Iowa Democrat Withdraws Challenge To House Election

Iowa Democrat Rita Hart says she has decided to withdraw her challenge to the state’s 2nd Congressional district election.

“After many conversations with people I trust about the future of this contest, I have made the decision to withdraw my contest from before the House Committee on Administration,” Hart said in a statement.

Hart lost the election to Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) by six votes, and the election was certified by the state. However, she appealed her loss to the House Committee on Administration as she claimed there were legally cast votes which were not counted that could change the outcome of the election.

She continued, “Despite our best efforts to have every vote counted, the reality is that the toxic campaign of political disinformation to attack this constitutional review of the closest congressional contest in 100 years has effectively silenced the voices of Iowans. It is a stain on our democracy that the truth has not prevailed, and my hope for the future is a return to decency and civility.”

“I wish Mariannette Miller-Meeks all the best as she serves the people of this great states as Congresswoman. This has been a difficult process for all of those involved, and it’s incredibly important that we work together to reform the system, so this does not happen again in the future,” she added.

Read the statement below:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) initially