Iowa

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

Published

1 month 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

11 beaches on Iowa DNR’s swimming not recommended list for July 4

Published

41 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

11 beaches on Iowa DNR’s swimming not recommended list for July 4

High temperatures over the Fourth of July weekend might have you looking to take a dip in one of Iowa’s lakes. But, you’ll want to be sure the water is safe for swimming before getting into the water.

A total of 11 state beaches are not recommended for swimming ahead of the holiday, up from 10 beaches last week.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides weekly updates on which state beaches are experiencing high levels of E. coli or algae that can be dangerous to swimmers. You can check the latest reports on the DNR website or by calling (515) 725-3434.

The DNR collects weekly samples at 41 state-owned swimming beaches to determine the public’s risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. Testing starts a week before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day.

What Iowa DNR beaches are not recommended for swimming?

Backbone Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last test date: July 1
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit and five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

Beeds Lake Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last test date: June 30
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli

Big Creek Beach

Beach classification: Less vulnerable
Last test date: June 30
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli

Black Hawk Beach

Beach classification: Less vulnerable
Last test date: June 30
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit and five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

Emerson Bay Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last test date: July 1
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit and five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

Lake Darling Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last test date: June 30
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit and five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

Lake of Three Fires Beach

Beach classification: Less vulnerable
Last test date: July 1
Test results: Exceeded algal toxin action level

Nine Eagles Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last test date: July 1
Test results: Exceeded five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

North Twin Lake West Beach

Beach classification: Less vulnerable
Last test date: June 30
Test results: Exceeded five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

Pine Lake South Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last test date: June 30
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit and five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

Prairie Rose Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last test date: June 30
Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit and five-sample Geomean standard for E. coli

Which Iowa beaches have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?

Two beaches have made it back onto the OK for swimming list since June 26:

North Twin Lake East Beach
Pleasant Creek Beach

Which Iowa beaches have special statuses?

Blue Lake Beach: Monitoring by DNR is currently suspended due to low lake water conditions and the closure of Lewis and Clark State Park.
Lake Keomah: Monitoring by DNR is currently suspended due to low lake water conditions. The DNR drained the lake in July 2024 for a major renovation and water quality improvement project that was set to last through spring 2026. The DNR warns people to stay out of the lake bed, which might look dry, but is soft and could quickly entrap people.

How does the Iowa DNR classify Iowa’s beaches based on their water quality?

DNR officials classify state park beaches into one of three categories annually based on their history of bacteria results in recent years:

Vulnerable: Beaches are considered vulnerable when the geometric mean standard is exceeded in three or more of the five most recent sampling seasons.
Transitional: The beach’s geometric mean standard is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the five most recent years of monitoring and was listed as “vulnerable” in the past monitoring seasons.
Less vulnerable: The beach’s geometric mean standard is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the five most recent years of monitoring and was listed as “transitional” or “less vulnerable” in past monitoring seasons.

Brian Smith is a senior editor and audience strategist at the Des Moines Register. Contact him at bsmith@dmreg.com.

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Iowa

One Year In, the Largest Tax Cuts in American History Are Delivering for Iowa

Published

11 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

One Year In, the Largest Tax Cuts in American History Are Delivering for Iowa

IOWA – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) today marked the one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts becoming law, highlighting the real savings and tax relief the legislation has delivered for Iowa families, workers, farmers, seniors, and small businesses.

Signed into law one year ago, the Working Families Tax Cuts have lowered taxes, increased take-home pay, and helped hardworking Americans keep more of what they earn.

“One year later, the Working Families Tax Cuts are delivering exactly what they promised: lower taxes, bigger paychecks, stronger family budgets, and real savings for hardworking Americans,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “Whether it is tax relief for seniors, workers earning overtime, families raising children, or farmers passing their operations on to the next generation, these policies are making a real difference. I will continue fighting for policies that put Iowans first.”

Background

One year after becoming law, the Working Families Tax Cuts continue to provide meaningful relief for millions of Americans through provisions including No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, tax relief for seniors, permanent protections for family farms, incentives to strengthen American manufacturing, and new $1,000 Baby Investment Accounts for eligible newborns.

Since enactment, the Working Families Tax Cuts have delivered:

Tax refunds increased by 11%, putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans.
No Tax on Tips: More than 7.5 million Americans have claimed the deduction, with an average tax benefit of over $7,000. By allowing workers to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tip income, servers, bartenders, hospitality workers, and others who rely on tips are keeping more of what they earn.
No Tax on Overtime: More than 29 million Americans have claimed the deduction, saving an average of over $3,100. This provision helps police officers, firefighters, nurses, EMTs, corrections officers, and countless other workers keep more of their overtime pay.
Social Security Tax Deduction: More than 35 million seniors have claimed the new deduction, receiving an average tax benefit of over $7,500. Eligible seniors can claim a $6,000 deduction, while married couples can receive up to $12,000, helping them afford everyday necessities and enjoy greater peace of mind after a lifetime of hard work.
Enhanced Child Tax Credit: Nearly 40 million families have claimed the expanded $2,200 Child Tax Credit, helping parents cover the costs of raising children and providing additional financial stability.
Doubled Standard Deduction: The law preserves the doubled standard deduction, benefiting over 90% of taxpayers and allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned income.
Protection for Family Farms: Delivered permanent relief from the ‘Death Tax’ and helps protect family farms ensuring there farms are passed down to kids and grandkids not sold to pay the IRS.
No Tax on Car Loan Interest: Allows eligible Americans to deduct interest on qualifying loans for new American-made vehicles.
Small Business Tax Deduction: Makes the 20% small business deduction permanent, giving Main Street businesses the certainty they need to invest, hire, and grow.
$1,000 Baby Investment Accounts: Provides eligible newborns with a $1,000 investment account, helping families begin building long-term financial security from the start of their child’s life.

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Cubs Minor League Wrap: Aaron Bummer, Liam Hendriks pitch for Iowa

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

Cubs Minor League Wrap: Aaron Bummer, Liam Hendriks pitch for Iowa

South Bend first baseman Josiah Hartshorn and right-hander Mason McGwire were named to the Futures Game roster.

Right-hander Kenten Egbert went back from Triple-A Iowa to High-A South Bend.

Right-hander Eduarniel Núñez, whom the Cubs designated for assignment last week, cleared waivers and was assigned to Iowa.

The Cubs signed third baseman Michael Hallquist from the Milwaukee Milkmen of the independent American Association and assigned him to South Benc.

Everyone lost tonight. That stinks.

The Iowa Cubs were chicken against the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 7-4.

Starter Doug Nikhazy didn’t make it out of the first inning. Nikhazy got pummeled for five runs on two hits and four walks while just retiring one batter. At least that one out was a strikeout.

Aaron Bummer made his Cubs debut in this game, pitching the sixth inning. Bummer faced four batters and retired three of them. The other one hit a solo home run. Bummer did not have a strikeout.

Liam Hendriks made his Cubs debut in the bottom of the seventh. He allowed a single and a walk, but no runs in his one inning of work. Hendriks struck out two.

Left fielder BJ Murray hit his tenth home run of the year with the bases empty in the sixth inning. Murray went 1 for 3 with a walk. He scored twice.

Right fielder Ben Cowles was 3 for 4 with a steal. He singled home Murray in the fourth innning.

Second baseman Owen Miller went 2 for 4 with a double and two steals, one of which was a steal of home as part of a double steal with Cowles. He drove in one with an RBI groundout. Miller also scored one run.

The double steal of second and home.

The Knoxville Smokies got squeezed by the Columbus Clingstones (Braves), 8-3.

Brooks Caple gave the Smokies a good start, but he ended up getting the loss anyways. Caple allowed two runs on three hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out three.

This game 2-1 Columbus until Frankie Scalzo Jr. gave up six runs in the top of the ninth.

Center fielder Andy Garriola hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth, his 17th on the season. Garriola went 1 for 4.

First baseman Edgar Alvarez was a perfect 3 for 3 with two doubles and a walk. He drove in one run.

The South Bend Cubs were dropped by the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins), 9-8 in ten innings.

Mason McGwire threw the first three innings and surrendered one run on three hits. McGwire struggled with control as he walked three and hit two batters. McGwire struck out two.

After the Cubs failed to score in the top of the tenth, Grayson Moore entered the game, trying to send the game to the 11th inning. Instead, he gave up a walk-off two-out RBI double. Moore’s final line was one run on one hit over two-thirds of an inning. The run was earned—the automatic runner was doubled off of second on a lineout. Moore did not walk anyone but he did hit a batter who turned out to be the winning run.

South Bend blew a 7-1 lead in this game after five-and-a-half innings.

In his affiliated baseball debut, second baseman Michael Hallquist hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat in the second inning. Hallquist went 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Catcher Logan Poteet hit his first South Bend home run in the sixth inning with the bases empty. It was Poteet’s 15th overall home run. Poteet went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored two runs and had two RBI.

DH Jose Escobar connected on a solo home run in the top of the seventh. It was his fourth home run with South Bend and sixth overall. Escobar went 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Poteet’s round-tripper.

Jose Escobar really got a hold of this one.

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were allergic to the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers), 6-2.

David Bracho started, gave up one run in the first, three in the second and two in the third. Bracho’s final line was six runs on seven hits over three innings. He walked three and struck out two.

Yoendris Gonzalez and Anhuar Garcia then each threw three innings of no-run, no-hit baseball. Both of them struck out five. Gonzalez walked one. Garcia hit one batter. It was Garcia’s Myrtle Beach debut.

Catcher Jairo Diaz hit an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth. He was 1 for 4.

Highlights, such as they are.

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