WASHINGTON _ Iowa Democrats are targeting two Republican congressmen this fall, and they chose two women as their nominees in the 1st and 3rd districts in Tuesday's primaries. No woman has ever been elected to the House from the Hawkeye State.
President Donald Trump carried both districts in 2016, but Democrats believe a favorable national environment and strong challengers could make these Republicans vulnerable.
State Rep. Abby Finkenauer won the Democratic primary in the 1st District to take on Rep. Rod Blum, one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents.
With 25 percent of precincts reporting, Finkenauer had 74 percent of the vote, according to The Associated Press, with former Obama administration official Thomas Heckroth far behind in second place with 15 percent.
Finkenauer was endorsed by EMILY's List, which backs female candidates who support abortion rights. She was also on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue program for strong challengers. She outraised Blum in both the last fundraising quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018.
But Blum does have an advantage in cash on hand with nearly $1.4 million in his campaign coffers as of May 16, the end of the pre-primary filing period. Finkenauer had $496,000 on hand.
President Barack Obama carried the district twice by double digits, before it backed Trump by 3 points in 2016. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race a Toss-up.
Small-business owner Cindy Axne won the Democratic primary to challenge two-term GOP Rep. David Young in the 3rd District.
With 45 percent of precincts reporting, she had 57 percent of the vote to 27 percent for her nearest challenger, insurance broker Eddie Mauro, who had 27 percent, according to The Associated Press.
Axne was endorsed by EMILY's List and benefited from $264,000 in spending by the group's independent expenditure arm Women Vote! during the primary.
Trump carried the district by 3 points in 2016, after it backed Obama twice. Inside Elections rates the race Likely Republican.
