Congressional election observers are being deployed to Iowa to monitor the recount in an uncalled House race. The House Committee on Administration, responsible for overseeing federal elections, announced the deployment of Congressional Election Observers to Iowa for the recount of the First Congressional District race.
Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisc., emphasized the importance of ensuring an accurate count of all legal ballots. He stated, 'We must make sure that every legal ballot is counted accurately.' The committee's GOP leadership commended the record number of Congressional Election Observers recruited this Congress, highlighting their commitment to fairness and accuracy in election results.
The recount was requested by Democrat Christina Bohannan's campaign in her bid against Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for Iowa's 1st District seat. Initial results show Bohannan trailing Miller-Meeks by fewer than 1,000 votes, less than a percentage point.
This race is a closely contested rematch from 2022, where Miller-Meeks emerged victorious by 7 percentage points. Miller-Meeks, who won her first term in Congress by a mere six votes in 2020, has declared victory and expressed confidence in her lead.
Miller-Meeks' campaign accused Bohannan and other Democrats of being 'election deniers' and labeled the recount as a delaying tactic to undermine the will of the people. In response, Bohannan's campaign stated that the recount aims to ensure that every voter's voice is heard and expressed full trust in the process, pledging to accept the results regardless of the outcome.
The deployment of Congressional Election Observers is part of a GOP poll watcher program initiated by the House in September to enhance election security. The Election Observer Program was established to bolster accountability efforts in House races expected to have narrow margins.
Republican incumbents retained Iowa's three other congressional seats, with victories in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Districts. The competitive 3rd District saw Zach Nunn defeating Democrat Lanon Baccam, while Ashley Hinson and Randy Feenstra secured decisive wins in the 2nd and 4th Districts, respectively.
With Republicans securing enough seats in the House, the party has completed a sweep into power alongside President-elect Trump.
