Republicans got some good news when a GOP state senator beat out a Democrat by just six votes in Iowa for a congressional seat.
GOP Take Back a Seat
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) defeated former state Sen. Rita Hart (D) by just a few votes.
The Republican had lost to Democrat Rep. David Loesback in the 2008, 2010 and 2014 general elections. However, Loesback announced his intention to retire last year which gave Miller-Meeks an in to secure the seat.
Miller-Meeks was originally elected to the Iowa state Senate in 2018 with her term being set to end in 2023.
The 2nd District was one of the most competitive areas in the state according to polling. Hart was shown leading 49 percent to 43 percent in an October poll but Miller-Meeks leading 48 percent to 44 percent in an August survey.
Competition was High
Both political parties spent millions of dollars. According to The Hill, “the race featured some of the highest spendings by both the National Republican Congressional Committee, which spent $3 million and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which spent $2.8 million.”
On Monday, Iowa officials certified Miller-Meeks as the winner for the open seat in the U.S. House which was one of the closest races in a congressional election.
“That race alone reinforces that every vote counts and can make a difference,” said Secretary of State Paul Pate, Iowa’s commissioner of elections and a canvass board member.
Board Certifies the Republican
The state Board of Canvass voted 5-0 Monday afternoon to certify Miller-Meeks as the winner over Hart by a count of 196,964 to 196,958.
The same board which includes Gov. Kim Reynolds also certified Donald Trump as the winner in Iowa which granted him the state’s six electoral votes. The board consists of three Republicans and two Democrats.
Hart’s campaign said it might seek legal action to try and challenge the close race in order to try and regain the seat.