How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget, and the Senate also confirms federal judges and approves treaties. Statewide Amendment 1 would make it harder for the Legislature to raise income taxes.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words and who funds each campaign.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. The 1st District covers 20 counties in southeast Iowa, including Scott, Johnson, Cedar and Lee, under the map Iowa adopted in 2021, according to the Iowa Legislature’s district map law. ​

The seat has been among the closest in the country. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) first won a House seat by six votes in 2020 and beat Christina Bohannan by 799 votes in 2024, according to Iowa Public Radio’s race overview. A planned $15 billion steel plant in Lee County, the war with Iran, tariffs and farm costs have dominated the campaign.

Candidates In Brief

Democrat Christina Bohannan, 55, is a University of Iowa law professor and former engineer who worked on water quality for a government environmental agency, according to Bohannan’s Gazette questionnaire. Bohannan is running against Miller-Meeks for the third straight time and grew up in a town of 700 people.

Miller-Meeks, the Republican nominee, is an ophthalmologist who served 24 years in the U.S. Army as a private, nurse and doctor, according to Miller-Meeks’ House biography. Miller-Meeks directed the Iowa Department of Public Health from 2010 to 2014, served in the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2021 and joined Congress in January 2021.

Independent Michael Bridgford, 41, of Bettendorf, is a financial adviser and small business owner who grew up on a family farm outside the Quad Cities and holds an MBA from Northwestern University, according to Bridgford’s Gazette questionnaire. Bridgford says Bridgford has “voted for both parties.”

Where They Stand

Cost of living and tariffs. Bohannan would pass a middle-class tax cut, repeal the 2025 tax law’s breaks for the wealthiest and end “the chaotic tariffs.” Bohannan also says Miller-Meeks “has voted eight times for tariffs that are driving up the cost of fertilizer, agricultural equipment,” according to Iowa Public Radio’s debate coverage. Miller-Meeks asks Iowans to give tariffs and tax breaks time to work and has proposed pausing diesel exports and the gas tax. Bridgford would replace “blanket tariffs” with targeted trade policy and require health care price transparency.

The steel plant. Miller-Meeks stood with Trump in the Oval Office when Mesabi Metallics announced the Lee County plant, which promises 1,700 jobs. Bohannan says, “I would love to see 1,700 really good paying jobs come in there,” while Democrats have questioned the state’s tax incentive package.

Health care. Miller-Meeks points to the 2025 law’s Rural Healthcare Transformation Fund, which has sent more than $200 million to Iowa providers. Bohannan says the fund is small next to the law’s Medicaid cuts, which hospital leaders call “the oxygen that keeps rural healthcare alive.”

Iran and debt. Bohannan says Miller-Meeks voted five times for the Iran war, which is “driving up the cost of fuel and fertilizer.” Miller-Meeks says debt has grown under both parties and favors growing the economy over cutting spending. Bridgford says “Congress has abdicated their duty” on war powers over several administrations.

Abortion. Bohannan would restore Roe v. Wade in federal law and opposes the “Life at Conception” bill Miller-Meeks cosponsored. Bridgford opposes personhood bills, saying they “criminalize the care that can be necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman.”

Water and farms. Bohannan would restore voluntary federal conservation programs and enforce antitrust law against agriculture monopolies. Bridgford wants a new farm bill with stronger conservation incentives and opposes eminent domain for private carbon pipelines.

In Their Own Words

Christina Bohannan, in The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire:

“I hear about the cost of living everywhere I go in this district.”

Mariannette Miller-Meeks, on the steel plant, as reported by Iowa Public Radio on Wednesday, Oct. 28:

“This is part of making life more affordable in Lee County.”

Michael Bridgford, in The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire:

“Tackling the $2 trillion annual deficit is going to require both cutting expenses and raising revenue.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Bohannan and Miller-Meeks debated on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in a Gray Media debate aired on KCRG-TV. Bridgford was not invited and says Gray Media set a $1 million fundraising threshold without announcing it. Bridgford also says the major party candidates did not accept an Iowa PBS debate for which Bridgford qualified. Bohannan and Bridgford answered The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire.

Endorsements

Before the primary, President Donald Trump endorsed Miller-Meeks on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, writing, “SHE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” according to Iowa Capital Dispatch. Also before the primary, the American Federation of Government Employees endorsed Bohannan, according to the union’s announcement. The New Democrat Coalition Action Fund also backs Bohannan, according to the group’s endorsement release.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures are Federal Election Commission (FEC) totals for the 2026 cycle as shown on AllCiv’s Iowa 1st District race page as of Wednesday, Oct. 14. Bohannan reported raising $9.9 million and spending $7.9 million, with $2.1 million on hand. Miller-Meeks reported raising $9.1 million and spending $7.8 million, with $1.7 million on hand. Bridgford reported raising $338,000, with $77,000 on hand and $150,000 in debt.

A top Republican super PAC pulled its planned spending for Miller-Meeks a few weeks after the steel plant announcement, according to Iowa Public Radio. Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings, while smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total.

The Incumbent’s Record

Miller-Meeks serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and chairs the Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s Health Subcommittee. This Congress, Miller-Meeks has voted in 620 of 645 roll call votes and voted against most Republicans 17 times out of 583, according to AllCiv’s vote data. Miller-Meeks has cosponsored 263 bills, and bills Miller-Meeks sponsored drew 433 cosponsors, a total AllCiv ranks in the top quarter of the House.

Ads in the race have drawn fact-checks. A Miller-Meeks ad says Bohannan wants to defund the police, but it cites no Bohannan comments or votes, and PolitiFact Iowa rated the same claim false in 2021, according to the Iowa Independent. A Bohannan ad calls Miller-Meeks’ Washington, D.C., rental from a lobbyist a “sweetheart deal,” but KCRG found the $1,500 monthly rent in line with similar studios. KCRG confirmed that Miller-Meeks has received about $4 million from business PACs since 2019.

Challengers’ Records

Bohannan represented District 85 in the Iowa House from 2021 to 2023, according to Bohannan’s legislative record. Bridgford has not held public office.

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges, and approves treaties. The seat is open because Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)announced on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, that Ernst would not seek a third term.

Candidates In Brief

Democrat Josh Turek is a state representative (D-Council Bluffs) first elected in 2022. Turek is a four-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball with two gold medals and directs the Ryan Martin Foundation, according to Turek’s legislative biography. Turek won the Tuesday, June 2, Democratic primary.

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), the Republican nominee, of Marion, has represented northeast Iowa in Congress since 2021 and earlier served in the Iowa House and worked as a television journalist, according to Hinson’s Gazette questionnaire.

Libertarian Thomas Laehn, 44, of Jefferson, is the Greene County attorney and a former political science professor with a doctorate from Louisiana State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa, according to Laehn’s Gazette questionnaire. Laehn was first elected county attorney in 2018.

Where They Stand

Iran. Turek pledges to “fight to end this war in the U.S. Senate, day one” and wants a return to diplomacy, according to Iowa Public Radio’s Senate debate coverage. Hinson opposed a resolution to limit the president’s war powers but has called for the war to end. Laehn calls the war “immoral, unconstitutional, and contrary to our national interests” and would cut off funding for wars Congress has not authorized.

Immigration. Hinson opposed the 2024 Senate border bill, saying it “would have let uncapped numbers come across our southern border,” and calls Turek too liberal on the border. Turek broke with Democrats in 2024 to back a state bill letting police arrest people who reentered the country illegally, and backs earned citizenship for people who came to the country legally.

Cost of living. Hinson backs no tax on tips or overtime, permanently lower taxes on Social Security, reform of pharmacy benefit managers, year-round E15 fuel and child care cost relief. Hinson also says, “We cannot tax our way out of Washington’s spending problem.” Laehn calls inflation “the most pressing issue facing Iowa families” and supports a balanced budget amendment.

Data centers and water. Hinson says communities should decide on data centers and that data centers should supply their own power and water, and backs voluntary, locally led conservation to improve water quality. Laehn says “Congress has no jurisdiction to regulate data centers.”

Abortion and education. Hinson calls Hinson “pro-life and pro-family,” with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, and supports access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and over-the-counter birth control. Laehn is anti-abortion but says Congress lacks authority to pass personhood laws, and would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.

Ethics. Hinson accused Turek of taking a legislative per diem while missing work, and Turek accused Hinson of growing Hinson’s wealth in Congress. Hinson says the family sold its personal stocks in 2021 and that its added wealth came from the sale of a family business.

In Their Own Words

Ashley Hinson, at the Iowa PBS debate, Wednesday, Oct. 7:

“I’ll be President Trump’s ally when it is important for Iowa, but I will push back on him.”

Josh Turek, at the same debate:

“We need to have a pathway to earned citizenship for those that have come here legally.”

Thomas Laehn, in The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire, on campaign finance:

“Introduce major campaign finance reform legislation overturning Citizens United.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Turek and Hinson debated on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Press on Oct. 7, moderated by Kay Henderson, Stephen Gruber-Miller and Erin Murphy. They met again on WHO-13 on Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to the Des Moines Register. Laehn was not included in either debate. Hinson and Laehn answered The Gazette’s candidate questionnaire.

Endorsements

Before the primary, Trump endorsed Hinson, and Gov. Kim Reynolds endorsed Hinson in January, according to the Gazette’s report on the Reynolds endorsement, which notes Senate Majority Leader John Thune also backs Hinson. Former President Barack Obama endorsed Turek on Thursday, July 30, in a video of the two playing basketball, saying, “Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa,” according to Fox News.

Who Is Funding Them

These are FEC totals for the 2026 cycle as shown on AllCiv’s Iowa U.S. Senate race page as of Wednesday, Oct. 14. Turek reported raising $24.3 million and spending $21.2 million, with $3.1 million on hand. Hinson reported raising $14.1 million and spending $13.9 million, with $2.2 million on hand. Laehn reported raising $84,000, with $9,000 on hand.

The Incumbent’s Record

There is no incumbent in this race. Hinson’s House record: Hinson serves on the House Appropriations and Ethics committees and the House select committee on China, has voted in 635 of 645 roll call votes this Congress and voted against most Republicans eight times out of 597, according to AllCiv’s vote data.

Challengers’ Records

Turek is in a second term in the Iowa House and has not served in Congress. Laehn taught political science at McNeese State University for four years before law school and has not served in a legislature.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

Heritage Action for America, the AFL-CIO and the League of Conservation Voters publish scorecards that rate the House votes of Miller-Meeks and Hinson. Different groups score different sets of votes, so their ratings measure different things.

Also On Your Ballot

Amendment 1: Two-Thirds Vote for Income Tax Increases. A Yes vote would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers, 67 of 100 House members and 34 of 50 senators, to raise individual or corporate income tax rates or create a new state income tax. A No vote keeps the simple-majority rule. Local option taxes are not covered, and lawsuits over a bill’s passage would have to be filed within a year, according to Iowa Public Radio’s Amendment 1 explainer. The Legislature approved the amendment in 2024 and again in 2026, when the House passed SJR 11 57 to 21 on Sunday, May 3, according to the House floor vote record.

Iowans for Tax Relief President Chris Hagenow says it would protect taxpayers as political control shifts and calls warnings of cuts “scare tactics.” Common Good Iowa Executive Director Anne Discher says it could push lawmakers toward sales taxes, which weigh more on lower-income Iowans, and warns, “When we run out of the surplus dollars, hard decisions are going to be made.”

Johnson County Jail Bond. Johnson County voters will decide whether the county may borrow up to $94.5 million in general obligation bonds for a new sheriff’s office and jail, which needs 60% to pass, according to Johnson County’s election page. Your county auditor lists every city, school and county measure on your ballot.

Before You Go

Still Ahead

  • In-person early voting continues at county auditor offices through Monday, Nov. 2.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Register at the polls: You can still register at your precinct on Election Day by showing proof of identity and residence.
  • Mail ballots must reach your county auditor by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can’t drop a mail ballot off at your polling place, but you may surrender it there and vote in person, according to Election Protection’s Iowa guide.
  • ID: Bring an Iowa driver license or nondriver ID, U.S. passport, military or veteran ID, tribal ID or Iowa Voter ID card. Starting July 1, another voter can no longer vouch for your identity. A voter without ID may cast a provisional ballot and bring documents to the auditor by noon the Monday after the election.
  • Questions: Call the Iowa Secretary of State at 1-888-SOS-VOTE, or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Advance registration and mailed absentee requests closed at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Ballot Measures

Endorsements

Voting Information

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