Christina Bohannan, the Democrat challenging Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa's 1st Congressional District, missed nearly half of her floor votes during her final year serving in the Iowa House of Representatives while she was simultaneously campaigning for federal office.
Records from the Iowa Legislature show that in 2022, Bohannan missed 348 of 773 floor votes — approximately 45% of all recorded votes. She served one term in the state House from 2021 to 2023 before launching her campaign for Congress.
The race in Iowa's 1st Congressional District is considered highly competitive. Cook Political Report rates it as a "toss up" heading into November, with Republicans seeking to maintain their narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes Davenport and Iowa City.
Bohannan previously ran against Miller-Meeks in 2022, losing by approximately seven percentage points, and again in 2024, losing by roughly 800 votes following a recount. This would be her third attempt to win the seat.
What the Left Is Saying
Bohannan's campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on the voting record. In a post on X dated Oct. 6, 2025, Bohannan wrote about having "the honor of speaking" with more than 100 voters at a candidate forum representing five Iowa counties.
"At a time when so much is uncertain, it's more important than ever for leaders to show up and talk directly with Iowans," Bohannan wrote in that post. The statement was made in the context of voter outreach, not legislative attendance.
In a 2021 interview with Bleeding Heartland, an Iowa politics blog, Bohannan discussed her plans for the 2022 legislative session, noting she intended to spend time on legislative work while also focusing on her congressional campaign.
Iowa state lawmakers earned a $25,000 annual salary in 2022, plus a per diem of $175 per day for up to 100 days, totaling $17,500. Bohannan remained on the state's legislative payroll during this period.
What the Right Is Saying
The National Republican Congressional Committee has pointed to Bohannan's voting record as evidence she is not committed to public service.
"Liberal Christina Bohannan says leaders should 'show up' and then is a no-show herself," said Emily Tuttle, NRCC spokesperson, in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Missing half your job while collecting your taxpayer-funded paycheck isn't leadership worthy of a promotion — it's the kind of performance that would get you fired anywhere else."
Republicans have sought to contrast Bohannan's legislative attendance with her public statements about the importance of civic engagement and showing up for constituents.
Miller-Meeks, who is seeking her fourth term in Congress, has served as the incumbent representative since 2021. The NRCC is expected to continue highlighting the voting record in its electoral communications ahead of November.
What the Numbers Show
Iowa House records indicate Bohannan participated in 425 of 773 floor votes during the 2022 legislative session — a participation rate of approximately 55%.
The Iowa legislature met for 110 days during the 2022 session, according to state records. Lawmakers receive per diem compensation for up to 100 days at $175 daily.
Bohannan's missed votes included legislation on multiple policy areas: protections for sexual abuse victims (HF 2463), volunteer firefighter support (SF 2361), Iowa dairy industry regulations (SF 2204), agricultural program funding (HF 2575), emergency 911 services (SF 2289), and juvenile justice reform measures (SF 2308).
The 2022 session participation rate of 55% is notably lower than the state House average. According to legislative records, most Iowa representatives participate in more than 90% of floor votes during active sessions.
The Bottom Line
Bohannan's missed votes while serving in the state legislature have become a point of contention in what is expected to be one of the most competitive House races in the country this November.
The race represents a third attempt by Bohannan to flip the seat, having lost both previous contests to Miller-Meeks. The district's "toss up" rating from Cook Political Report indicates either candidate has a viable path to victory.
Voters in Iowa's 1st Congressional District will decide between an incumbent who has served three terms in Congress and a challenger whose state legislative voting record is now being scrutinized by opposing political operatives.
What to watch: Whether Bohannan's campaign offers an explanation for the absences, and whether the issue resonates with voters in a district where both candidates have run extensively before.