Dem Rita Hart Drops Attempt to Overturn Election Results in Iowa’s 2nd District After McCarthy Calls out Pelosi’s ‘Power Grab’

The spot in Congress is finally secure for U.S. House Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) after months of political wrangling, including an appeal to the House of Representatives.

Democrat and former Congresswoman Rita Hart announced today that she is withdrawing her challenge to the results of the 2020 race in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

This comes after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) claimed last week that she could have refused to seat Miller-Meeks in the first place if she “wanted to be unfair.”

After losing by six votes, Hart had presented her challenge to the House Administration Committee, saying that 22 ballots that were not counted should have been part of the tally.

Hart issued a statement where she said, “After many conversations with people I trust about the future of this contest, I have made the decision to withdraw my contest before the House Committee on Administration. Since Election Day, and throughout this entire process, my mission has been about ensuring the voices of Iowans who followed the law are not silenced. I am saddened that some Iowans’ votes will not count through no fault of their own.”

Prior to the announcement by Hart, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy held a press conference in Iowa where he called out Pelosi and said, “The votes in #IA02 were counted, recounted, and certified unanimously by the bipartisan Canvassing Board. @RepMMM won. Period. Pelosi’s Power Grab would disenfranchise voters in Iowa and remove an army veteran, doctor, and public health expert from Congress.”

The votes in #IA02 were counted, recounted, and certified unanimously by the bipartisan Canvassing Board. @RepMMM won. Period.

Pelosi’s Power Grab would disenfranchise voters in Iowa and remove an army veteran, doctor, and public health expert from Congress. pic.twitter.com/4q6HDGnbB5

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) March 31, 2021

U.S. House Rep Steve Womack (R-AR) voiced his approval after the move and tweeted, “After a spotlight was placed on Speaker Pelosi’s attempt to wrongly unseat Rep. Miller-Meeks, the Dems have ended their ‘challenge’ to the certified election results in #IA02. A partisan process and hypocritical floor vote weren’t going to look good. Congrats (again) @repmmm!”

After a spotlight was placed on Speaker Pelosi’s attempt to wrongly unseat Rep. Miller-Meeks, the Dems have ended their “challenge” to the certified election results in #IA02. A partisan process and hypocritical floor vote weren’t going to look good. Congrats (again) @repmmm! https://t.co/jc5xkkmsgA

— Rep. Steve Womack (@rep_stevewomack) March 31, 2021

Also weighing in was U.S. House Rep Claudia Tenney (R-NY), who had faced several challenges to her victory as well.

Tenney tweeted, “I’m glad to see that Rita Hart has officially withdrawn her contest of #IA02 and joined thousands of Iowans in accepting the state-certified results of this election. It is an honor to serve with @RepMMM in Congress and I look forward to continue serving with you.”

I'm glad to see that Rita Hart has officially withdrawn her contest of #IA02 and joined thousands of Iowans in accepting the state-certified results of this election.

It is an honor to serve with @RepMMM in Congress and I look forward to continue serving with you. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/Kcq65MkNTO

— Congresswoman Tenney (@RepTenney) March 31, 2021