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Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Image for Independent Michael Bridgford looks to shake up familiar race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District

Independent Michael Bridgford looks to shake up familiar race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District

KCCI · August 13, 2026

Michael Bridgford challenges Miller-Meeks, Bohannan as independent in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District race

Michael Bridgford challenges Miller-Meeks, Bohannan as independent in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District race

Iowa's 1st Congressional District has produced some of the closest congressional races in the country in recent years. This November, voters will see two familiar names on the ballot, along with an independent candidate who believes frustration with the two-party system gives him an opening.

Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Democrat Christina Bohannan are facing each other for the third consecutive election in the district, which covers 20 counties in southeast Iowa. But this time, independent Michael Bridgford is trying to break through, arguing that voters dissatisfied with both major parties are ready for another choice.

"I think there's an exhausted majority of Iowans that are really frustrated with a broken two-party system that's just not serving th…