July 2026 District Survey: Iowa's 1st Congressional District
A new Independent Center Voice & Independent Leadership Council survey of Iowa's 1st Congressional District finds Democrat Christina Bohanna leading a close three-way field while independent Michael Bridgford remains largely unknown to voters.
A new survey shows Democrat Christina Bohanna leading a competitive three-way field, while independent Michael Bridgford remains largely unknown to voters.
The Big Picture
Polling of 705 likely voters in Iowa's 1st Congressional District shows a tight race between Democrat Christina Bohanna and Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, with independent Michael Bridgford trailing amid low name recognition. Even so, Iowans expressed strong appetite for independent-minded representation, suggesting room for Bridgford to grow as the race continues.
Zooming In
A Close Race at the Top
Bohanna leads with 40% support, followed by Miller-Meeks at 35% and Bridgford at 11%, with 11% unsure. Fifty-three percent of voters who back Bridgford describe their support as somewhat rather than definite, a sign his coalition remains soft.
Low Name Recognition for the Independent Contender
Fifty-three percent of voters say they've never heard of Bridgford, compared with 4% for Bohanna and 1% for Miller-Meeks. That gap suggests his standing has room to shift as the campaign progresses and voters learn more about him.
Deep Appetite for Independent Representation
Despite Bridgford's low profile, 55% of voters say they'd prefer a House member who doesn't caucus with either major party, and a politically independent candidate earns 54% favorability district-wide, well above Bridgford's own personal numbers.
Data Snapshot
Party identification: 35% Republican, 34% independent, 30% Democrat
Favorability of a politically independent candidate: 54%
Independent Lens
The gap between Iowans' appetite for independent representation and Bridgford's current standing points to name recognition, not ideology, as his biggest hurdle. Whether he can close that gap before November is one of the district's key storylines heading into the fall.
