Democrats outraise GOP incumbents in 2 House races, Hinson leads in Senate funds

Iowa Democratic candidates in two competitive congressional races outraised GOP incumbents in the most recent Federal Election Commission reports — but in the U.S. Senate race, Republican Ashley Hinson stayed in the fundraising lead ahead of two Democratic hopefuls for the open seat.

In the fundraising period from Jan. 1 through March 31, reports found University of Iowa law professor Christina Bohannan outraised incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa’s 1st District. In the 3rd District, state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott raised more than Republican incumbent Zach Nunn.

Bohannan reported raising nearly $2.09 million during the first quarter of 2026 — more than a half-million above Miller-Meeks’ fundraising for the period at $1.49 million. The incumbent Republican still has more money at her disposal in the race with $4.32 million cash on hand at the end of the period. Bohannan — who also ran against Miller-Meeks in 2022 and 2024, when she lost by a margin of less than 800 votes — ended the first quarter with $4 million in campaign reserves.

While Democrats celebrated Bohannan’s high fundraising totals for the year, Miller-Meeks’ campaign said in a statement her fundraising totals show strong support from across the state, saying in a news release the $4.3 million in reserves “establishes the largest war chest ever reported by an Iowa congressional candidate.” The release also noted Miller-Meeks received support from Democrats, Republicans and independents across the district.

“I went to Congress to take an independent stance for the people of Iowa, and I am honored by the overwhelming bipartisan support from families in every corner of our district,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement. “We are building a coalition of voters who want practical values and proven results. While out-of-touch politicians push radical policies that make everyday life more expensive for working families, I will keep fighting to lower costs, fiercely protect Medicare and Social Security, and ensure our communities remain safe, strong, and free.”

Neither Miller-Meeks or Bohannan are officially their party’s nominees for the 1st District — both face challenges in the upcoming June 2 primary.

David Pautsch, a Republican running in the primary against Miller-Meeks, reported raising $9,670 in the first reporting quarter of 2026, and ends the period with $11,324 cash on hand. Travis Terrell, a University of Iowa Health Care employee running in the Democratic primary, raised $5,307 in the most recent period and has $5,277 cash on hand, according to FEC reports.

Other candidates who were running for the seat have left the race. Taylor Wettach, a former attorney, suspended his campaign in January and announced he would run for state auditor.

Nunn holds lead in cash on hand

The Democratic primary race has also consolidated in Iowa’s 3rd District. State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, who was previously House minority leader, also suspended her campaign in January and endorsed Trone Garriott. Xavier Carrigan, who was running as a progressive candidate, did not qualify for the June ballot, but announced his intentions to run as an independent candidate in the general election. This means both Nunn and Trone Garriott are running unopposed in the primary.

Similar to the 1st District race, the Democratic challenger outraised the incumbent Republican in the first reporting period — Trone Garriott reported raising $1.69 million, more than Nunn’s $1.26 million fundraising total. However, Nunn is ending the period with $3.04 million cash on hand, while Trone Garriott ends the period with $2.19 million.

Nunn’s campaign said the totals show a strong start for his reelection campaign in 2026, with Nunn saying in a statement the fundraising figures show “we have the momentum to keep fighting and winning for Iowans.”

“This strong financial start to 2026 shows the broad support behind Zach Nunn and his record of delivering for all Iowans,” Nunn’s Campaign Manager Brendan Duffy said in a news release. “That’s why he’s one of the top ten most bipartisan members of Congress. While millions in outside spending pour into this race, we’re building the resources and operation needed to take our message directly to voters and win.”

But Trone Garriott said her campaign received more contributions and support in 2026 because voters in the 3rd District are ready to have a different representative in Congress.

“This campaign is growing because people across Iowa’s Third District know Washington is failing working families,” Trone Garriott said in a news release. “Costs are too high, health care is getting harder to afford, and too many politicians are looking out for themselves instead of the people they serve. These numbers are a sign that our message is resonating with Iowans who are ready for a representative who will lower costs, stand up to corruption, and actually deliver results for the people of this district.”

Groups organizing to help Democrats win a majority in the U.S. House have labeled Iowa’s 1st and 3rd congressional districts as potential pick-ups for Democrats in the 2026 midterms, and have called for Democrats to support Bohannan and Trone Garriott’s campaigns. Political forecasters including the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball have both labeled these races as a “toss-up” heading into the election season.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm for House Democrats, added the two Iowa seats to the organization’s “Red to Blue” program in February, providing support for Democrats running in “highly competitive” districts.

Republican leads fundraising in open 2nd District

Though there is less national attention on Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, Democrats argue the race is more competitive this election cycle than in previous years. It’s an open seat as current Rep. Ashley Hinson announced she will run for U.S. Senate seat left open by Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking reelection. The race is rated “likely Republican” by forecasters including Cook Political Report.

But in the most recent FEC reports, Republican Joe Mitchell, a former state lawmaker who founded the conservative youth organization Run Gen Z, has maintained a lead over Democratic candidates. He reported raising $627,083 in the first quarter of 2026 and ends the period with $878,738 cash on hand.

In a news release, Mitchell said his campaign was “proud to raise these significant resources without relying on corporate PACs who just want to buy influence.”

“It’s a reflection that our message is working,” Mitchell said in a statement. “We are not taking anything for granted.”

State Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, is also running to become the GOP nominee for the seat, and reported raising $831 during the quarter.

The 2nd District will also have a competitive Democratic primary in June, with three candidates competing for the nomination. State Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, led in fundraising among the primary field with $288,009, ending with $434,340 in campaign reserves. Clint Twedt-Ball, the founder of the nonprofit Matthew 25, reported $131,948 in fundraising for the quarter with $154,822 cash on hand.

These two candidates outpaced other Democrats running in the race in fundraising — Kathy Dolter, former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College, reported raising $8,005 during the period. Guy Morgan, a Boone Democrat, did not report any fundraising during the period, but ended with $1,620 in cash reserves.

McGowan leads 4th District fundraising

The 4th District seat, long considered a Republican stronghold, is one of several open seats on the Iowa 2026 ballot as U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra runs for Iowa governor, but it is predicted to remain in GOP control.

Many Republican candidates announced running to become the party nominee, including Rep. Matt Windschitl, former Iowa House majority leader, Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes and Christian Schlaefer, a 29-year-old software consultant from Lakota — but these candidates have since dropped out as GOP support consolidates around Chris McGowan, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president, after he was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

McGowan reported raising $118,453 during the first 2026 FEC reporting period, and ends with $379,109 cash on hand.

Three candidates are running to become the Democratic nominee in the district — former state Rep. Dave Dawson reported raising $34,874 during the period, and Democrat Ashley WolfTornabane raised $8,886. Stephanie Steiner, who is also running for the seat, did not yet file an FEC report as of Friday.

Hinson leads fundraising among U.S. Senate candidates

Hinson holds a massive fundraising lead in comparison to the other candidates aiming for the U.S. Senate seat. She reported raising $2.36 million in the filing period — reaching a total of more than $3 million when also considering fundraising by authorized committees, according to her campaign. She ends the period with a war chest of more than $6.5 million.

Hinson faces former state Sen. Jim Carlin in the Republican primary. He who raised $46,783 for the period, according to FEC reports.

Addie Lavis, Hinson’s deputy campaign manager, said Iowans “of all walks of life and all political parties” are uniting behind Hinson’s campaign as Democrats fight to choose a nominee.

“While (Sen. Chuck) Schumer and Democrats squabble over their eventual nominee, Republicans are united behind Ashley,” Lavis said in a statement. “She will continue to earn every single vote — bringing together Iowans across party lines who want commonsense solutions, not partisan bickering and grandstanding.”

Turek, Wahls in tight race

Lavis’ comments reference the primary battle between state Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville and state Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs. Both candidates fell short of Hinson’s fundraising totals, but were neck-and-neck in fundraising during the most recent period.

Turek edged out Wahls in fundraising by just $222 — he raised a total of $1,122,303 from Jan. 1 through March 31, while Wahls raised $1,122,081.

A news release from Turek’s campaign said the Paralympic athlete had “outraised the primary field since launching his campaign last summer,” and raised more money through campaign donations under $50 in comparison to both Wahls and Hinson.

Turek released his campaign’s first statewide television ad Friday, titled “Push,” where he says he opposes cuts to Medicaid, abortion bans and other actions by Trump and Republicans.

“Iowans feel like they’re pushing uphill, and I know exactly what that feels like,” Turek said in the ad. “Because it’s working class families like mine paying the price for Trump’s war and Washington’s corruption. In the Senate, I’ll take on Trump, and no one will push harder for change.”

The group VoteVets has spent at least $2.5 million airing ads in Iowa markets, introducing Turek’s campaign to Iowans earlier this year, according to the Des Moines Register. Wahls has criticized Turek for receiving support from the super PAC, which he said had connections with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Wahls said in a statement that his campaign still outpaces Turek in overall campaign fundraising — having raised a total of $3.17 million during the full election cycle while Turek raised a total of $2.8 million. Wahls also ends the period with more cash on hand at $1.05 million to Turek’s $757,480.

Wahls’ campaign highlighted recent surveys and polling that show higher favorability for his chances as the Democratic nominee running against Hinson, alongside the fundraising totals, as proof of his strength heading into the June primary.

“Iowans are powering this campaign — and these numbers show it,” Wahls said in a statement. “My campaign is about putting power back in the hands of Iowans and ending the handouts to Washington insiders and special interests. I’m going to fight Donald Trump’s rampant corruption so we can work on actually lowering costs for Iowans.”

Libertarian Thomas Laehn, who is also running as a candidate for the Senate seat, announced raising $4,070 during the quarter.