The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the state's four U.S. representatives. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. Primary elections were held on June 5, 2012.
The new congressional map, drawn by the state's Legislative Services Agency and passed with bipartisan support in the state House of Representatives and Senate, was signed into law by Governor Terry Branstad on April 19, 2011. Reflecting population shifts recorded in the 2010 United States census, the new map decreases Iowa's representation from five congressional districts to four.
Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa, 2012 PartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats after+/– Democratic772,387 50.26% 3 2 -1 Republican 726,505 47.27% 2 2 - Socialist Workers 6,286 0.41% - Independent 30,291 1.97% - Write-In 1,380 0.09% - Totals 1,536,849 100% 5 4 -1
District 1
Bruce Braley, a Democrat the incumbent representative from the 1st district in northeastern Iowa since 2007, ran in the new 1st district. Fellow incumbent Dave Loebsack, who lived within the boundaries of the new 1st district in Linn County, but who had represented southeastern Iowa's 2nd district since 2007, moved to Johnson County and ran in the new 2nd district. The 1st district has become more favorable to Democrats with the inclusion of Linn County and its loss of Scott County. Braley won the Democratic nomination unopposed.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Bruce Braley, incumbent U.S. Representative
Declined Dave Loebsack, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 2nd district
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Ben Lange, attorney and nominee for this seat in 2010
Eliminated in primary Rod Blum, businessman
Withdrawn Steve Rathje, businessman
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 2
None of Iowa's current members of Congress resided in the newly drawn 2nd district; however, Democrat Dave Loebsack moved from Linn County to Johnson County in order to avoid a primary against Bruce Braley and continue representing southeastern Iowa. The 2nd district became slightly more favorable to Republicans as a result of the inclusion of Scott County, but retains Democratic-leaning Johnson County.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Dave Loebsack, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary Joe Seng, state senator
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee John Archer, senior legal counsel at John Deere
Eliminated in primary Dan Dolan, housing developer Withdrew Richard Gates, machinist and Tea Party activist
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DaveLoebsack (D) JohnArcher (R) UndecidedTarrance (R-Archer)Tarrance (R-Archer) June 25–27, 2012 300 (LV) ± 5.7% 48% 43% 10%
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 3
Leonard Boswell, a Democrat who represented the 3rd district in central Iowa since 1997, and Tom Latham, a Republican who represented the 4th district in northern and central Iowa since 1995, both ran in the new 3rd district. Latham, who lived in the new 4th district, moved south to avoid facing fellow Republican Steve King in a primary.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Leonard Boswell, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Tom Latham, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
General election Campaign Approximately half of the new 3rd district was at the time represented by Boswell, whereas the new 3rd district contained than 20 per cent of the area currently represented by Latham. However, Latham had $983,500 cash on hand at the end of March 2011, whereas Boswell had just $173,815.
Endorsements
Debate The first debate was held October 10, 2012 at 7 pm, sponsored by KCCI and the Des Moines Register.Watch tonight: Des Moines Register, KCCI host 3rd District debate, Des Moines Register, October 10, 2012
+ 2012 Iowa's 3rd congressional district debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic RepublicanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Leonard Boswell Tom Latham1 Oct. 10, 2012 The Des Moines RegisterKCCI Kevin CooneyKathy Obradovich C-SPAN
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror LeonardBoswell (D) TomLatham (R) ScottBatcher (I) UndecidedBenenson (D-DCCC)Benenson (D-DCCC) September 18–20, 2012 400 (LV) ± 3.9% 45% 45% 7% 3%
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 4
Steve King, a Republican represented western Iowa's 5th district since 2003, ran in the new 4th district. The new 4th district comprises mostly territory which King represented and which tends to vote for Republican candidates.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Steve King, incumbent U.S. Representative
Declined Tom Latham, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 4th district
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Christie Vilsack, former First Lady of Iowa
Primary results
Independents Martin James Monroe also ran.
General election Endorsements
Debates Complete video of debate, September 27, 2012 Complete video of debate, October 25, 2012
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveKing (R) ChristieVilsack (D) MartinMonroe (I) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D-CREDO)Public Policy Polling (D-CREDO) September 24–25, 2012 577 (LV) ± % 48% 45% — 7%Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Vilsack)Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Vilsack) September 22–25, 2012 400 (LV) ± 4.9% 46% 44% 4% 6%American Viewpoint (R-American Future Fund)American Viewpoint (R-American Future Fund) September 23–24, 2012 400 (LV) ± 4.9% 48% 41% — 11%Public Policy Polling (D-House Majority PAC)Public Policy Polling (D-House Majority PAC) January 18–23, 2012 974 (RV) ± 3.1% 49% 43% — 8%
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
References
External links Elections from the Iowa Secretary of State United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa, 2012 at Ballotpedia Iowa U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Iowa from OpenSecrets Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation