Iowa's 1st Congressional District election, 2026
|
← 2024
|
| Iowa's 1st Congressional District |
|---|
 |
| General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: March 13, 2026 |
| Primary: June 2, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Race ratings |
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Toss-up Sabato's Crystal Ball: Toss-up |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th Iowa elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 |
All U.S. House districts, including the 1st Congressional District of Iowa, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.
Candidates and election results
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
- Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
- Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Iowa District 1
The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) | |
 | Christina Bohannan (D) | |
 | Bob Krause (D) | |
Travis Terrell (D)  | ||
| Taylor Wettach (D) | ||
 | Grant Hill (R) | |
 | David Pautsch (R) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I'm Travis Terrell, a working-class Democrat running for Congress in Iowa's 1st District. I grew up in Ottumwa and now live in Tiffin. I have worked most blue collar jobs under the sun and continue to be a part of the paycheck to paycheck working class. I know what it feels like to struggle, to stretch a paycheck, and to be ignored by politicians who claim to represent us. I launched this campaign with no corporate donors and no political machine behind me—just the belief that regular people deserve a voice in Washington. I’m fighting for Medicare for All, a $17 minimum wage, labor rights, immigration reform, and a real plan to address the doctor shortage hitting our rural communities. When my mom, who broke her back working and had to go back to work just to get by, told me she was scared of losing her Social Security, I knew I had to do something. This campaign is about people like her, like my sister who walked the picket line during a strike, like the veterans who came home to nothing but broken promises. I'm not a polished politician. I’m a fighter who’s tired of the corruption, the excuses, and the same old names being recycled while nothing changes. I will not take a dime of corporate PAC money, and I’ll never put my own profits above the people I serve. We need bold action, not more lip service. If you’re ready for someone who works for you, not the billionaires, I’m ready to fight."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "My name is Grant Hill, and I'm running for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 88. I was raised with strong conservative values—faith, family, and hard work—but life taught me to see the world through a wider lens. After going to prison, I saw firsthand how broken our systems are—especially for those trying to rebuild. That experience gave me deep empathy and a firm belief in second chances. I’ve managed restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and retail stores. I’ve worked in factories, landscaping, and nonprofits. I’ve earned close to six figures a year—and I’ve also lived on food stamps and Medicaid. I’ve seen every side of the system. I know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, and I understand the struggles Iowa families face—because I’ve lived them all. I’m not a polished politician. I’m a fighter with real-life experience who wants to bring accountability, transparency, and compassion to our state government. I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I’ll show up in every town, listen to your concerns, and fight to make your voice heard at the Capitol. I believe our district deserves someone who’s not tied to party agendas but committed to serving the people. That’s what I offer."
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Iowa
Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
| Collapse all
Grant Hill (R)
I've lived every side of life in Iowa—managing businesses, working blue-collar jobs, earning near six figures, to surviving on food stamps and Medicaid. I understand the struggles of District 88 because I’ve lived them. I'm not a career politician—I'm a working Iowan who will fight for everyday people.
Redemption and Reform
My journey includes incarceration, and I’m not hiding from it. I’ve seen firsthand how broken our justice and rehabilitation systems are. I believe in second chances and in policies that help people rebuild—not keep them trapped. I’ll work for smart, compassionate reforms that reflect both accountability and mercy.
Your Voice, Not My Agenda
Travis Terrell (D)
I support Medicare for All and expanding rural healthcare. I’ve already written policy ready to introduce on day one to get us on that track. I will fight to lower drug prices, increase access to doctors, and make sure no Iowan has to skip care because they can’t afford it.
Raise wages and protect workers.
I support a $17 minimum wage, stronger union rights, fair scheduling, and overtime protections. I will push to put real power back in the hands of working people, not CEOs.
End corruption and corporate control.
Grant Hill (R)
2. Mental Health and Addiction Services – expanding access to treatment over incarceration, and investing in recovery programs that deal with root causes. 3. Economic Opportunity – raising wages, supporting small businesses, and creating new ways for people to earn and build wealth, including through local job creation and incentives like plasma donation centers. 4. Religious Liberty – especially within institutions like prisons, where hope and faith can be a lifeline.
5. Government Transparency – pushing for open offices, accessible leaders, and policy shaped by real people.
Travis Terrell (D)
I care deeply about labor rights. I’ve walked picket lines after picket line I know what it’s like to work long hours and still struggle to get by. That’s why I wrote a Worker Protection and Power Restoration Act to raise wages, strengthen unions, and hold corporations accountable.
I’m also focused on immigration reform, Social Security, and fighting corruption. I want a government that works for the people—not the rich, not the well-connected.
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
An elected official should listen more than they speak, represent the people over their own agenda, and be willing to admit when they’re wrong. They should show up—in every town, every meeting, every tough conversation—and be transparent, accountable, and accessible.
Above all, they should never forget who they work for: the people.
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
I’m also transparent, unafraid to speak the truth, and deeply committed to serving others over self. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do have the willingness to listen, learn, and lead with humility. I want to be a voice not just for the privileged—but for everyday Iowans who’ve been overlooked, counted out, or silenced.
What sets me apart isn’t what I’ve avoided—it’s what I’ve overcome.
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
More than anything, I hope to leave behind a legacy of hope, accountability, and compassion. I want to inspire others—especially the forgotten, the formerly incarcerated, and the struggling—to believe they still have a purpose. I want to change how we see justice, how we treat one another, and how we lead with love and truth.
If I can help open even one door for someone else to step into their calling, then my time in office will have been worth it.
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
But I refused to stay down. I’ve worked every day to become better—not just for myself, but to be a voice for those who don’t get second chances. Turning that pain into purpose has been the hardest and most rewarding journey of my life.
That struggle gave me empathy, grit, and the fire to fight for those who’ve been counted out. It’s why I’m running—and it’s why I won’t stop.
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
The governor should set a vision, but the legislature should represent the voice of the people in shaping how that vision is carried out. Lawmakers shouldn’t be rubber stamps, nor should they play political games just to score points. We’re elected to work together, not against each other.
I believe in open communication, transparency, and a willingness to find common ground—even with those we may disagree with politically.
Grant Hill (R)
1. Workforce Retention and Development – Young people are leaving our state in search of better opportunities. We need to invest in skilled trades, technology training, and job creation to keep Iowa competitive and livable for the next generation.
2. Mental Health and Addiction – Our healthcare systems are overwhelmed, especially in rural areas. Without serious investment in mental health care and addiction recovery services, we’ll keep treating symptoms instead of healing root causes.
3. Corrections and Criminal Justice Reform – Our prisons are overcrowded and under-resourced. We must focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment—especially for nonviolent offenders—and hold our own Department of Corrections accountable.
4. Agricultural Resilience – As climate change and global markets evolve, we need to ensure our farmers have the tools, support, and freedom to thrive—while preserving Iowa’s land and water for future generations.
Grant Hill (R)
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12, “The body is not made up of one part but of many.” Just like in the Church, government works best when every part—every perspective, every background—has a role. We need both the experienced and the outsiders to build something strong and representative.
I believe the most important quality isn’t experience in politics—it’s a willingness to listen, learn, and lead with integrity. That’s how real change happens.
Grant Hill (R)
Good policy doesn’t come from isolation—it comes from conversation, from finding common ground, and sometimes from learning something new by listening to someone else’s perspective. I believe in respectful debate, open minds, and servant leadership.
You don’t have to compromise your values to cooperate—you just have to remember that the goal is to serve the people, not your ego.
Grant Hill (R)
Grant Hill (R)
Grant Hill (R)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
For too long, correctional officers have been allowed to operate with little oversight, and in some cases, have even contributed to the flow of drugs inside our prisons. I was personally told by IDOC leadership that some officers hadn’t been tested since they were hired—despite years of complaints and red flags. That’s unacceptable.
This bill is named in honor of Kathleen Findley, whose case exposed deep flaws in accountability within the prison system. It's time we hold those in power to the same standards we hold incarcerated individuals. Safety, integrity, and transparency should apply on both sides of the bars.
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
Public Safety Committee – to promote transparency in law enforcement and corrections, ensuring safety and accountability in our communities.
Health and Human Services Committee – to expand access to mental health care, addiction treatment, and vital services for low-income and working families.
Economic Growth or Commerce Committee – to champion small businesses, drive local job creation, and support innovative approaches to rural development.
Iowa Department of Government Efficiency Oversight – to cut waste, eliminate bloated bureaucracy, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and transparently.
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
I support open budgets, regular public reporting, and legislation like my proposed Open Office Act, which would require representatives to maintain regular in-district office hours and make all non-confidential communications available for public review. Too many politicians disappear after getting elected—I believe in showing up, staying accessible, and being held accountable.
Trust in government starts with truth. And I’m here to rebuild that trust, one honest decision at a time.
Travis Terrell (D)
Grant Hill (R)
That said, it must be transparent, fact-based, and protected from special interest manipulation. We need to make sure it uplifts the voices of everyday Iowans—not just those with money and influence.
Letting the people lead is never a bad idea. I trust Iowans to speak for themselves.
You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:
Campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariannette Miller-Meeks | Republican Party | $2,328,693 | $586,028 | $2,116,408 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Christina Bohannan | Democratic Party | $813,506 | $101,136 | $819,588 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Bob Krause | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Travis Terrell | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Taylor Wettach | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Grant Hill | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| David Pautsch | Republican Party | $17,420 | $10,172 | $12,946 | As of June 30, 2025 |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
|||||
General election race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]
| Race ratings: Iowa's 1st Congressional District election, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| 9/2/2025 | 8/26/2025 | 8/19/2025 | 8/12/2025 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
| Decision Desk HQ and The Hill | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. | |||||||||
Ballot access
This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.
District history
The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.
2024
See also: Iowa's 1st Congressional District election, 2024
Iowa's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)
Iowa's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated Christina Bohannan and Nicholas Gluba in the general election for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) | 50.0 | 206,955 |
| Christina Bohannan (D) | 49.8 | 206,156 | |
 | Nicholas Gluba (L) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 967 | ||
| Total votes: 414,078 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Christina Bohannan advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Christina Bohannan | 99.3 | 13,870 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 92 | ||
| Total votes: 13,962 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated David Pautsch in the Republican primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 55.9 | 16,529 |
| David Pautsch | 43.9 | 12,981 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 60 | ||
| Total votes: 29,570 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated Christina Bohannan in the general election for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) | 53.4 | 162,947 |
| Christina Bohannan (D) | 46.6 | 142,173 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 260 | ||
| Total votes: 305,380 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Christina Bohannan advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Christina Bohannan | 99.7 | 37,475 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 110 | ||
| Total votes: 37,585 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 98.7 | 41,260 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.3 | 546 | ||
| Total votes: 41,806 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kyle Kuehl (R)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Ashley Hinson defeated incumbent Abby Finkenauer in the general election for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ashley Hinson (R) | 51.2 | 212,088 |
 | Abby Finkenauer (D) | 48.6 | 201,347 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 434 | ||
| Total votes: 413,869 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Incumbent Abby Finkenauer advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Abby Finkenauer | 99.3 | 72,474 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 482 | ||
| Total votes: 72,956 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1
Ashley Hinson defeated Thomas Hansen in the Republican primary for U.S. House Iowa District 1 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ashley Hinson | 77.8 | 38,552 |
 | Thomas Hansen | 21.9 | 10,845 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 152 | ||
| Total votes: 49,549 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Darren White (R)
District analysis
This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.
See also
| Iowa | 2026 primaries | 2026 U.S. Congress elections |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Voting in Iowa Iowa elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 |
Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries |
U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
