With the announcement of Congresswoman Cindy Axne’s victory, Iowa will send a majority-female delegation to Congress next year for the first time in state history.
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst was reelected, and state Rep. Ashley Hinson appears poised to win Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. The results in the 2nd District are not clear yet, but with 90.5% of precincts reporting, Rita Hart leads by less than 1 percentage point. The 4th District race is the only federal contest in Iowa not to include a female candidate. Candidates for Senate, and the 1st and 2nd congressional districts all are women.
Axne defeated former congressman David Young 49% to 47.6%.
Iowa did not elect a woman to federal office until 2014 when Republican Sen. Joni Ernst succeeded Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin. In 2018, Axne and Finkenauer made history as the first women from the state elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nationwide, three states have majority-female congressional delegations: Nevada (four women, two men); New Hampshire (three women, one man); and Washington (seven women, five men).
“I can’t tell you how long we knocked on the door to get where we are now,” said Andy McGuire, former chair of the Iowa Democratic Party and a 2018 candidate for governor, in an interview following the June primaries.
By Elizabeth Meyer
Posted 11/3/20
Iowa Starting Line is an independently-owned progressive news outlet devoted to providing unique, insightful coverage on Iowa news and politics. We need reader support to continue operating — please donate here. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more coverage.
Politics
Biden marks Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in solar grants
The Biden administration on Monday announced the recipients of its Solar For All Program, a $7 billion climate program that aims to lower energy...
6 terrifying things that could happen if the Comstock Act is used to target abortion
Does 1873 sound like a really, really long time ago? Well, that’s because it is—but if Republicans and far-right anti-abortion activists have their...
Local News
No more Kum & Go? New owner Maverik of Utah retiring famous brand
Will Kum & Go have come and gone by next year? One new report claims that's the plan by the store's new owners. The Iowa-based convenience store...
Here’s a recap of the biggest headlines Iowa celebs made In 2023
For these famous Iowans, 2023 was a year of controversy, career highlights, and full-circle moments. Here’s how 2023 went for the following Iowans:...