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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.
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All 5 Iowa seats to the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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, the last time they would do so until 2018. Iowa also became one of three 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 and North Carolina.
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| United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa, 2010[1] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats Before | Seats 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:[2]
| District | Republican | Democratic | Others | Total | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | ||
| District 1 | 100,219 | 47.52% | 104,428 | 49.51% | 6,255 | 2.97% | 210,902 | 100% | Democratic Hold |
| District 2 | 104,319 | 45.92% | 115,839 | 50.99% | 7,017 | 3.09% | 227,175 | 100% | Democratic Hold |
| District 3 | 111,925 | 46.49% | 122,147 | 50.73% | 6,684 | 2.78% | 240,756 | 100% | Democratic Hold |
| District 4 | 152,588 | 65.62% | 74,300 | 31.95% | 5,631 | 2.42% | 232,519 | 100% | Republican Hold |
| District 5 | 128,363 | 65.75% | 63,160 | 32.35% | 3,716 | 1.90% | 195,239 | 100% | Republican Hold |
| Total | 597,414 | 53.99% | 479,874 | 43.36% | 29,303 | 2.65% | 1,106,591 | 100% | |
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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 was 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) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter/Consumer Research[3] | August 31-September 3, 2010 | 50% | 39% | - |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bruce Braley (inc.) | 104,428 | 49.51 | |
| Republican | Ben Lange | 100,219 | 47.52 | |
| Libertarian | Rob J. Petsche | 4,087 | 1.94 | |
| Independent | Jason A. Faulkner | 2,092 | 0.99 | |
| Write-ins | 76 | 0.04 | ||
| Total votes | 210,902 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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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) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrance Group[4] | October 18–19, 2010 | 44% | 45% | 1% | 11% |
| Tarrance Group[5] | September 13–14, 2010 | 41% | 40% | 6% | 13% |
| Voter/Consumer Research[6] | August 31-September 3, 2010 | 47% | 39% | - | - |
| Susquehanna Polling and Research[7] | June 23–25, 2010 | 46% | 41% | - | - |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dave Loebsack (inc.) | 115,839 | 50.99 | |
| Republican | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 104,319 | 45.92 | |
| Libertarian | Gary Sicard | 4,356 | 1.92 | |
| Constitution | Jon Tack | 2,463 | 1.08 | |
| Write-ins | 198 | 0.09 | ||
| Total votes | 227,175 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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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 has 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) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hill/ANGA[8] | October 19–21, 2010 | 49% | 37% | 11% |
| Anzalone Liszt Research[9] | October 2–5, 2010 | 47% | 38% | - |
| Bennett, Petts and Normington[10] | October 3–4, 2010 | 49% | 41% | - |
| Voter/Consumer Research[11] | August 31-September 3, 2010 | 48% | 39% | 8% |
| American Action Forum[12] | August 16–18, 2010 | 41% | 51% | 8% |
| Victory Enterprises[13] | August 4–5, 2010 | 38% | 45% | - |
| Victory Enterprises[14] | June 17, 2010 | 32% | 41% | - |
Debate
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||
| Leonard Boswell | Brad Zaun | |||||
| 1 | Iowa Politics.com KCCI |
Lynne Campbell Kevin Cooney |
C-SPAN | P | P | |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Leonard Boswell (inc.) | 122,147 | 50.73 | |
| Republican | Brad Zaun | 111,925 | 46.49 | |
| Socialist Workers | Rebecca Williamson | 6,258 | 2.60 | |
| Write-ins | 426 | 0.18 | ||
| Total votes | 240,756 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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Campaign
Though Republican Congressman Tom Latham represents a centrist district, he has 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 peril of losing his seat and managed to crush Maske and Lensing to win a ninth term in Congress.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom Latham (inc.) | 152,588 | 65.62 | |
| Democratic | Bill Maske | 74,300 | 31.95 | |
| Independent | Dan Lensing | 5,499 | 2.36 | |
| Write-ins | 132 | 0.07 | ||
| Total votes | 232,519 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
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Campaign
Congressman Steve King, a Republican, represents the most conservative district in Iowa, which is rooted in the staunchly conservative areas of western Iowa. King is 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
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve King (inc.) | 128,363 | 65.75 | |
| Democratic | Matthew Campbell | 63,160 | 32.35 | |
| Independent | Martin James Monroe | 3,622 | 1.86 | |
| Write-ins | 94 | 0.05 | ||
| Total votes | 195,239 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
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