Miller-Meeks reelected to Congress following recount, Jasper County results unchanged

Results from the districtwide recount of Iowa’s 1st Congressional District race confirm that Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is, indeed, the victor over Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan, who has contested the two-term seat a second consecutive time. The race was decided by 798 votes.

In a notice published by the Jasper County Auditor’s Office, it stated the results of the recount did not change and therefore there would not be another canvass.

Miller-Meeks issued a press release after being declared the winner, calling her near-800 vote gap an “insurmountable lead” and describing Bohannan a “failed congressional candidate” whose recount would cost Iowa taxpayers almost $20,000. This effectively amounts to a fraction of a penny per person in the district.

The recount certainly won’t break the bank for Iowans. But nevertheless it puts an end to one of the most contested races in the state and throughout the country. Miller-Meeks said she is deeply honored to have the recount completed and once again secure her reelection for a third term.

“I want to thank the election officials, volunteers and recount boards who worked tirelessly, even during this holiday week,” Miller-Meeks said. “I am now looking forward to getting back to work in Washington to lower prices at the gas pump, grocery store and on prescription drugs, secure the border and help farmers.”

Bohannan congratulated Miller-Meeks on her victory and hoped that during the congresswoman’s next term “she will listen to Iowans and deliver for the hardworking people who depend on her to represent them.” It was not the result Bohannan wanted, but she was proud of her campaign.

“We exceeded all expectations and turned a district that many pundits thought was unwinnable into one of the very closest races in the country,” she said.

Bohannan commended her campaign for standing up to “the political establishment and corporate special interests that have taken advantage of hardworking Iowans for far too long.” The Democrat was grateful to the thousands of Iowans who joined the campaign and believed in her.

“And I am honored by the roughly half of Iowans in this district – people of all political parties – who voted for me to be their next congresswoman,” Bohannan said. “Although I won’t be able to represent them in Washington, D.C. this January, I want them to know that I will continue our important work of putting Iowa first.”

Earlier this month, the Bohannan campaign declared it wanted a full recount of the congressional district race in all 20 counties, including Jasper County. At that time, results from the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office showed Miller-Meeks leading by just 802 votes. It was close, but not nearly as close as four years ago.

In 2020, the race between Miller-Meeks and Democrat Rita Hart was decided by only six votes in the Republican’s favor. Still, the Bohannan campaign said it wanted to be absolutely certain every voter was heard and asked for a recount as permitted by state law, much to the dismay of many Republicans.

The Bohannan campaign said it would accept results regardless of outcome. Because the margins were close enough for a recount, the Associated Press had not yet called an election winner for the Miller-Meeks and Bohannan race prior to the recount. Associated Press officially called the race on the afternoon of Nov. 27.

Here is Miller-Meeks’s full statement after the recount:

I am deeply honored to have the recount completed and once again secure reelection so I can continue serving the hardworking people of southeast Iowa. I want to thank the election officials, volunteers, and recount boards who worked tirelessly, even during this holiday week. I am now looking forward to getting back to work in Washington to lower prices at the gas pump, grocery store and on prescription drugs, secure the border and help farmers.

Here is Bohannan’s full statement after the recount:

I want to thank our election officials and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure every lawful vote was counted in this election. And I especially want to thank Iowans for their patience during this process. I congratulate Mariannette Miller-Meeks on her victory. In her next term, I hope she will listen to Iowans and deliver for the hardworking people who depend on her to represent them.

Although this is not the result we wanted, I am so proud of our campaign. We exceeded all expectations and turned a district that many pundits thought was unwinnable into one of the very closest races in the country. But what’s more important is that this was a campaign of values. We stood up to the political establishment and corporate special interests that have taken advantage of hardworking Iowans for far too long. We fought for our fundamental freedoms and for an economy where people who work hard cannot only get by, but get ahead. We reached across political divides to solve our toughest problems, restore faith in our government, and make a better future for our children and grandchildren.

I am grateful to the thousands of Iowans who joined our grassroots campaign for believing in me, sharing these values, and giving of their precious time and treasure to make our ideals a reality.

And I am honored by the roughly half of Iowans in this district – people of all political parties – who voted for me to be their next congresswoman. Although I won’t be able to represent them in Washington DC this January, I want them to know that I will continue our important work of putting Iowa first.