In the most recent campaign finance filings, Democratic congressional candidates Christina Bohannan and Lanon Baccam outraised U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn. (Photo by Getty Images)
Democratic challengers Christina Bohannan and Lanon Baccam outraised U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn during the past three months in their congressional races to unseat the incumbent Republicans, Federal Election Commission reports show.
The most recent FEC reports, released July 15, covered the period from April 1 through June 30. That timeframe included the June 4 primary election, when Baccam defeated Melissa Vine to become the Democratic nominee for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. In this period, Baccam raised $1.3 million — more than Nunn, who ran uncontested in the primary, at more than $1 million.
Nunn ended the reporting period with more cash on hand with $2.4 million to Baccam’s $1.5 million. However, Baccam has earned more in fundraising than his incumbent opponent for three FEC periods in a row, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Mallory Payne said.
“Lanon’s momentum proves that Iowans are ready to send new, effective leadership to Congress and they know Lanon will always put them first,” Payne said in a statement. “While Lanon has spent his life giving back to his communities, Zach Nunn’s anti-abortion record has brought one of the most dangerous abortion bans in the country to Iowa.”
Earlier in July, Nunn’s campaign manager Kendyl Parker criticized Baccam in a statement for “raking in hundreds of thousands from the Clinton-Biden money machine while dodging questions about his time as a paid political activist for Joe Biden.” Baccam worked on Biden’s Iowa campaign, as well as with the U.S. Department of Agriculture under former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.
Parker said that Nunn is dedicated to fighting for Iowans in the lead-up to the 2024 general election.
“With a little more than 100 days to go until election day, we will not be outworked,” Parker said. “Zach has released 2 TV ads, recruited 89 precinct captains in Polk County and Dallas County, and led the charge with 120 active volunteers in over 60 community events in the last three months alone. With our strong grassroots momentum and war chest, Zach is ready for the battle to continue the mission to fight for Iowans.”
Bohannan outraises Miller-Meeks
In the 1st District race, Bohannan also outraised Miller-Meeks in both the most recent period, as well as in the prior three quarters. According to the July FEC filings, Bohannan raised more than $1.2 million while Miller-Meeks raised $846,883. The Democrat, who did not face a primary challenge, also has more in reserve funds than Miller-Meeks with $2.42 million cash on hand to the incumbent’s $2.27 million.
Miller-Meeks faced a primary challenge from David Pautsch in June, who argued that Iowa’s all-GOP congressional delegation was not sufficiently conservative. She won the primary race with 55.4% to Pautsch’s 44.6%.
Feenstra, Hinson raise more than opponents
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra also faced a challenge for becoming the 4th Congressional District Republican nominee. He defeated primary opponent Kevin Virgil of Sutherland with 60% of the vote. Feenstra will face Democrat Ryan Melton, whom he defeated in the 2022 general election.
In the July FEC report, Feenstra raised $635,115 in the most recent quarter, and has $1.2 million in reserve funding. Melton raised $22,480 in the same period and ended with $20,031 cash on hand.
In Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson raised $719,581 in the most recent reporting period, significantly more than Democratic challenger Sarah Corkery’s $98,166. Both candidates ran uncontested in the June primary election. Hinson ended the period with $1.9 million cash on hand to Corkery’s $69,428.
Corkery, as well as Bohannan, have called for President Joe Biden to step away from his bid to become the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. In a statement to reporters, Corkery called for Biden to “pass the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris.” Biden is expected to face former President Donald Trump in the November general election.
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