2nd Congressional District
Joe Mitchell (R)
State Rep. Lindsay James (D)
Dave Bushaw (I)
Rick Stewart (L)
Stewart did not file a report by the time of publication.
3rd Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-incumbent)
State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D)
4th Congressional District
Chris McGowan (R)
Dave Dawson (D)
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Exclusive: Iowa Democrats expand cash edge in key US House races
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
