Republicans win victory lap after Iowa Democrat abandons challenge



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House Republicans claim a victory lap over former Democratic candidate Rita Hart, dropping her challenge to the 2020 race results in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

In a National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) memo obtained by The Hill, the House GOP campaign arm said it saw it as an indicator that the party had a strong chance of regaining a majority in 2022.

The memo boasted that the NRCC sent out “57 press releases, generated nearly 100 stories” in addition to conducting a poll that showed Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) ‘s disputed victory did not resonate with voters in swing districts. The NRCC also ran ads targeting Rep. Cindy axneCindy AxneGOP hammers Democrats on Iowa Democrats’ election challenge Democrats urge IRS to help unemployed use tax breaks Democrats strike deal to provide tax relief to unemployed people READ MORE (D-Iowa), which represents a red-trending district, for not speaking out against the challenge.

“This is the first of many Republican victories in this cycle. Republicans are organized, aggressive, and have one goal: to regain the majority and make every vulnerable Democrat pay the price for their support. Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiThe Hill’s Morning Report – GOP pounces on Biden’s infrastructure plan Biden sparks on Capitol Hill spending rush, taxes Biden collides with business groups over tax hike MOREthe socialist agenda, ”said the memo.

“Throughout this process, Republicans across the ecosystem have been united in our efforts. The NRCC has waged a public pressure campaign targeting vulnerable Democrats on their efforts to overthrow the will of Iowa voters and overturn the certified results in Iowa’s Second Congressional District. We made sure Democrats across the country were held accountable for Pelosi’s blatant attempt to steal an election.

Hart – who lost his race by six votes – initially challenged by arguing that a handful of ballots had not been properly counted. She announced that she was dropping her challenge to the House Administration Committee on Wednesday, but maintained that her attempt to challenge the results was valid.

The announcement came shortly after the House Minority Leader Kevin mccarthyKevin McCarthyGaetz, on ropes, finds few friends in GOP GOP leader says Gaetz would lose committee seat if accusations were true The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden seeks expanded government, raises taxes MORE (R-Calif.), Miller-Meeks and Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) held a press conference in the district to denounce the challenge, calling on Hart to end his efforts to overturn the election.

McCarthy tweeted a smiling photo with Miller-Meeks to celebrate Hart’s removal from the challenge shortly after the announcement.

In addition to the House GOP leadership, the Senate Minority Leader Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell The Hill’s Morning Report – GOP pounces on Biden infrastructure plan Biden sparks on Capitol Hill spending rush, taxes Biden runs into business groups over hike plus taxes (R-Ky.), Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee Rodney DavisRodney Lee Davis Democrat Rita Hart withdraws challenge in Iowa House race McCarthy calls on Pelosi to reject efforts to contest Iowa House race Hillicon Valley: Senate Republicans call for hearing on FTC decision on the Obama era of Google | US Network At Increasing Risk Of Cyber ​​Attacks, GAO Says | YouTube rolls out rival TikTok in the United States READ MORE (R-Ill.), Among others, has repeatedly called on President Nancy Pelosi (D-California) to end the investigation, which could have led to a House vote overturning the election. Republicans argued the move was hypocritical after criticism from a significant number of GOP lawmakers for challenging the 2020 presidential election results in major swing states earlier this year.

Critics of the Iowa Challenge argued it was a takeover by Democrats to move forward with efforts that would typically have been led by a committee mostly controlled by the majority party. They also targeted Hart for choosing to look to Congress instead of his state’s courts to challenge the result.

Republicans also credited their lobbying campaign with playing a role in the handful of Democrats who have chosen to speak out against the move.

“The Democrats suffered a decisive defeat. Rita Hart abandoned her challenge to overturn the certified election results and Nancy Pelosi failed to gain support from her caucus, ”the memo reads.

“Along the way, nine vulnerable Democrats have publicly declared that they are publicly breaking with Pelosi, who remains America’s most unpopular politician.”

Hart’s decision to end his efforts to run for office has relieved some pressure from Democratic leaders, who have faced a difficult decision to decide whether or not to allow a floor vote on the issue. .

Although the challenge has ceased, Main Democrats have said they believe his calls to investigate the counting of every ballot were legitimate.

“From the day she announced her candidacy, Rita Hart has shown that she is a tireless advocate for the people of Iowa. I respect his decision and applaud his efforts to ensure that every legal vote is counted in this election. I know his service and the commitment to the Iowans won’t end here, ”Democratic Congress campaign committee chair Sean Patrick Maloney (DN.Y.) said in a statement.

“While Republicans have thrown roadblocks at the polls at every turn, Democrats will always fight to ensure that every American can vote and that every legal vote is counted.”



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