Rep. Cindy Axne is one of two Iowa Democrats determined to prove their historic wins in Republican-leaning districts during the 2018 midterm cycle weren’t flukes.
First-term lawmakers Axne, 55, and Rep. Abby Finkenauer, 31, became the first women elected to Congress by Iowa when they flipped their GOP-held seats two years ago.
Now Axne, who represents Iowa’s Des Moines-anchored 3rd Congressional District, faces a rematch against former Rep. David Young, who she ousted from office by 2 percentage points, 49% to 47%, or roughly 8,000 votes.
Young, 52, previously served four years on Capitol Hill, dominating in his past contests by 10 points.
Axne, a former businesswoman, has framed her campaign around the issue of healthcare after it helped her win last election season. Young, who voted to gut Obamacare as a member in 2017, has slammed her as “a broken record” while touting his standalone insurance bills, which would have protected people with preexisting conditions. Axne supports a public option.
They’ve also clashed over tax reform. Young backed the 2017 tax code overhaul.
Young has criticized Axne for taking advantage of proxy voting as well. The coronavirus mitigation measure has been offered to House lawmakers since May, a first for the chamber.
The Democratic Party has a 13,000-voter registration edge in the district, and Axne has a single-digit lead in the polls.
