Everything you need to know about ranked-choice voting in one spot. Click to learn more!

Iowa's 1st Congressional District elections, 2014

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
2016 →
← 2012

CongressLogo.png

Iowa's 1st Congressional District
General Election Date
November 4, 2014
Primary Date
June 3, 2014
November 4 Election Winner:
Rod Blum Republican Party
Incumbent prior to election:
Bruce Braley Democratic Party
Bruce Braley.jpg
Race Ratings
Cook Political Report: Likely D[1]

Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely D[2]

Fairvote's Monopoly Politics: Lean D[3]
Iowa U.S. House Elections
District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4
2014 U.S. Senate Elections
2014 U.S. House Elections
Flag of Iowa.png

The 1st Congressional District of Iowa held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014.

SimmeringRace.jpg

The incumbent was Bruce Braley (D), who was first elected in 2006. Braley is not seeking re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. He ran for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.[4]

Rod Blum (R) defeated Patrick Murphy (D) in the general election. In polls, Pat Murphy and Rod Blum were the front-runners heading into the primary. Financially, Blum had the most cash-on-hand with a little over $260,000 according to the Federal Election Commission July Quarterly. Murphy had about half as much with around $130,000.[5] Cook Political Report designated the district as "Likely Democrat."

In early October, Blum narrowed Murphy's lead. Blum ran an internal poll of the district that found he was up 40-39 over Murphy. Murphy also ran an internal poll of his district that found he was leading Blum 51-40. The tight race resulted in both parties seeking control of the district, which the Republicans narrowly won.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent nearly $600,000 to protect the district. The effort came at a time when Blum was narrowing the race in a district that Obama won by a 14% margin of victory. Democrats were also expected to shed more U.S. House seats this congressional election. Analysts reported that with more contested elections in seats previously thought as safe for Democrats, the party was aiming to use their resources to prevent further loses in battleground districts.[6] The move ultimately failed as Murphy narrow lost in the genera election.

House Republicans had garnered $3 million to expand operations in tightly contested races. Many of these races aimed to unseat Democratic incumbents or to win a seat vacated by a Democrat. Iowa's 1st Congressional District appeared on the list of areas where operations were expanded. The influx of money further bolstered efforts for Blum to defeat Murphy and claim the open seat.[7]

On the Democratic ticket, state Representative Pat Murphy beat out fellow state Representative Anesa Kajtazovic, attorney Dave O'Brien, Cedar Rapids City Council member Monica Vernon, former state Senator Swati Dandekar for the nomination to succeed Democratic incumbent Bruce Braley.

In the Republican primary, 2012 candidate Rod Blum defeated 2010 candidates Steve Rathje and Gail Boliver.

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
March 14, 2014
June 3, 2014
November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Iowa, state law provides for a closed primary where every voter must be affiliated with a party in order to participate in its primary. However, a voter can change his or her political party affiliation on the day of the primary.[8][9]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Voter registration: To vote in the primary voters were required to register by either May 26, 2014, to pre-register, or on election day. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 25, 2014 (10 days before election day).[10]

See also: Iowa elections, 2014

Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was Bruce Braley (D), who was first elected in 2006. Braley did not seek re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. He ran for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.[11]

Iowa's 1st Congressional District covers the northeastern part of the state. The district includes Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Bremer, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, Jones, Linn, Benton, Iowa, Poweshiek, Marshall and Tama counties.[12]

Candidates

General election candidates


June 3, 2014, primary results

Republican Party Republican Primary

Democratic Party Democratic Primary

Rumored candidates

Withdrew from race

Declined to run

Elections

General election results

The 1st Congressional District of Iowa held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Rod Blum (R) defeated Pat Murphy (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Iowa District 1 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Pat Murphy 48.8% 141,145
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRod Blum 51.1% 147,762
     Write-in Other 0.1% 399
Total Votes 289,306
Source: Iowa Secretary of State Official Results

Primary results

U.S. House, Iowa District 1 Democratic Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngPat Murphy 36.7% 10,189
Monica Vernon 23.6% 6,559
Swati Dandekar 18.3% 5,076
Anesa Kajtazovic 14.7% 4,067
Dave O'Brien 6.7% 1,846
Total Votes 27,737
Source: Iowa Secretary of State


U.S. House, Iowa District 1 Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngRod Blum 55% 16,886
Steve Rathje 37.2% 11,420
Gail Boliver 7.9% 2,413
Total Votes 30,719
Source: Iowa Secretary of State

Key votes

Below are important votes the incumbent cast during the 113th Congress.

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Nay3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[35] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[36] Bruce Braley voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[37]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[38] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Bruce Braley voted for HR 2775.[39]

Endorsements

Democratic candidates

Anesa Kajtazovic

Kajtazovic received endorsements from same-sex marriage advocate Zach Wahls and former Hawkeye and pro football player Tim Dwight.[40] She also received the endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW).[40] UFCW Locals 431 and 1149 represents over 2,500 workers in the 1st District.[40]

“We are endorsing Representative Kajtazovic because she understands better than anyone the concerns of Iowa’s working families. She shares the experience of arriving to Iowa as an immigrant with many of our members. She has seen our struggles firsthand and will fight every day to give all Iowans the opportunity to achieve the American Dream...We know she will fight for us because she is one of us,” the union said in its endorsement,” UFCW Locals 431 and 1149 said.[40]

Pat Murphy

  • The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) endorsed Pat Murphy (D) on March 28, 2014.[41][42]
    • “He successfully led the fight to raise the minimum wage in Iowa, and is leading it again. He also created universal pre-K in Iowa,” the PCCC said.[42]

Swati Dandekar

Swati Dandekar received an endorsement from the National Organization for Women (NOW).[43] John Deere, the largest employer in District 1, also endorsed her via the John Deere Political Action Committee.[44]

Republican candidates

Rod Blum

Rod Blum received the following endorsements:[45]

  • National Rifle Association
  • Gun Owners of America
  • Iowa Farm Bureau
  • National Federation of Independent Businesses
  • Liberty Conservatives [46]
  • Young Americans for Liberty PAC
  • National Association for Gun Rights PAC
  • Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media

Polls

General election
Poll Pat Murphy Rod BlumUndecidedMargin of ErrorSample Size
Loras College (September 2-5, 2014)
 34.6%33%32.3%+/-5.6300
Polling Co. Inc.
August 11-12, 2014
 40%35%25%+/-4.9401
Myers Research and Strategic Services
July 31-August 4, 2014
 51%40%9%+/-4.9400
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org


Democratic primary
Poll Pat Murphy Monica VernonSwati DandekarAnesa KajtazovicDave O'BrienUndecidedMargin of ErrorSample Size
Loras College
April 8-10, 2014
 30%9%9%11%6%34%+/-5.65300
David Binder Research
February 27-March 2, 2014
 30%11%13%13%9%0%+/-4.9400
Myers Research
February 11-13, 2014
 36%17%13%11%8%0%+/-4.9400
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org


Republican primary
Poll Rod Blum Steve RathjeGail BoliverUndecidedMargin of ErrorSample Size
Loras College
April 10-11, 2014
 17%12%2%68%+/-5.65300
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Media

Steve Rathje's February 2014 radio ad.
Monica Vernon's April 2014 ad, "Daughters."
Pat Murphy's April 2014 ad, "Story."
Swati Dandekar's April 2014 ad, "Imagine."

Steve Rathje (R) released a radio ad, with an estimated $10,000 price tag, in February 2014 that emphasized the benefits of returning manufacturing operations to the United States.[47]

Pat Murphy released his first ad of the campaign on April 10, 2014. The ad was a biographical ad that featured his family.[48]

Swati Dandekar (D) released her first ad on April 14, 2014. Her ad tells the story of a young girl from India who works hard, graduates university and moves to Iowa with her husband. There, she and her husband start a business and a family. She eventually becomes a school board member, then a state legislator and continues working hard to bring jobs to Iowa.[49]

Campaign contributions

Democratic candidate Monica Vernon announced on July 10, 2013, that she had raised $103,587 in the three weeks after announcing her candidacy on June 4, 2013.[50]

Steve Rathje

Rod Blum

Gail Boliver

Gail Boliver (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
April Quarterly[62]April 15, 2014$0$3,481$(1,851)$1,629
Running totals
$3,481$(1,851)

Anesa Kajtazovic

Anesa Kajtazovic (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
October Quarterly[63]November 4, 2013$0.00$37,050.01$(7,878.05)$29,171.96
Year End[64]January 31, 2014$29,171$120,275$(44,523)$104,923
April Quarterly[65]April 15, 2014$104,923$92,564$(104,844)$92,644
Running totals
$249,889.01$(157,245.05)

Anesa Kajtazovic raised $120,000 during the fourth quarter of 2013, and ended the quarter with approximately $100,000 in cash on hand.[66]

Swati Dandekar

Swati Dandekar (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
October Quarterly[67]October 16, 2013$0.00$223,747.00$(36,667.22)$187,079.78
Year End[68]January 31, 2014$187,079$180,679$(105,241)$262,517
April Quarterly[69]April 15, 2014$262,517$181,793$(154,594)$289,716
Running totals
$586,219$(296,502.22)

Monica Vernon

Patrick Murphy

Dave O'Brien

Dave O'Brien (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
October Quarterly[79]October 11, 2013$0.00$104,973.00$(25,374.37)$79,598.63
Year End[80]January 31, 2014$79,598$77,971$(32,849)$124,720
April Quarterly[81]April 15, 2014$124,720$132,227$(72,239)$184,709
Running totals
$315,171$(130,462.37)

District history

Candidate ballot access
Ballot Access Requirements Final.jpg
Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

2012

On November 6, 2012, Bruce Braley (R) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ben Lange, Gregory Hughes, and George Todd Krail II in the general election.

U.S. House, Iowa District 1 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBruce Braley Incumbent 56.9% 222,422
     Republican Ben Lange 41.6% 162,465
     Independent Gregory Hughes 1.2% 4,772
     Independent George Todd Krail II 0.2% 931
Total Votes 390,590
Source: Iowa Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010

On November 2, 2010, Bruce Braley won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Benjamin M. Lange (R), Rob J. Petsche (L) and Jason A. Faulkner (I) in the general election.[82]

U.S. House, Iowa District 1 General Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBruce Braley incumbent 49.5% 104,428
     Republican Benjamin M. Lange 47.5% 100,219
     Libertarian Rob J. Petsche 1.9% 4,087
     Independent Jason A. Faulkner 1% 2,092
     N/A Write-In 0% 76
Total Votes 210,902

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 HOUSE RACE RATINGS FOR June 26, 2014," accessed August 5, 2014
  2. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 House Races," accessed August 5, 2014
  3. ↑ Fairvote, "FairVote Releases Projections for the 2014 Congressional Elections," accessed August 5, 2014
  4. ↑ 'Desmoines Register, "Register Exclusive: Bruce Braley weighs bid for governor," January 13, 2013
  5. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Report for Receipts and Disbursements," accessed October 7, 2014
  6. ↑ Politico, "Democrats shift cash to once-safe Iowa seat," accessed October 20, 2014
  7. ↑ Politico, "A wave for House Republicans?" accessed October 20, 2014
  8. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State Website, "Voter Registration FAQ," accessed October 20, 2025
  9. ↑ Iowa General Assembly, "Iowa Code § 43.42," accessed October 20, 2025
  10. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State Website, "Voter Pre-Registration," accessed January 3, 2014
  11. ↑ 'Desmoines Register, "Register Exclusive: Bruce Braley weighs bid for governor," January 13, 2013
  12. ↑ Iowa Redistricting Map "Map" accessed July 24, 2012
  13. ↑ Marion Patch "Rod Blum Enters First Congressional District Race" accessed March 28, 2013 (dead link)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Politics1 "Iowa's 1st Congressional District" accessed April 22, 2013
  15. ↑ Gail Boliver for Congress, "Home," accessed January 13, 2014
  16. ↑ Des Moines Register "Democrat Dave O’Brien running for Congress" accessed July 10, 2013
  17. ↑ TH Herald, "Pat Murphy to run for Congress," February 13, 2013
  18. ↑ Bleeding Heartland "IA-01: Democrat Monica Vernon is in" accessed June 5, 2013
  19. ↑ Marion Patch "A Return to Election Politics for Swati Dandekar?" accessed May 22, 2013
  20. ↑ Des Moines Register "Dandekar joins race for congressional seat" accessed July 26, 2013
  21. ↑ KWWL "State Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic explores run for U.S. House" accessed July 9, 2013
  22. ↑ The Gazette, "Anesa Kajtazovic formally entering Iowa 1st District Democratic race," accessed August 20, 2013
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 The DesMoines Register, "Pat Murphy to run for Congress," February 13, 2013
  24. ↑ WCFCourier.com, "Iowa state senator announces plans to run for Braley's House seat," March 9, 2013
  25. ↑ Sioux City Journal, "Iowa's U.S. House 1st District GOP field doubles; Pate, Rogers join race," accessed September 16, 2013
  26. ↑ CT post, "State Rep. Walt Rogers of Iowa quits US House race," accessed March 1, 2014
  27. ↑ WCF Courier, "Cedar Falls State Rep. Walt Rogers forms group to probe run for Congress," accessed September 16, 2013
  28. ↑ Daily Iowan, "Rep. Walt Rogers throws his hat in the ring," accessed September 27, 2013
  29. ↑ Des Moines Register "Handful of Democrats eyeing Braley seat in northeast Iowa" accessed May 22, 2013
  30. ↑ The Gazette "Paulsen confirms he’s considering 2014 U.S. House 1st District race" accessed May 29, 2013
  31. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen will not run for Congress," accessed August 9, 2013
  32. ↑ Dubuque Telegraph Herald, "Iowa House Speaker Paulsen will not run for 1st District seat," accessed August 9, 2013
  33. ↑ TH Online, "Lange says he will not run for Congress in 2014," accessed June 24, 2013.
  34. ↑ Iowa Republican "First Congressional Race" accessed April 22,2 013
  35. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  36. ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
  37. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  38. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  39. ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 The Gazette, "Food workers union endorses Kajtazovic in Iowa 1st District race," accessed October 28, 2013
  41. ↑ Globe Gazette, "Murphy picks up Warren wing endorsement," accessed March 31, 2014
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 WCF Courier, "Warren-aligned 'Progressive' group endorses Pat Murphy for Congress," accessed April 16, 2014
  43. ↑ [1]
  44. ↑ http://thegazette.com/2014/02/20/swati-dandekar-endorsed-by-john-deere-pac/
  45. ↑ Rod Blum, "Endorsements," accessed October 21, 2014
  46. ↑ Liberty Conservatives, "Rod Blum – Interview and Endorsement," accessed October 23, 2014
  47. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Congressional candidate Rathje running radio ads touting domestic manufacturing," accessed February 19, 2014
  48. ↑ Roll Call, "Democratic Front-Runner Goes Up With First Ad in Iowa House Race," accessed April 12, 2014
  49. ↑ http://thegazette.com/article/20140415/ARTICLE/140419800/1012
  50. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Democrat Monica Vernon raises nearly $104,000 for race for Congress" accessed July 11, 2013
  51. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly" accessed July 30, 2013
  52. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly" accessed July 30, 2013
  53. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 6, 2013
  54. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End," accessed March 3, 2014
  55. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 12, 2014
  56. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly" accessed July 30, 2013
  57. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 6, 2013
  58. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed March 3, 2014
  59. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 12, 2014
  60. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly," accessed October 23, 2014
  61. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed October 23, 2014
  62. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 13, 2014
  63. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 6, 2013
  64. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed March 3, 2014
  65. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 12, 2014
  66. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Democrat Anesa Kajtazovic raises $120,000 for campaign for Congress," accessed January 13, 2014
  67. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 6, 2013
  68. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed March 3, 2014
  69. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 12, 2014
  70. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly" accessed July 30, 2013
  71. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 6, 2013
  72. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed March 3, 2014
  73. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 12, 2014
  74. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly" accessed July 30, 2013
  75. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly" accessed July 30, 2013
  76. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 6, 2013
  77. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed March 3, 2014
  78. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 12, 2014
  79. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 6, 2013
  80. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed March 3, 2014
  81. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 12, 2014
  82. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
v • e
2013-2014 Elections to the United States Congress
Senate by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arkansas • Colorado • Delaware • Georgia • Illinois • Idaho • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Montana • Nebraska • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • North Carolina • Oklahoma • Oregon • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia • West Virginia • Wyoming
CongressLogo.png
House by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Senate Special Elections
House Special Elections
Election information
Super PACs/Organizations


Iowa's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Joni Ernst (R)
Chuck Grassley (R)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
Zach Nunn (R)
District 4
Republican Party (6)

Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Iowa%27s_1st_Congressional_District_elections,_2014&oldid=10534777"
Quantcast
Morty Proxy This is a proxified and sanitized view of the page, visit original site.