OTTUMWA, Iowa – House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced his support for State Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ congressional campaign on Monday.
“I am proud to support Mariannette Miller-Meeks who represents the goals, interests and aspirations of the people of Iowa’s 2nd congressional district. Her hard-work and dedication to service are needed more than ever to flip this Democrat-held seat for the people,” said McCarthy. “Candidates like Mariannette will help us regain control of the People’s House and give President Trump a Congress that works with him each day rather than obstructs his every move to strengthen our economy, secure our borders and make health care more affordable and accessible to working families.”
Miller-Meeks, who is an Army veteran, ophthalmologist and state senator from Ottumwa, is seeking the seat being vacated by seven-term Rep. Dave Loebsack, an Iowa City Democrat. Iowa’s 2nd district is rated as a “toss-up,” according to national political forecasters. It’s the country’s only open Democrat-held district that President Trump carried in 2016. Recently, The Des Moines Register Iowa Poll showed a generic Republican leading a generic Democrat by 8 percent in the district.
“Leader McCarthy’s endorsement speaks volumes about the important role Iowa’s 2nd District will play in the fight to restore a Republican majority in Congress. He knows I’ll never quit fighting for conservative principles and I’ll never give up on the people of Iowa,” Miller-Meeks said. “His support is a clear message to Iowa and the rest of the country that the people of the 2nd district have an extraordinary opportunity to reshape our country’s future by standing with me on June 2 and again in November.”