Miller-Meeks Provisionally Seated in Congress; Special Election Date Set

Members elected to serve in the 117th Congress were sworn into office this week. Three of four of Iowa’s U.S. House members are freshmen including former State Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Ottumwa). Congresswoman Miller-Meeks was provisionally seated alongside the rest of her colleagues as Democrat Rita Hart continues to contest the certified election results of the 2nd Congressional District race before the U.S. House Committee on Administration. The ball is currently in the court of the Miller-Meeks campaign, as they are in the middle of a 30-day window to file a response to Hart’s petition. Following that, the committee can ultimately open an investigation or dismiss the claims.

Consequently, Miller-Meeks has resigned her state senate seat, and a special election will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 26 to fill the vacancy. Senate District 41, located in Southeast Iowa, comprises Ottumwa, Fairfield and all of Davis and Van Buren Counties. Both parties will fight hard for this tossup seat although the outcome will not affect which party controls the upper chamber, as the GOP maintains a significant majority.