Iowa

Iowa Democrats outraise House GOP incumbents ahead of Iowa’s primary

Published

3 weeks ago

May 23, 2026

Iowa Democrats outraise House GOP incumbents ahead of Iowa’s primary

Democratic challengers continued to outpace GOP incumbents in fundraising as they prepare to turn the page on primaries and brace for a hotly contested November election.

University of Iowa law professor Christina Bohannan and state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott of West Des Moines, both Democrats, led GOP incumbents in Iowa’s 1st and 3rd congressional districts during the last fundraising period before the June 2 primary, new reports show.

The latest figures are a signal of how heavily national Democrats and Republicans will pour money into these races as they battle for control of Congress in the November midterm elections.

Bohannan, of Iowa City, is trying for a third time to unseat U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in southeastern Iowa’s 1st District after a narrow 2024 loss. She out-raised the Ottumwa Republican, raking in $543,861 this period.

And Trone Garriott, who is looking to stop GOP U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn from securing a third term in south-central Iowa’s 3rd District, which includes Des Moines, tallied $811,849 this period.

Nonpartisan analysts with Cook Political Report consider both matchups a “tossup,” meaning either party has a fair shot at nabbing the seat.

Frontrunners in Iowa’s 1st District both keeping hefty war chests

Democratic and Republican frontrunners in the 1st District have their sights set on the general election, each continuing to stockpile major cash to gear up for a tough contest once they officially stave off primary challenges from their left and right flanks.

Bohannan’s latest haul bumps her campaign coffers to $4.3 million, giving her more money in her overall war chest for the first time this cycle.

Miller-Meeks tallied $423,146 this period, pushing her cash on hand to $4.2 million — trailing her Democratic challenger by $88,188.

Republican David Pautsch, who is challenging Miller-Meeks for the GOP nomination for a second time, has $9,892 in the bank after raising $3,825 this period. He unsuccessfully challenged the incumbent in 2024 for the party’s nomination in the 1st District, though he came within 12 percentage points of ousting her, despite low fundraising and name ID.

Democrat Travis Terrell, a University of Iowa Health Care worker from Tiffin, did not file a report by the time of publication.

The 20-county 1st Congressional District encompasses the cities of Davenport, Iowa City, Keokuk and Indianola.

Trone Garriott leads, Nunn has more money overall

Trone Garriott had strong fundraising game this period, raking in more than three times the amount of Nunn’s $264,209 haul.

But the Ankeny Republican kept more money in the bank, boasting $3.2 million to Trone Garriott’s $2.7 million in cash on hand.

Neither candidate has an opponent on the June 2 primary ballot.

The 21-county 3rd Congressional District encompasses the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ottumwa and Winterset.

Mitchell keeps lead in 2nd Congressional District fundraising

Republican former state Rep. Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake continues to lead northeastern Iowa’s 2nd District in fundraising, bringing in $225,000 and spending $226,000.

State Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, leads the Democratic field with $130,000 raised and $325,000 spent. Former Cedar Rapids nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Ball raised $73,000 and spent $153,000.

The seat is open after sitting U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican, announced she would run for U.S. Senate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

Dawson leads Democrats, but McGowan tops 4th District

Republican Chris McGowan, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president, topped the field of northwest Iowa’s 4th District contenders as his party’s lone candidate in the race for Iowa’s most deeply conservative district.

He raised $9,610 this period, pushing his campaign coffers to $375,342.

Former state Rep. Dave Dawson leads the Democratic fundraising field over Stephanie Steiner and Ashley WolfTornabane with $8,626 raised.

Candidates in Iowa’s June 2 primary faced a final preprimary deadline on May 21 to report their fundraising and spending. The candidates’ reports cover April 1 through May 13.

Candidates must file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission once they raise or spend more than $5,000.

Here’s a look at how Iowa’s U.S. House campaigns fared with raising money.

1st Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-incumbent)

Raised this period: $423,146
Raised this election cycle: $6,500,517
Spent this period: $493,468
Spent this election cycle: $2,663,708
Cash on hand: $4,246,864

David Pautsch (R)

Raised this period: $3,825
Raised this election cycle: $57,495
Spent this period: $5,257
Spent this election cycle: $53,302
Cash on hand: $9,892

Christina Bohannan (D)

Raised this period: $543,861
Raised this election cycle: $5,759,611
Spent this period: $214,004
Spent this election cycle: $1,575,850
Cash on hand: $4,335,052

Travis Terrell (D)

Terrell did not file a report by filing deadline.

2nd Congressional District

State Sen. Charlie McClintock (R)

Raised this period: $1,378
Raised this election cycle: $17,322
Spent this period: $45
Spent this election cycle: $1,201
Cash on hand: $16,121

Joe Mitchell (R)

Raised this period: $224,678
Raised this election cycle: $1,560,824
Spent this period: $225,750
Spent this election cycle: $683,158
Cash on hand: $877,666

Kathy Dolter (D)

Raised this period: $18,546
Raised this election cycle: $73,292
Spent this period: $19,396
Spent this election cycle: $71,310
Cash on hand: $1,982

State Rep. Lindsay James (D)

Raised this period: $130,277
Raised this election cycle: $872,614
Spent this period: $325,392
Spent this election cycle: $633,389
Cash on hand: $239,225

Clint Twedt-Ball (D)

Raised this period: $72,590
Raised this election cycle: $537,637
Spent this period: $153,278
Spent this election cycle: $463,503
Cash on hand: $74,133

3rd Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-incumbent)

Raised this period: $264,209
Raised this election cycle: $4,231,246
Spent this period: $143,837
Spent this election cycle: $1,455,505
Cash on hand: $3,160,505

State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D)

Raised this period: $811,849
Raised this election cycle: $3,892,746
Spent this period: $294,028
Spent this election cycle: $1,186,605
Cash on hand: $2,706,141

4th Congressional District

Chris McGowan (R)

Raised this period: $9,610
Raised this election cycle: $636,623
Spent this period: $13,377
Spent this election cycle: $261,281
Cash on hand: $375,342

Dave Dawson (D)

Raised this period: $8,626
Raised this election cycle: $98,357
Spent this period: $15,711
Spent this election cycle: $61,895
Cash on hand: $36,462

Stephanie Steiner (D)

Steiner’s financial report is not yet available through the FEC. She told the Des Moines Register she filled out her paperwork by hand and mailed it to the organization. She said she is unsure why her information isn’t reflected in the FEC’s online portal.

She shared copies of her paper documents with the Register that showed the following:

Raised this period: $1,701
Raised this election cycle: $20,743
Spent this period: $1,745
Spent this election cycle: $20,508
Cash on hand: $235

Steiner’s fundraising reflects a $1,000 loan she issued her campaign during the most recent fundraising period, which brings the total she’s loaned her campaign over the election cycle to $9,000.

Ashley WolfTornabane (D)

Raised this period: $5,140
Raised this election cycle: $22,548
Spent this period: $2,206
Spent this election cycle: $14,043
Cash on hand: $8,505

Des Moines Register reporters Brianne Pfannenstiel and Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed to this article.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

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Iowa

Eight months after the fact, board discloses charges against Iowa nurse

Published

10 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Press Room

Eight months after the fact, board discloses charges against Iowa nurse

POLK COUNTY, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Eight months ago, a state licensing board charged an Iowa nurse with multiple regulatory violations, including soliciting or accepting money from a patient. This week, for the first time, the Iowa Board of Nursing publicly disclosed those charges.

The records show the board has charged Abbriel Rae Mitchell, 44, of Roland with five separate regulatory violations: violating patient confidentiality or privacy rights; soliciting, borrowing, or misappropriating money or property from a patient; committing an act that causes physical, emotional or financial injury to a patient; participating in or attempting to initiate a sexual, social or business relationship with a patient; and engaging in behavior that is contradictory to professional decorum.

As is customary with the Board of Nursing, it has publicly disclosed no information as to the alleged conduct that gave rise to the charges or indicated when or where that conduct is alleged to have taken place.

State records indicate the board’s investigation of the matter was initiated in 2024. The charges were formally approved by the board on Oct. 8, 2025, but were made public only this week in the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing’s official Notice of Board Action for the month of June 2026.

It’s not clear why the charges were not publicly disclosed last year. In recent months, DIAL has indicated questions about the numerous licensing board errors and lengthy delays in public disclosure of disciplinary charges are best directed to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. That office has, in turn, referred such questions back to DIAL.

Board records indicate Mitchell was first authorized to work in Iowa as a licensed practical nurse in July 2005.

A hearing on the charges against her is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2026.

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Iowa

Iowa State women’s basketball, home-and-home league opponents announced

Published

20 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Iowa State women’s basketball, home-and-home league opponents announced

The Iowa State women’s basketball team will face a trio of its old Big 8 opponents at home and on the road next season during conference play.

The Cyclones’ home-and-home league partners for the 2026-27 campaign are Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, the Big 12 announced June 11.

Iowa State’s home-only opponents are BYU, Colorado, Houston, TCU, Texas Tech and Utah. The Cyclones get Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, UCF, Cincinnati and West Virginia on the road only.

The unbalanced schedule — with just three home-and-home opponents — has been in place since the league expanded to 16 teams.

It will be a pivotal season for the Cyclone program after losing nine players to the transfer portal, including stars Audi Crooks, Addy Brown and Jada Williams.

Dates, times and broadcast information will be released later this summer.

Iowa State columnist Travis Hines has covered the Cyclones for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or (515) 284-8000. Follow him on X at @TravisHines21.

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Iowa

Rob Sand says audit shows PBMs may be overcharging Iowa taxpayers

Published

1 day ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Rob Sand says audit shows PBMs may be overcharging Iowa taxpayers

State Auditor Rob Sand said pharmacy benefit managers who work with Iowa’s Medicaid program appear to be overcharging taxpayers by using prohibited pricing techniques.

But Sand said he wasn’t able to get a full picture of the financial impact to the state’s Medicaid program because the three pharmacy benefit managers that work with Iowa Medicaid did not provide certain financial records and other information his office requested.

“We believe that Iowans deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent and that PBMs shouldn’t be allowed to rip off taxpayers by hiding behind what they say is proprietary information,” he said at a news conference Wednesday, June 10.

At issue is the use of what is known as effective rate pricing, which Sand said allows PBMs to claw back payments previously made to pharmacies at the end of the year. That results in “spread pricing,” which the audit says occurs when the PBM receives a larger reimbursement payment from the Medicaid managed care organization it works with than the PBM pays to the pharmacy.

Sand said spread pricing is prohibited under Iowa Medicaid.

“It can inflate costs for taxpayers, reduce the quality of care and create financial hardships for pharmacies,” he said. “That’s especially true for the independent pharmacies in smaller communities.”

Sand’s office released a report Wednesday covering transactions from 2019 to 2021. While incomplete, he said it showed the effective rate reconciliations for one of the three PBMs that works with the state totaled $100 million over that time period.

“That’s $100 million that Iowa taxpayers may have been overcharged,” Sand said. “We believe it to be even more than that because despite the fact that we made repeated requests and negotiated, the PBMs still at the end of the day withheld critical financial information.”

Sand said his office hired a firm called 3Axis Advisors that has performed similar work in other states to assist with the audit, at a cost of about $30,000.

Sand’s report recommends banning year-end reconciliations and requiring PBMs, managed care organizations and other state contractors to provide unrestricted access to information for the auditor’s office.

The report says there should be additional regulations on PBMs to separate Medicaid payments from non-Medicaid payments and to remove pricing variability from PBM contracts.

Sand, a Democrat who is the party’s nominee for governor, earlier this year released a health care platform pledging to crack down on pharmacy benefit managers.

Last year, Iowa lawmakers passed legislation placing several new regulations on PBMs, including requiring them to pay higher reimbursement rates to pharmacies.

A federal judge partially blocked portions of the law last summer while a lawsuit is pending from a coalition of business groups. It is awaiting an appeal.

Sand praised the law as “very good” but said “I think there’s a lot more that could be done.”

“The regulations that were contained in it would prevent some abuses,” he said. “But again, I think it’s very important to emphasize that auditors need to have access to this information to make sure that taxpayers are being protected, and they’re not being ripped off.”

Heather Nahas, a spokesperson for Gov. Kim Reynolds, said Iowa has recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in improper fees charged to pharmacies.

“For the last several years, Gov. Reynolds and Iowa lawmakers have been leading the fight against abusive PBM practices, advancing reforms, strengthening oversight and defending those efforts against repeated challenges,” she said in a statement.

Nahas called Sand’s report “irrelevant and outdated,” saying the data he looked at does not reflect current practices at Iowa’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services or Medicaid pharmacy oversight.

Nahas said the report includes recommendations that Iowa Medicaid implemented more than three years ago.

“The auditor may be late to the game, but he’s finally arrived at the same conclusion that Iowans, the Republican legislature, and the Reynolds administration have known for years: PBM practices demand scrutiny, transparency and reform,” she said. “The difference is we’re doing something about it.”

Sand said his efforts to gather data were delayed by resistance from the PBMs and by a Republican-passed law, Senate File 478, that blocks the auditor from going to court against other state entities to force them to turn over documents.

“It took absolutely forever to get all of this data, to go back and forth with the PBMs, to evaluate legal claims about trade secrets or about SF 478,” he said. “And so as usual with this industry everything is much murkier and slower moving than any reasonable person would expect.”

Stephen Gruber-Miller is the Capitol bureau chief for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com, by phone at 515-284-8169 or on X at @sgrubermiller.

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