Former Democratic state representative Christina Bohanan suffered a significant loss in her last campaign for a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, missing nearly half of the votes cast in her final year, as documented by records. This absence is notable given her emphasis on the crucial nature of “leadership emerging” in the coming years. She missed 348 out of 773 floor votes in 2022, translating to about 45% of the total, according to Congressional records.
Bohanan is currently vying for the Iowa’s 1st Congressional District seat, a contest described as a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, as Republicans aim to hold onto a tight majority in the House ahead of November. Among the votes she skipped were critical bills concerning protections for sexual abuse survivors, volunteer firefighters, the Iowa dairy industry, agricultural programs, emergency services, and juvenile justice reform.
A spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Emily Tuttle, highlighted this discrepancy, stating, “Liberal Christina Bohanan says leaders should be ‘in attendance,’ but she herself will not be there.” She added that taking significant time off while receiving a taxpayer-funded salary reflects poorly on one’s leadership abilities.
This situation contrasts sharply with Bohanan’s previous assertions. For instance, she noted her honor to engage with over 100 voters at a forum representing five Iowa counties—a time she deemed crucial for leaders to engage with constituents directly. In a 2021 interview, Bohanan expressed her intention to commit substantial time to legislative duties while also focusing on her congressional campaign.
Having served one term in the Iowa House from 2021 to 2023, Bohanan is now making her third bid for the 1st Congressional District, which encompasses Davenport and Iowa City. She previously lost to incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks by approximately 7 points in 2022 and by about 800 votes after a recount in 2024.
During her time as a state representative, Bohanan’s annual salary was documented as $25,000, with an added daily stipend for additional days worked. She has been increasingly criticized for past remarks and her messaging aimed at middle-class voters on the campaign trail.
Bohanan’s statements have drawn particular scrutiny. She previously mentioned that Iowa might come off as “backward” regarding restrictions on diversity training and legislation affecting transgender athletes. Reports have also surfaced regarding her and her husband owning multiple properties, including a $1.55 million home in Iowa City and condos in Sarasota, Florida, raising questions about her alignment with the very struggles she claims to represent.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Bohanan’s campaign for a response.
