JUST IN: GOP Hangs On To Critical House Seat, Inches Closer To Majority

In a razor-thin race, Decision Desk HQ has called a victory for Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, bolstering the GOP’s path to a renewed House majority.

The GOP narrowly held on to a critical seat in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, with Decision Desk HQ calling the race for incumbent Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. As of 10:10 AM EDT, the projection shows Miller-Meeks winning with 50.1% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan, who garnered 49.9%.

Decision Desk HQ projects Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) wins the US House election in Iowa’s 1st congressional district.#DecisionMade: 10:10 AM EDT

Follow live results here:https://t.co/eMuZD8ZEjm pic.twitter.com/hgGcTdnKrK

— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) November 7, 2024

With Miller-Meeks’ victory, Republicans inch closer to reclaiming a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, with a tight margin of 206,669 votes to Bohannan’s 205,874.

A 69-year-old physician, Miller-Meeks has held the district since 2020, when she initially won the seat by a similarly narrow margin. Known for her emphasis on healthcare reform, she has represented a district that historically fluctuates between parties, making her seat a “must-win” for Republicans eager to regain the majority.

Her opponent, Christina Bohannan, a 53-year-old law professor and University of Florida graduate, focused her campaign on protecting abortion, advocating for healthcare access, and supporting economic policies aimed at benefiting working-class families. Bohannan’s legal expertise and progressive platform positioned her as a strong contender, making this one of the most closely-watched races in Iowa.

Miller-Meeks initially ran unsuccessfully for Iowa’s 2nd congressional district in 2008, 2010, and 2014, losing to Democrat Dave Loebsack. She opposed the Affordable Care Act, same-sex marriage, and abortion (with exceptions), and criticized EPA regulations. In 2020, after Loebsack’s retirement, Miller-Meeks ran again for the 2nd district, winning by six votes over Democrat Rita Hart. The result was certified despite Hart’s challenge to the outcome. After redistricting, she won in Iowa’s 1st district in 2022 against Bohannan before their rematch this cycle.

In Congress, Miller-Meeks has taken varied stances: she voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, co-sponsored the America’s CHILDREN Act on immigration, and supported the January 6 commission. On LGBT issues, she backed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, expanding protections for transgender individuals, and voted for the Respect for Marriage Act to protect same-sex marriage. She also supported an antitrust measure to curb anti-competitive corporate practices.

Republicans now edge closer to the 218-seat threshold needed for House control.

The GOP currently has a slim lead in the House with 220 members to the Democrats’ 212, and three seats remain vacant. 19 crucial House races are still undecided. To secure a majority, Republicans need to win 10 more seats, whereas Democrats require 32 additional seats. Following gains in the Senate and the White House, Republicans, led by President-elect Donald Trump, are poised to take full control of the federal government after January 20, 2025. With a unified GOP, initiatives such as tax cuts and enhanced border control measures could be more readily implemented. As of Thursday morning, several House races remain too close to call, and neither party has yet secured a majority.

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