Third time the charm? Democrat Christina Bohannan tries again in pivotal US House race in Iowa

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) — Political newcomer Christina Bohannan, a university professor from Iowa City, aims to unseat Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 1st Congressional District of Iowa. Despite her three previous attempts, Bohannan lost to Miller-Meeks in both 2022 and 2024 by narrow margins. In a recent Sunday afternoon, Bohannan held court at a roadside bar and grill in Columbus Junction, a rural county where Trump's support was overwhelming two years ago.

She attributes her long learning curve as a Democratic candidate to the district's vast size and difficulty in building trust with voters. Bohannan's campaign has been aggressive in rural counties she lost in the past, but she is also reaching out in Johnson County and Scott County, which are among the most competitive areas in the district.