Iowa’s primaries are setting up impactful races for the general election ahead on Nov. 3.
Voters will make their choice for governor in an open race — a race with no incumbent on the ballot — for the first time since 2006. Iowans will also elect a new U.S. senator. The results in Iowa could even influence the balance of power in Washington, D.C.
Republicans are looking to maintain their grip on state politics, and to lean on their margin over Democrats among active registered voters. Democrats see the national political mood souring on the Trump administration, and they believe — with the right candidates in place — there is an opportunity to flip elected offices away from the GOP.
The race to the November midterms begins with the results in the June primaries.
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Results breakdown
U.S. Senate: Hinson and Turek win
Ashley Hinson has won the Republican nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. She beat her opponent, former state Sen. Jim Carlin, to earn the Republican nomination. Hinson led by more than 50 percentage points when the race was called.
Hinson is currently a U.S. representative for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in the northeastern part of the state. She announced her run for Senate last fall, just days after Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said she would not seek a third term.
Josh Turek has won the Democratic nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. He will face Hinson in the general election on Nov. 3.
U.S. House District 1: Miller-Meeks and Bohannan win
Incumbent U.S. Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks has won the Republican primary in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, which covers the communities of Iowa City, Davenport and Burlington.
Miller-Meeks beat marketing consultant David Pautsch by more than 40 percentage points in their second face-off in the primaries. Miller-Meeks is running for her fourth term in the U.S. House.
Christina Bohannan will be the Democratic candidate in the 1st District race. She beat University of Iowa healthcare worker Travis Terrell of Tiffin. Bohannan led Terrell with more than 80% of the vote.
It will be the third consecutive contest between Bohannan and Miller-Meeks.
Independent candidate Michael Bridgford is also running.
U.S. House District 2: Mitchell and James win
Trump-backed candidate Joe Mitchell is the winner in the Republican primary in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, which primarily covers northeast Iowa. The real estate developer and former state lawmaker picked up more than 60% of the vote compared to his opponent, state Sen. Charlie McClintock.
In an interview with IPR News leading up to the primary, Mitchell said he plans to take conservative values to Washington and plans to fight for Iowans. He also said his campaign doesn’t plan on accepting PAC money and he’s even willing to call out his own party.
“People felt like for decades that they've been left behind and that Washington has been passing legislation for themselves and not for places like Iowa and the Midwest,” Mitchell said.
The 29-year-old said he supports term limits, fiscal responsibility and strict immigration policies.
He will face Lindsay James, who won the Democratic nomination, in the general election.
State auditor race
Results in the Republican primary for state auditor are coming soon.
