Democrats hold three of Iowa’s four House seats, and they’re trying to keep it that way. Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer is a crucial part of those plans.
Finkenauer, 31, is among a couple dozen “majority-maker” lawmakers, who in 2018 helped Democrats win their first majority in eight years. Her Republican opponent in the northeast Iowa district is GOP state Rep. Ashley Hinson, and it’s a race both parties are watching closely.
Finkenauer is only the second Democrat to represent the district since the early 1970s. The district covers the northeast quadrant of the state, and Finkenauer, along with Rep. Cindy Axne of Iowa’s 3rd District, became the first woman to represent the state in the House.
Iowans rode a blue wave in 2018, electing Axne and Finkenauer upsetting two Republican incumbents while then-six-term Rep. Dave Loebsack was able to get reelected. This time around, though, Axne and Finkenauer are struggling to maintain their seats, and Loebsack is not seeking reelection, so the Democrat running in his district does not have the advantages of an incumbent. Axne is running against former GOP Rep. David Young, whom she ousted two years ago.
In 2016, Iowa went red for President Trump, a dramatic turnaround from President Barack Obama’s victory in the Hawkeye State by a 52%-46% margin over Republican rival Mitt Romney.
Finkenauer has received a coveted endorsement from Obama and from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But the race may be decided on local issues.
In addition to facing hardship amid the coronavirus pandemic, many Iowans were devastated by the massive windstorm, known as a derecho, in August. The storm brought winds of more than 100 miles per hour, and it damaged approximately 14 million acres of insured crops, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds estimated that more than 8,000 homes were flattened or sustained severe damage.
