Democratic challengers have outpaced Republican incumbents in fundraising in two of Iowa’s battleground U.S. House races, an early sign of momentum in the fight for control of Congress.
University of Iowa law professor Christina Bohannan and state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott of West Des Moines, both Democrats, surged ahead of GOP incumbents in Iowa’s 1st and 3rd congressional districts during the fundraising period spanning Jan. 1 through March 31, new reports show.
The latest fundraising figures are another indicator of how pivotal both races are as national Democrats and Republicans wrestle for control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
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 far outraised the three-term sitting lawmaker this quarter, bringing in $2.09 million to Miller-Meeks’ $1.49 million.
And Trone Garriott, who is hoping to block GOP U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn from securing a third term in south-central Iowa’s 3rd District, which includes Des Moines, trumped Nunn in fundraising for the first time this election cycle.
She posted a $1.69 million haul in the first quarter, more than her campaign raised in all of 2025, compared with Nunn’s $1.27 million.
“This campaign is growing because people across Iowa’s 3rd District know Washington is failing working families,” Trone Garriott said in a statement. “Costs are too high, health care is getting harder to afford, and too many politicians are looking out for themselves instead of the people they serve. These numbers are a sign that our message is resonating with Iowans who are ready for a representative who will lower costs, stand up to corruption and actually deliver results for the people of this district.”
Although the pair of Democrats had their strongest quarters yet, Miller-Meeks and Nunn maintain overall heftier war chests as they gear up for close reelection bids.
Bohannan trails Miller-Meeks by more than $300,000 in cash on hand. Nunn has about $850,000 more in his campaign coffers than Trone Garriott.
Nunn campaign manager Brendan Duffy said in a statement the latest figures show that “while millions in outside spending pour into this race, we’re building the resources and operation needed to take our message directly to voters and win.”
Both Bohannan and Trone Garriott are part of the first slate of candidates in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s competitive “Red to Blue” program.
With this designation, U.S. House Democrats’ campaign arm trumpets these candidates as some of the top contenders to secure the majority. It helps usher in additional resources to win these races, two of the nation’s most targeted.
But it’s still relatively early in the cycle, and Miller-Meeks and Nunn have Republicans’ full backing with endorsements from President Donald Trump and House leaders.
Nonpartisan analysts with Cook Political Report consider both matchups a “tossup,” meaning either party has a fair shot at victory.
Bohannan gains ground on Miller‑Meeks’ cash advantage
Miller-Meeks tallied $1.49 million in the first quarter of 2026, pushing her total raised so far this election cycle to nearly $6.08 million.
The Ottumwa Republican has more than $4.3 million in her campaign account as she touted “bipartisan support from families in every corner of our district.”
“We are building a coalition of voters who want practical values and proven results,” Miller-Meeks said. “While out-of-touch politicians push radical policies that make everyday life more expensive for working families, I will keep fighting to lower costs, fiercely protect Medicare and Social Security, and ensure our communities remain safe, strong and free.”
Bohannan’s total raised so far this cycle hit $5.22 million, leaving her with about $4 million stockpiled.
Republican David Pautsch, who is challenging Miller-Meeks for the GOP nomination for a second time, reported holding $11,324 in cash on hand after raising $9,670 in the fourth quarter. He unsuccessfully challenged the incumbent in 2024 for the party’s nomination in the 1st District.
Democrat Travis Terrell, a University of Iowa Health Care worker from Tiffin, raised most of his money this quarter, tallying $5,307 and having a little less than that sum in cash on hand.
The 20-county 1st Congressional District includes the cities of Davenport, Iowa City, Keokuk and Indianola.
Nunn boasts larger war chest despite Trone Garriott’s strong quarter
Democrats have rallied behind Trone Garriott as she and Nunn run unopposed in the June primary, leaving more room for major donations to flow her way.
State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, dropped her congressional bid in January. Xavier Carrigan, of Waukee, who was looking to mount a challenge from the party’s progressive wing, did not qualify for the primary ballot and is running a longshot write-in campaign.
Trone Garriott reported $2.19 million in cash on hand after posting more than $3.1 million raised since launching her campaign last May.
Nunn’s campaign tapped funds from its “Team Nunn” joint committee, a setup that lets campaigns and political groups pool efforts to raise money from larger donors. The Ankeny Republican reported raising $1.27 million in the first quarter, bumping his cash on hand to $3.04 million — $851,814 more than his Democratic challenger.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Iowans who continue to stand with our campaign and invest in our mission to deliver real results across all 21 counties,” Nunn said in a statement. “From lowering costs for families to keeping our communities safe, we’re focused on commonsense solutions that put Iowa first. This support shows we have the momentum to keep fighting and winning for Iowans.”
The 21-county 3rd Congressional District encompasses the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ottumwa and Winterset.
Mitchell maintains firm 2nd District lead
Former state Rep. Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake remains the clear frontrunner in the GOP primary race for Iowa’s 2nd District.
The seat is open after sitting U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican, announced she would run for U.S. Senate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.
Mitchell, who has been endorsed by Trump, tops the field in fundraising after tallying about $627,083 this quarter, bumping his cash on hand to $878,738.
“We are proud to raise these significant resources l without relying on corporate PACs who just want to buy influence. It’s a reflection that our message is working,” Mitchell said in a statement. “We are not taking anything for granted. The far-Left want this congressional seat to undo policies that have made our nation safe, secure and prosperous.”
State Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, remains in the race, although he raised just $831 during the quarter.
State Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, continues to lead the Democratic field in fundraising, with about $288,009, followed by former Cedar Rapids nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Ball, who tallied $131,948.
McGowan consolidates 4th District GOP support
Trump’s endorsement cleared the 4th Congressional District Republican primary field, leaving Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan the party’s lone candidate in the race.
He raised $118,453 this quarter, boosting his overall campaign coffers to $379,109 to spend as he runs for Congress in Iowa’s most deeply red district.
Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes never filed paperwork to get on the ballot. And Republicans Christian Schlaefer and state Rep. Matt Windschitl ended their campaigns earlier this year.
Former state Rep. Dave Dawson leads the Democratic fundraising field over Stephanie Steiner and Ashley WolfTornabane with $34,874 raised. Steiner has not filed a report for this quarter.
Candidates must file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission once they raise or spend more than $5,000.
Here’s a look at how Iowa’s U.S. House campaigns are faring with raising money.
1st Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Republican
David Pautsch, Republican
Christina Bohannan, Democrat
Travis Terrell, Democrat
2nd Congressional District
State Sen. Charlie McClintock, Republican
Joe Mitchell, Republican
Kathy Dolter, Democrat
State Rep. Lindsay James, Democrat
Clint Twedt-Ball, Democrat
Dave Bushaw, independent
3rd Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, Republican
State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, Democrat
4th Congressional District
Chris McGowan, Republican
Dave Dawson, Democrat
Stephanie Steiner, Democrat
Steiner had not filed a fundraising report by the time of publication.
Ashley WolfTornabane, Democrat
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: Iowa Democrats outraise Republican incumbents in 2 key US House races
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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