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:
NEWS: @RitaHartIA is withdrawing her challenge to the results in #IA02
— Tal Axelrod (@talstales) March 31, 2021
"After many conversations with people I trust about the future of this contest, I have made the decision to withdraw my contest before the House Committee on Administration." pic.twitter.com/uwW62BzN2A
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) initially agreed to provisionally seat Miller-Meeks while the election was examined.
However, she said that there is “of course” a chance that Miller-Meeks’ election victory could be overturned by the House.
Earlier this week, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) urged Pelosi to dismiss the challenge to the election.
In a letter to Pelosi, he said, “While you may have the ability through force of majority vote to disenfranchise Iowa voters and replace their selection with your own, Iowa’s voters, the American people, and every duly-elected Representative serving in this 117th Congress with the same certifications and credentials that Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, you, and I have deserve better.”