U.S. House, Iowa 1st Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in Iowa's 1st Congressional District?
Mariannette Miller-Meeks has the strongest record in Iowa's 1st Congressional District. Mariannette Miller-Meeks scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Christina Bohannan at 58, as of October 6, 2026. Mariannette Miller-Meeks's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Christina Bohannan's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Michael Bridgford (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Christina Bohannan
58 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
No Party
Michael Bridgford
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
66 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 75
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Christina Bohannan
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Michael Bridgford
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
- Unresolved2021-10-11
The Iowa Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics alleging she omitted income from financial disclosures; she later filed an amended 2020 report.
Where it stands: No public action by the Office of Congressional Ethics or the House Ethics Committee found as of Oct. 6, 2026; her amended 2020 report is on the House Clerk index dated Oct. 28, 2021.
Sources: KGAN, Oct. 11, 2021, KWQC, Oct. 12, 2021
- On the record2026-09-15
Was one of seven House Republicans who voted for a War Powers Resolution directing removal of U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran, which passed 220 to 204 on Sept. 15, 2026.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 307, 2026, Des Moines Register via Yahoo News, Sept. 16, 2026
- On the record2026-09-23
Was a plaintiff with Donald Trump and Brad Zaun in a consumer fraud suit over the Des Moines Register's 2024 Iowa Poll, which an Iowa district judge dismissed with prejudice on Sept. 23, 2026.
Sources: Iowa Public Radio, Sept. 24, 2026, CNN, Sept. 23, 2026
- On the record2025-12
Moved her voter registration in 2025 from a Davenport apartment back to her Ottumwa home, which is outside the 1st District she represents, per voter registration data reported in December 2025.
Sources: KGAN, Dec. 16, 2025, KCRG, Dec. 23, 2025
- On the record2023-10-18
Switched her speaker vote from Jim Jordan to Kay Granger on the second ballot in October 2023 and said afterward that she received death threats.
Source: KCRG, Oct. 18, 2023
- On the record2021-09-17
PolitiFact rated False her 2021 claim that Christina Bohannan supports abolishing law enforcement.
Source: PolitiFact, Sept. 17, 2021
- Credit2023
Rated as exceeding expectations by the Center for Effective Lawmaking for the 118th Congress, with a Legislative Effectiveness Score of 1.933 against a benchmark of 1.194.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress
- Credit2022
Was primary sponsor of three enacted bills in the 117th Congress: the Veterans Justice Outreach Improvement Act, the SERVICE Act of 2021 and the DUMP Opioids Act.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Christina Bohannan. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and candidate financial disclosures are on file with the House Clerk. No FEC administrative fine and no official ethics finding found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Michael Bridgford. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and a House candidate financial disclosure is on file. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Her 2025 annual financial disclosure is on file with the House Clerk, signed May 10, 2026; no periodic transaction reports are listed for her. No House Ethics finding or FEC administrative fine found. A 2021 disclosure complaint is listed in the Record as open.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10077246, FEC administrative fines search
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Christina Bohannan. No public record found.
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Voted Nay on both January 2021 electoral objections when her party's leader voted Yea, withdrew her vote from Jim Jordan for speaker in October 2023, and in September 2026 was one of seven Republicans who voted for the Iran war powers resolution.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, KCRG, Oct. 18, 2023, Des Moines Register via Yahoo News, Sept. 16, 2026, House Clerk Roll Call 307, 2026
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Christina Bohannan. Agreed to an Oct. 20, 2026 debate with Mariannette Miller-Meeks hosted by KWQC and KCRG, and holds public campaign events across the district.
Sources: KWQC, Sept. 16, 2026, Associated Press, Aug. 24, 2026
Michael Bridgford. Spoke at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox in August 2026 and holds public campaign events; he was not included in the KWQC and KCRG debate.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Held her first in-person town hall of 2025 in Keosauqua in November 2025 and agreed to an Oct. 20, 2026 debate with Christina Bohannan hosted by KWQC and KCRG.
Sources: KGAN, Nov. 11, 2025, KWQC, Sept. 16, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Christina Bohannan. University of Iowa law professor for 26 years and a state representative from 2021 to 2023, with no formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Campaign site, About, Ballotpedia, Christina Bohannan
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Army veteran of 24 years, physician, former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, state senator and U.S. representative since 2021, with no formal conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Christina Bohannan. Took the oath of the Iowa House for the 2021 to 2023 term. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Christina Bohannan
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Served 24 years in the Army and holds sworn office. Voted to reject both January 2021 objections to certified electors. No official finding of misuse of office found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Christina Bohannan. Served one term in the Iowa House (District 85, 2021 to 2023); University of Iowa law professor and former environmental engineer with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Source: Ballotpedia, Christina Bohannan
Michael Bridgford. Small business owner and independent financial advisor who has worked in finance, software, logistics and warehousing. Has not held elected office.
Sources: KCCI, Aug. 12, 2026, Ballotpedia, Michael Bridgford
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. In her third term in this U.S. House seat since January 2021; earlier a state senator, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health and an Army physician.
Sources: GovTrack, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ballotpedia, Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Christina Bohannan. Publishes specific proposals, including cover crop incentives and radon testing funds to address cancer rates and ethics measures such as a congressional stock trading ban.
Sources: Iowa Public Radio, Sept. 1, 2026, Campaign site, Priorities
Michael Bridgford. Lists positions in general terms, including votes on congressional term and age limits, a ban on congressional stock trading and single-subject bills.
Source: KCCI, Aug. 12, 2026
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Chairs the Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee and sits on Energy and Commerce; cites specific health measures, including a multi-cancer early detection bill signed into law in February 2026.
Sources: GovTrack, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Public Radio, Sept. 1, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Christina Bohannan. Publishes plain-language priority pages and agreed to a televised debate; holds public campaign events. Did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020, 2022 or 2024 surveys.
Sources: Campaign site, Priorities, KWQC, Sept. 16, 2026, Iowa Public Radio, Sept. 1, 2026
Michael Bridgford. Spoke at the Register Political Soapbox and explains his positions in interviews and on his campaign site. No completed questionnaire found.
Sources: Iowa Capital Dispatch via Yahoo News, Aug. 15, 2026, KCCI, Aug. 12, 2026
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Held an in-person town hall and telephone town halls, offers an office newsletter and agreed to a televised debate. Did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020, 2022 or 2024 surveys.
Sources: Office press release, Dec. 19, 2025, Office site, KWQC, Sept. 16, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Christina Bohannan. Has taught at the University of Iowa College of Law for 26 years and lives in Iowa City; her campaign address is in Iowa City. About 23 percent of itemized contributions by state came from Iowa.
Sources: Campaign site, About, FEC contribution totals by state
Michael Bridgford. Grew up on a family farm and lives in Bettendorf, in the district. About 3 percent of itemized contributions by state came from Iowa ($1,800 of $60,452).
Sources: KCCI, Aug. 12, 2026, Iowa Public Radio, Apr. 16, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Voter registration records show she moved her voting address in 2025 back to her Ottumwa home, which is in the 3rd District, outside the district she represents. About 20 percent of itemized contributions by state came from Iowa.
Sources: KGAN, Dec. 16, 2025, KCRG, Dec. 23, 2025, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Christina Bohannan. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no debts reported and no administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Michael Bridgford. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with $100,000 in debts owed by the committee and no administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no debts reported and no administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Christina Bohannan. No public record found.
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Legislative Effectiveness Score of 1.933 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.194, exceeds expectations. Primary sponsor of three enacted bills in the 117th Congress, per GovTrack.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Christina Bohannan. No public record found.
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Missed 77 of 2,915 roll call votes, 2.6 percent, from January 2021 to September 2026.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Christina Bohannan. No public record found.
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Lists district offices in Davenport and Indianola, offers help with federal agencies and holds telephone town halls. No published casework totals found.
Source: Office site, Office Locations
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Christina Bohannan. No public record found.
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 0.36078 in the latest posted House scores (118th Congress, 2023), ranked 70 of 436, in the top quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Christina Bohannan. No public record found.
Michael Bridgford. No public record found.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Iowa's 1st Congressional District?
Mariannette Miller-Meeks has the strongest record in Iowa's 1st Congressional District. Mariannette Miller-Meeks scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Christina Bohannan at 58, as of October 6, 2026. Mariannette Miller-Meeks's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Christina Bohannan's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Michael Bridgford (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Iowa's 1st Congressional District in 2026?
Christina Bohannan (Democratic), Michael Bridgford (No Party), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Christina Bohannan a good candidate for Congress?
Christina Bohannan scores 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Michael Bridgford a good candidate for Congress?
Michael Bridgford has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Mariannette Miller-Meeks a good candidate for Congress?
Mariannette Miller-Meeks scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Iowa race scored, and the Iowa 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.