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National Democrats spotlight congressional races in Iowa’s 1st and 3rd districts
Also in Campaign Almanac: Steen announces pastor coalition
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DES MOINES — Democrats running this year in Iowa’s 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts are two of a dozen candidates across the country receiving a boost from national Democrats as the party hopes to gain control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the political arm of U.S. House Democrats, announced Monday that Christina Bohannan, a University of Iowa law professor from Iowa City running in Iowa's 1st Congressional District, and state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, of West Des Moines, who is running in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, were added to the group’s “Red to Blue” program for the 2026 election cycle.
The program aims to bolster Democrats running in “highly competitive” races by providing them with strategic guidance, staff resources, training and fundraising support, according to the committee.
Both races are deemed competitive by political forecasters.
Iowa’s 1st District, represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is rated as a “Toss up” by the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball.
“A working mom, Christina is running for Congress to bring common sense solutions to Washington that put Iowans first,” the Democratic committee said in a news release Monday.
Bohannan was the Democratic candidate for the district in 2022 and 2024, losing to Miller-Meeks by fewer than 800 votes in 2024. Travis Terrell, a health care worker from Tiffin, also is running in the Democratic primary. Miller-Meeks faces a Republican primary challenge from David Pautsch, of Davenport.
Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, where Trone Garriott is mounting a challenge against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, is rated as a “Toss up” by Sabato’s Crystal Ball and was recently shifted from “Lean R” to “Toss up” by the Cook Political Report. Xavier Carrigan, of Waukee, is also running in the Democratic primary.
“Sarah Trone Garriott has spent her life showing up for her community, and now she’s running for Congress to continue that service: standing up to protect health care, get costs down, and always do what’s right for Iowa. A mom and a minister, Sarah is in this fight for Iowa families like her own, and she will win this race and work to make life more affordable for the hardworking families Zach Nunn has forgotten,” committee Chair Suzan DelBene said in a news release Monday.
Candidates earned a spot in the program by surpassing campaign organization and fundraising goals, according to the Democratic committee.
Iowa’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd Congressional Districts were named “in play” for the 2026 midterm elections by the committee last April.
U.S. House Democrats need to win an additional three seats in the midterms while holding onto their current seats to win a majority of the chamber.
The primary election is June 2.
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn files for re-election
Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn is officially running for re-election in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
Nunn announced Monday he filed for re-election to serve a third term, while touting endorsements from a "broad and growing coalition of Iowans."
“This morning, I officially filed for re-election in Iowa’s Third Congressional District,” Nunn said in a news release. “I’m grateful for the overwhelming encouragement we’ve received from families, small business owners, veterans, farmers, and community leaders across our district. Iowans want commonsense leadership that delivers results, and that’s exactly what we’re going to keep fighting for.”
The congressional race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the 2026 midterm elections. It is rated as a “Toss up” by Sabato’s Crystal Ball and was recently shifted from “Lean R” to “Toss up” by the Cook Political Report.
Nunn leads Democratic candidate and Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, of West Des Moines, in fundraising. Nunn reported raising more than $535,000 during the most recent fundraising period, while Trone Garriott raised about $430,000.
“Since taking office, Congressman Nunn has worked across party lines to deliver real results for Iowa families, cutting wasteful Washington spending, lowering costs at the kitchen table, defending Iowa agriculture, and ensuring our servicemembers and veterans receive the support they’ve earned,” Nunn's campaign manager Brendan Duffy said in a news release.
Iowa Teamsters endorse James in 2nd District
Iowa Teamsters, which includes the state’s largest union, is endorsing Iowa Democratic state Rep. Lindsay James, of Dubuque, in her run for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.
The group, representing public and private sector workers and members of law enforcement and health care workers, announced its endorsement Monday, saying James has “consistently stood” with the Iowa Teamsters and has pushed “back against corporate greed and special interests."
“As Iowa’s largest union, we represent workers from nearly every corner of the state’s economy. We see firsthand the challenges our working families face every day — and we recognize those who are truly fighting to make a difference,” Jesse Case, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 238, said in a statement Monday. “Lindsay James has consistently stood with the Iowa Teamsters, pushing back against corporate greed and special interests, and showing up when it mattered most. If we want Congress to put everyday people first again, it starts with electing Lindsay James.”
James, a Presbyterian chaplain, said she is “honored” to have the union’s endorsement.
“Iowans are working harder than ever to get ahead, but higher prices and stagnant wages are leaving hard working families behind,” James said in a statement. “In Congress, I’ll stand up to special interests and fight for better pay, lower costs, and an economy that works for all Iowans.”
Central Iowa trades group endorses Wahls
The Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council, made up of 16 local unions representing over 15,000 workers, is endorsing Democratic Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls’ U.S. Senate run.
Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is not running for re-election to the seat, making it an open race.
Wahls faces Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek, of Council Bluffs, and others in competing for the Democratic Party nomination in the June primary election.
In a letter to union members, the group deemed Wahls as “labor’s strongest candidate” in the race.
“Zach is a new generation of leadership rooted in Iowa values, and he understands what it takes to build strong communities: good union jobs, strong apprenticeship programs, and jobsites where every worker goes home safe at the end of the day,” the letter states.
Wahls said he is “proud” to have the union's backing.
“Iowa families are paying more while corporate interests and out-of-state CEOs rake it in, and too many politicians are bought and paid for,” Wahls said in a statement Monday. “I’m running to lower costs, take on corruption, and fight for an economy that rewards work, which means protecting good paying union jobs, strengthening apprenticeships, and making sure every worker gets home safe at the end of the day.”
Republican Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is running for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate seat.
Steen announces pastor coalition in his gubernatorial run
Former Iowa Department of Administrative Services director and pastor Adam Steen announced Monday a group of over 100 evangelical pastors backing his campaign for Iowa governor.
The Pastor Coalition, made up of pastors from 38 Iowa counties, will serve as a statewide network encouraging civic engagement and prayer, according to a news release from Steen's campaign.
Steen, a Republican from Runnells, has made his faith a centerpiece of his campaign, dubbing himself the "faith guy."
“I am incredibly humbled and energized by the support of pastors from 38 counties across Iowa,” Steen said in a statement. “These are men and women who shepherd families, counsel the hurting, preach truth without apology, and serve their communities faithfully every week. Their support isn’t about politics as usual, it’s about the future of our state. There is real faith momentum building across Iowa, and it’s because people are hungry for courageous leadership that will stand unapologetically for life, religious liberty, and the values that make Iowa strong.”
Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
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