2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa

The 2010 House elections in Iowa occurred on November 2, 2010, and elected the members of the State of Iowa's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 112th Congress from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013. Iowa has five seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census.

These elections were held concurrently with the United States Senate elections of 2010 (including one in Iowa), the United States House elections in other states, and various state and local elections. All five of Iowa's incumbent representatives were re-elected.

Despite losing the popular vote, Democrats won a majority of congressional districts in Iowa, which they have only done once since, in 2018. As a result, Iowa became one of four states in which the party that won the state's popular vote did not win a majority of seats in 2010, the other states being New Jersey, Illinois, and North Carolina.

Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa, 2010PartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats after+/– Republican 597,414 53.9% 2 2 0 Democratic 479,874 43.3% 3 3 0 Libertarian 8,443 0.76% 0 0 0 Independent 20,860 1.88% 0 0 0 Totals 1,106,591 100.00% 5 5 —

By district Results of the 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa by district:

DistrictRepublicanDemocraticOthersTotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %District 1 100,219 47.52% 104,428 49.51% 6,255 2.97% 210,902 100% Democratic holdDistrict 2 104,319 45.92% 115,839 50.99% 7,017 3.09% 227,175 100% Democratic holdDistrict 3 111,925 46.49% 122,147 50.73% 6,684 2.78% 240,756 100% Democratic holdDistrict 4 152,588 65.62% 74,300 31.95% 5,631 2.42% 232,519 100% Republican holdDistrict 5 128,363 65.75% 63,160 32.35% 3,716 1.90% 195,239 100% Republican holdTotal 597,414 53.99% 479,874 43.36% 29,303 2.65% 1,106,591 100%

District 1

Campaign In this liberal-leaning district based in northeastern Iowa, incumbent Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley ran for a third term against Republican attorney Ben Lange, Libertarian Rob Petsche, and independent candidate Jason Faulkner. Though Braley had been overwhelmingly re-elected to his second term two years prior, the anti-Democratic mood in the country contributed to the congressman experiencing a tough fight for re-election. The race attracted the attention of both national party organizations, and thousands of dollars were reserved for airtime by the DCCC and the NRCC. Though Braley emerged victorious on election day, it was by a slim 4,000 vote and two percent margin, which was the thinnest margin of victory out of the entire Iowa congressional delegation.

Polling Poll source Dates administered Bruce Braley (D) Ben Lange (R) UndecidedVoter/Consumer ResearchVoter/Consumer Research August 31-September 3, 2010 50% 39% -

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2010 Rothenberg November 1, 2010 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball, November 1, 2010RCPRealClearPolitics, November 1, 2010CQ PoliticsOctober 28, 2010New York Times November 1, 2010FiveThirtyEight November 1, 2010

Results

District 2

Campaign In a rematch from 2008, incumbent Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack faced Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks when he ran for a third term in this southeastern Iowa-based district, the most liberal of the congressional districts in the state. Polling indicated that the race would be close, and both parties’ congressional campaign committees spent on television advertisements, but ultimately, Congressman Loebsack defeated Miller-Meeks by a 10,000 vote, five percent margin.

Polling Poll source Dates administered David Loebsack (D) Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) Gary Sicard (L) UndecidedTarrance GroupTarrance Group October 18–19, 2010 44% 45% 1% 11%Tarrance GroupTarrance Group September 13–14, 2010 41% 40% 6% 13%Voter/Consumer ResearchVoter/Consumer Research August 31-September 3, 2010 47% 39% - -Susquehanna Polling and Research June 23–25, 2010 46% 41% - -

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2010 Rothenberg November 1, 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 1, 2010RCP November 1, 2010CQ PoliticsOctober 28, 2010New York Times November 1, 2010FiveThirtyEight November 1, 2010

Results

District 3

Campaign Incumbent Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell ran for an eighth term in this marginally liberal district that includes parts of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls metropolitan area, metro Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids. Congressman Boswell, who had faced difficult elections every year, faced Republican State Senator Brad Zaun in the general election. Though early polling indicated that Boswell was in trouble, he managed to turn the tide and edged out Zaun by a four percent margin.

Polling Poll source Dates administered Leonard Boswell (D) Brad Zaun (R) UndecidedThe Hill/ANGAThe Hill/ANGA October 19–21, 2010 49% 37% 11%Anzalone Liszt Research October 2–5, 2010 47% 38% -Bennett, Petts and Normington October 3–4, 2010 49% 41% -Voter/Consumer ResearchVoter/Consumer Research August 31-September 3, 2010 48% 39% 8%American Action ForumAmerican Action Forum August 16–18, 2010 41% 51% 8%Victory Enterprises August 4–5, 2010 38% 45% -Victory Enterprises June 17, 2010 32% 41% -

Debate + 2006 Iowa's 3rd congressional district debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic RepublicanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Leonard Boswell Brad Zaun1 Iowa Politics.comKCCI Lynne CampbellKevin CooneyC-SPAN

Results

District 4

Campaign Though Republican Congressman Tom Latham represented a centrist district, he had never had much trouble winning re-election since he was first elected in 1994. This year, Congressman Latham faced the Democratic nominee, Bill Maske, a school superintendent, and independent candidate Dan Lensing. Latham was never in danger of losing his seat, and managed to crush Maske and Lensing to win a ninth term in Congress.

Results

District 5

Campaign Congressman Steve King, a Republican, represented the most conservative district in Iowa, which is rooted in the staunchly conservative areas of western Iowa. King was an outspoken conservative seeking his fifth term in Congress, and he faced Democrat Matthew Campbell in the general election. Though Democrats had high hopes for Campbell's campaign, he was ultimately not able to beat back the conservative tendencies of the district, and lost to King in a landslide.

Results

References

External links Elections from the Iowa Secretary of State June 8, 2010 Primary Election Results U.S. Congress Candidates for Iowa at Project Vote Smart Iowa U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Iowa from OpenSecrets

2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa

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