House Race in Iowa May Come Down to Single Digits

The tightest House race of 2020 could be settled by single digits — or a hat draw.

The battle for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, where Democrat Rep. Dave Loebsack is retiring, pit GOP state Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks against Democrat Rita Hart. 

Hart called for a recount of the unofficial Nov. 3 election results, which initially showed Miller-Meeks with a 47-vote lead. 

But the race got even tighter: Miller-Meeks is now holding onto a 35-vote lead, according to unofficial results on the Iowa secretary of state's website Wednesday. 

The Quad-City Times reported both campaigns confirmed Hart gained over 30 votes in Scott County and could trim Miller-Meeks' lead to single digits. 

The Washington Examiner noted the race is crucial to both parties. House Democrats lost seats Nov. 3 and could wind up with a slim majority of about 222 in the 435-member chamber.

House Republicans see Iowa's 2nd District as a pickup opportunity that would help put them within striking distance of winning a majority in the 2022 midterms.

But if the race comes down to a tie, the candidates' names will be placed into a hat, and the winner's name will be drawn, the news outlet reported.

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