Three state legislative races in Iowa are headed for a recount after the deadline for candidates to request one passed on Monday. One congressional race is also included.
Candidates had until 5 p.m. Monday to file recount requests, which are required by state law within three days after the canvass. For some counties, that canvass took place on Friday.
Two of the contested races involve Iowa Senate seats. In Senate District 14, Republican Mark Hanson plans to request a recount against Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat from Waukee. Trone Garriott, who leads by 24 votes after the Dallas County canvass, declared her victory, emphasizing that the election results reflect the will of the voters.
In Senate District 20, Sen. Nate Boulton, a Democrat from Des Moines, is seeking a recount after trailing Republican Mike Pike by 44 votes.
In House District 98, Republican challenger Nathan Ramker is asking for a recount in his race against Democratic Rep. Monica Kurth, who leads by 45 votes.
The recounts will be conducted by a board with representatives from each campaign and a neutral member chosen by both parties. If the vote margin is 50 votes or less, the state will cover the recount costs. Otherwise, the requesting candidate must pay.
Regardless of the recount outcomes, the results will not affect the Iowa Legislature’s control, as Republicans maintained their supermajority in both the Senate and House following the 2024 election.
In addition, Christina Bohannan, a Democrat, has requested a recount in the Iowa 1st Congressional District race, where she trails U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks by 802 votes. Miller-Meeks’ campaign dismissed the recount request, calling it a delay tactic and stating that the outcome would not change.