For the third election in a row, Marianette Miller-Meeks secured the Republican seat for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District and defeated David Pautsch.
This primary marks the second meeting of the two candidates following 2024, when Miller-Meeks defeated Pautsch by 12 percent. Miller-Meeks will face Christina Bohannan for the third time for the District One House seat. The AP called the race at 9:10 p.m. with 72 percent of the vote going to Miller-Meeks.
Miller-Meeks entered the race as a projected favorite. She has served in the House of Representatives since 2023, focusing on healthcare and veterans affairs. Miller-Meeks released a statement following her win over Pautsch.
According to his website, David Pautsch is a self-proclaimed “constitutional, MAGA Republican.” The owner of the Ramsey Ad agency in Davenport garnered endorsements from former House Republicans Brad Sherman and Luana Stoltenberg. When Pautsch put in his bid in February 2025, he claimed he wanted to “help President Trump save America from the financial and moral corruption.”
The win for Miller-Meeks sets the stage for a third rematch against Christina Bohanan. Their 2024 race was extremely close, with less than an 800-vote margin between the candidates. Following a recount, Miller-Meeks was confirmed to be the winner with 206,955 votes.
“I’ve beaten Christina Bohannan twice because I fight for Iowa values, while she fights for a woke agenda Iowa families can’t afford. This November, with your help, we will keep fighting for Iowa.” Miller-Meeks said in a statement on Tuesday.
I’m humbled and honored to be your Republican nominee for Iowa’s First District, and grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me. Our fight for Iowa families is far from over! pic.twitter.com/9rsW56nZvX
— Dr. Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks) June 3, 2026