Three Iowa Democrats have defeated Republican incumbents or candidates in congressional races, shifting the state’s U.S. House delegation in the 2026 election.
In Iowa’s First Congressional District, Democrat Christina Bohannan defeated Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. The victory marks Bohannan’s third attempt to win the seat. In 2024, Bohannan lost to Miller-Meeks by 799 votes. This year’s unofficial results show Bohannan leading by more than 30,000 votes.
Speaking to supporters in Iowa City, Bohannan said the election demonstrated the importance of voter participation and bipartisan support. Miller-Meeks issued a written statement describing the results as disappointing, while thanking her supporters and saying the fight was not over.
In Iowa’s Second Congressional District, Democrat Lindsay James defeated Republican Joe Mitchell. James said her campaign faced doubts about whether a Democrat could win the traditionally Republican-leaning district.
During an interview with Radio Iowa, James said she heard concerns from voters about past election disappointments but remained focused on bringing people together. She also expressed excitement about serving alongside the other Democratic women elected to represent Iowa in Congress.
In the Third Congressional District, Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott defeated Republican Congressman Zach Nunn by approximately nine percentage points, according to unofficial results.
Speaking to supporters in Des Moines, Trone Garriott said her campaign focused on hope, improving government services and addressing concerns affecting Iowa families. She identified health care, lowering costs, tariffs and the war as issues she intends to address in Congress.
Nunn, who was seeking a third term, thanked supporters and said he remained committed to representing Iowa’s values. He also indicated that he would continue working to support Iowans despite the election outcome.
Republican Chris McGowan defeated Democrat Dave Dawson in Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District by approximately 50,000 votes. McGowan will be the only Republican representing Iowa in the U.S. House delegation.
Speaking to supporters in Sioux City, McGowan acknowledged the challenges of entering Congress as a freshman member of the minority party. He said he intends to represent his constituents and their values.
McGowan has identified reducing the national debt, which has reached approximately $40 trillion, as one of his priorities.
With the election results, Iowa will send three Democratic women and one Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in the next Congress.
