House - IA 2nd - Rita Hart

Democrat running in southeastern Iowa to succeed retiring Congressman Dave Loebsack

Former Iowa State Senator Rita Hart is running to succeed incumbent Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack, who is retiring in 2020 after representing the district since 2007. Loebsack has already endorsed Rita, commending her record of working across the aisle on a range of issues: “I've known Rita since she got into the [Iowa State] Senate … and I think that she's perfect for this district …”

First elected in 2012, Rita served six years as a state senator, then in 2018 ran for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket headed by Fred Hubbell. Though they lost by 2.8% to the incumbent Republicans, Rita gained statewide name recognition. In addition to her experience as a legislator, she cites her background as a lifelong farmer and 20-plus years of teaching as credentials that connect her with voters.

Rita’s opponent is Republican Mariannete Miller-Meeks, an Iowa state senator since 2014. She has run for Congress three times before and was defeated each time by Loebsack. Miller-Meeks says that she is a “proud supporter” of the NRA and supports Trump in both trade matters and building the wall.

If elected, Rita’s focus in Congress would be on healthcare, agricultural economy, rural development, and education, similar to her work in the state senate. Her ability to compromise was nurtured at her family’s kitchen table. One of 9 children, she remembers her parents and siblings arguing opposite positions -- her father was a Democrat and her mother was a Republican -- and then setting aside their differences and going forward together.

When she announced her candidacy for Congress, Rita emphasized her background in agriculture, and said: "As we look at the challenges that we face right now with the tariffs and the trade war, the effect that they have already had on Iowa farmers ..., we have to have people who understand that." She also said: "We have to do something to counteract the effects we are already seeing with climate change. People are suffering because we are not making good policy."

Iowa 2nd has been represented by a Democrat for more than a decade, but Trump won all four of the state’s Congressional districts in 2016; he won Iowa 2nd by 4%. With Loebsack’s retirement, this seat goes from likely Democrat to toss up; Republicans will be fighting hard to win this open seat.

Rita Hart needs our help now to keep Iowa 2nd Democratic.