Incumbent Iowa Republican says Dem House opponent ‘wasting taxpayer money’ with recount

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the incumbent Iowa Republican seeking re-election to the House, has accused her Democratic opponent, Christina Bohannan, of “wasting taxpayer money” by pursuing a recount of their close contest. The race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District has not been called by the Associated Press yet, with Miller-Meeks leading Bohannan by just 801 votes. Bohannan requested a recount last week, which has led to tensions between the two candidates.

Miller-Meeks took to social media to express her frustration, stating, “Four counties in IA-01 have completed their recounts and I’ve gained 2 votes. Once again Christina Bohannan and the Dems are wasting taxpayer money.” Despite the recount, Miller-Meeks remains confident in her lead and has previously declared victory in the race.

Congressional election observers from the House Committee on Administration have been deployed to Iowa to monitor the uncalled race. Bohannan’s campaign released a statement last week, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring that “every voter is heard” and pledging to accept the results regardless of the outcome.

The outcome of the race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District holds significance for Republicans, who have already secured a razor-thin House majority. A GOP victory in Iowa would provide the party with some flexibility in the next Congress, allowing for dissent without impeding President-elect Trump’s agenda.

In addition to the race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, Republican incumbents held onto Iowa’s three other congressional seats. Zach Nunn, Ashley Hinson, and Randy Feenstra emerged victorious in the 3rd, 2nd, and 4th Districts, respectively, fending off challenges from Democratic opponents.

The balance of power in the House of Representatives currently stands at 219 seats for Republicans and 213 seats for Democrats. Two races in California’s 13th and 45th Congressional Districts remain uncalled, with Republican incumbents defending their seats by narrow margins.

The race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District marks a rematch between Miller-Meeks and Bohannan. In the previous election in 2022, Miller-Meeks defeated Bohannan by a more substantial margin of 7 percentage points. Miller-Meeks first earned a seat in Congress representing Iowa’s 2nd District in 2020, winning by just six votes against Democrat Rita Hart.

As the recount in Iowa continues to unfold, the results will have implications for the balance of power in the House of Representatives. Stay tuned for updates on this closely contested race.

Source: Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and the Associated Press