Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks Flips Long-Held House Seat in Iowa By 6 Votes After Recount

House Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) announced in April of 2019 that he would be stepping down after spending 14 years representing the people of Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

After a tight election race, Republican Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks declared victory on November 10th over Democrat Rita Hart after 47 votes separated the two candidates.

Miller-Meeks said in a statement, “Thank you to the voters of #ia02! I express to the voters my heartfelt gratitude and acknowledge Rita Hart’s grace and positive demeanor during this campaign. The election is over, and it is time to move forward together and focus on the priorities that will best serve Iowans!”

Thank you to the voters of #ia02!

I express to the voters my heartfelt gratitude and acknowledge Rita Hart’s grace and positive demeanor during this campaign.

The election is over, and it is time to move forward together and focus on the priorities that will best serve Iowans! pic.twitter.com/V9FpvGoUMz

— Dr. Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks) November 11, 2020

Hart, however, was not ready to accept defeat and requested a recount. She posted a statement on November 12th and said, “It is critical that Iowans’ voices are heard and their votes accurately counted. With our race still too close to call, here’s an update on our next steps in #IA02.”

It is critical that Iowans' voices are heard and their votes accurately counted. With our race still too close to call, here's an update on our next steps in #IA02 pic.twitter.com/Pw6GDQ3rkb

— Rita Hart (@RitaHartIA) November 12, 2020

At the end of the recount, Miller-Meeks declared victory again and released another statement, after the total showed a six vote victory.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be elected to serve the people of eastern and southern Iowa. Iowans are tenacious, optimistic and hard working, and I will take those same attributes to Washington, D.C. #ia02,” Miller-Meeks declared.

It is the honor of a lifetime to be elected to serve the people of eastern and southern Iowa.

Iowans are tenacious, optimistic and hard working, and I will take those same attributes to Washington, D.C. #ia02 pic.twitter.com/WKkAuap5Qf

— Dr. Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks) November 28, 2020

The race has ultimately seesawed back and forth during the original count by slim margins between the two candidates and both candidates went to Washington, D.C. to participate in orientation for new members of Congress.

Hart’s campaign manager Zach Meunier accused the Miller-Meeks campaign of voter suppression and he hinted at the possibility that the Hart campaign would file a legal challenge in the race, which is set to be certified Monday.

Meunier claimed, “The Miller-Meeks campaign has sought to keep legitimate votes from being counted — pushing to disqualify and limit the number of Iowans whose votes are counted.”

“We will closely review what the county and state boards do on Monday with an eye toward making sure all Iowa voices are fully and fairly heard,” Meunier added.