Iowa 1st District
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 118 of 125 votes and bills.
Raised $9,101,898 since January 2025: 46% from people, 31% from PACs and other committees, 22% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Christina Bohannan
Democrat · law professor, former Iowa state representative
D-Liberty Score D-62 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Bohannan has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Bohannan.
Raised $9,905,570 since January 2025: 83% from people, 9% transfers and other income, 7% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: A, 95 out of 100 from recorded votes. Christina Bohannan: D-, 62 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Iowa: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Christina Bohannan, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Bohannan, so the grade above comes from this list: what Bohannan has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Asked about the Iran war, she called it irresponsible and said Congress should have ended it months ago.
“The war in Iran is irresponsible, with no end in sight.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Calling for Congress to end military action against Iran is the same side as war powers limits aimed at stopping that action.
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In a TV interview she listed ending the Iran war as one of the quick ways to lower the cost of living.
“Get rid of the tariffs and the Iran War,”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Calling for the war to end, with no policy, bill or vote named, does not settle the Iran regime measure.
-
Bohannan called Israel an ally and the democracy in its region, and said the US must help it defend itself against Iran.
“Israel is our ally in that region. It’s the democracy in the region.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally and backing its defence is with liberty on free nations.
-
Bohannan said she supports some aid to Ukraine and that the US should push back against Putin, while asking that the spending make sense.
“So I support some aid to Ukraine, and we need to protect democracy and push back against Vladimir Putin.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing aid to Ukraine against Putin is with liberty on free nations.
-
Bohannan's campaign site defines freedom as including free speech for everyone whatever their views.
“the right of free speech for all regardless of your views or political beliefs”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A general line about free speech for all names no censorship, speech law or platform pressure, so it does not settle this measure.
-
She says she opposes a single-payer health system and wants private insurance kept as an option.
“I oppose forcing everyone onto Medicare, so I oppose a single-payer system.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government-run health care for everyone is with liberty by this test.
-
She wants insulin capped at $35 a month for everyone.
“Cap insulin costs at $35 per month for all Americans”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A government cap on a price is a price control, which is against liberty by this test.
-
She wants to prohibit hedge funds and private investors from buying family homes and land.
“Prohibiting hedge funds and private investors from buying up Iowa's family homes and land and artificially raising rents”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A new ban on what private buyers may purchase is added regulation of the market, the opposite of less regulation.
-
She says the tariffs should be repealed.
“The tariffs must be repealed.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Broad tariffs are against liberty by this test, so calling for their repeal is the opposite, the with side.
-
At the 2024 debate with Mariannette Miller-Meeks, said she supports securing the border.
“Yes, I do support securing the border. We have to secure the border”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is the first thing the borders principle counts for liberty.
-
Asked about immigration, she said she wants a secure border and comprehensive reform with a lawful process for immigrants.
“I support comprehensive immigration reform that fixes our broken immigration system and creates a lawful and orderly process for immigrants.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
She backs both border security and reform but names no amnesty, path to citizenship or deportation policy, so the words do not settle it.
Also on the ballot
Michael Bridgford (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Iowa 1st District
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